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Altar Server Dictionary
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Alb – The white gown that you will wear just as the priest and deacon do.
Ambo (Lectern) – Where the Lector stands to read the Scripture readings and the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel.
Aspergillum – The liturgical instrument used to sprinkle people and objects with holy water.
Boat – A small liturgical vessel containing the incense that will be used with the thurible.
Chalice – A cup that Father will use to consecrate the wine into the Blood of Christ.
Ciborium – A cup, which looks similar to a chalice, but is used to store consecrated hosts in the Tabernacle. A Ciborium has a lid where as a chalice does not.
Cincture – A belt made out of cloth worn around your waist; it acts like a belt.
Corporal – A small cloth that sits on top of the altar where Father places the chalice, paten and flagon. Its purpose is to catch any small crumbs of the Blessed Sacrament that may fall onto the altar.
Credence Table – The table that has the chalices, Communion bowls or patens, finger bowl, water cruet and finger towel.
Cruet – The little pitcher that holds either water or wine for use during the Mass.
Finger Towel – A towel that Father will use to dry his hands.
Flagon (Flask) – The large glass decanter that holds the wine at Mass.
Lectionary Book – A large red book that contains the Scripture readings from each of the Gospels (contains only the Gospel readings).
Offertory Table – The table behind the last pew by the Boland entrance where the gifts are placed.
Paten – A small dish or bowl that holds the bread that will be used during Mass.
Purificators – The small towels that are used to clean the chalices during the distribution of the Precious Blood at Communion.
Sacramentary – The large red book from which Father prays during Mass.
Sacristan – The person who takes care of the sacred vessels and vestments used at Mass.
Sacristy – The portion of the Church building where the priests, deacons, servers and lectors meet to vest and prepare themselves for Mass.
Sanctuary – The area of the Church that contains the altar and the ambo.
Thurible – A metal vessel for the ceremonial burning of incense. The thurible is also known as a censer.
Thurifer – The one who carries the thurible and boat when needed.