Archdiocese of Los Angeles Guidelines for Sacristan Ministry

For liturgy to be engaging and to call forth full, conscious and active participation from the assembly, careful preparation and organization is necessary. In the light of the participatory quality of the liturgy, everyone attending trusts that those involved in the leadership roles are preparing effectively and thoroughly. This trust makes it possible for the community to act as one body and pray themselves together into the vision of God’s Kingdom.

“To celebrate the liturgy without preparation is a violation of God’s holy presence and a crime against those who gather to celebrate that presence.” (Fr. Austin Fleming p. 32 Preparing for Liturgy: A Theology and Spirituality)

In every parish, this careful preparation begins with the sacristan, the person or persons who have responsibility for the reverent care of the liturgical books, vessels, vestments, linens and all other objects used in the community’s ritual prayer. A well-organized sacristy is the beginning of a well-organized liturgy.

In some parishes, the sacristan is one individual with a great deal of responsibility, taking care of the details for all Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses. In other parishes, there might be a different trained sacristan for each Sunday Mass, and one for the daily Masses. Whichever the case, the sacristy and all liturgical properties need to be prepared effectively so that Mass can be celebrated with a holy unity.

Suggestion: One possible structure that seems to help keep things authentic and effective is organizing Sunday liturgies by Mass captains. The Mass captain could be the trained sacristan for whichever Mass they are assigned, preparing all the sacramental details. They could also be the contact person for all assigned liturgical ministers at that Mass. The team of assigned liturgical ministers would check in with the Mass captain/sacristan upon arrival.

All unassigned ministers who are present, willing and early to Mass, could be asked to check in with the Mass captain/sacristan upon arrival in case their services are needed as replacements. The Mass captain/sacristan would then be responsible to replace any assigned minister who is not present fifteen minutes before the start of Mass with one of those who is willing to serve.

Merging the role of the sacristan with that of a Mass captain allows for the orderly preparation of the sacred properties and the ministers. The Mass captain/sacristan would bring everyone together into a reverent unity of purpose and prayer.

The Sacristy and the Worship Space The sacristan is the minister who prepares the sanctuary and many of the objects used in worship.

Sacristans maintain an organizational plan in the sacristy for all vessels, books, linens, vestments, hosts, wine, oils, incense, and candles, that is clean and efficient.

Some sacristans are even responsible for the cleaning of the altar area, statues, pews, etc., maintaining the order and beauty of the worship space, in addition to the sacristy itself.

Other points of attention for the sacristan in the worship space: the altar, the ambo, the presider’s chair (and the deacon’s chair), baptismal font, the tabernacle, the credence table, the sanctuary lamp, the ambry (the cabinet holding the sacred oils)

However vast or small the tasks, the role of the sacristan is essential to parish life. Their work reflects a holy presence, among holy people, in a holy place.

Requirements to be a Sacristan • A sense of reverence for the holy presence of God in all things and all people • Be an active and prayerful member of the parish community. • Have preliminary knowledge of the Mass and the liturgical year • Be punctual • Have the ability of working alone, yet also capable of working as a member of a team • Be flexible and able to take initiative • Be comfortable working behind the scenes at the service of the community

The sacristan is called to apply his/her own prayerful spirit to the preparation of all the physical properties that are needed for parish liturgy. The sacristan cares for the physical objects and that will carry the mystery of the sacred presence of God.

Possible Responsibilities of the Sacristan Before Mass Every parish has different procedures for setting up for Mass. The following list is a generalization of what the sacristan’s before-Mass responsibilities might be. • Unlock the building, bathrooms and sacristy • Turn on the sound system and turn on the heating or air conditioning, if needed. • Put out all necessary microphones • Check the Ordo to properly set the lectionary readings and presider prayers in the Roman Missal • If a deacon will be participating at Mass, the Book of the Gospels will need to properly set, also. • Lay out the chasuble and stole for the presider. Check the Ordo for the correct liturgical color. • Fill the ciborium with the appropriate number of hosts. • Fill the wine pitcher with the appropriate amount. • Take the ciborium and wine pitcher to the gift table. • Light the altar candles • Put the appropriate number of cups/small chalices, each with a purificator, and the appropriate number of ciboria on the credence table • Place the corporal on the credence table • Place the presider’s chalice on the credence table with a purificator. • Place the ablution bowl with pitcher filled with water, and a towel on the credence table (for the presider to wash his hands). • Fill the small cruet with a bit of water and place on the credence table (the presider adds this to the wine before it is consecrated) • A cruet of water might be needed on the credence table for the purifying of the chalices after the sharing in communion. • Check the liturgical ministry schedule and be sure that all assigned ministers have checked in at least 15 minutes prior to the Mass time. If they have not signed in five minutes before Mass, find a substitute. • Be sure that all who are in the opening procession have whatever worship aid is used for the assembly’s sung prayer • Be sure a copy of the Universal Prayer is at the ambo

Possible Responsibilities of the Sacristan After Mass • Assist the Eucharistic Ministers with the cleaning of the vessels • Be sure all vessels, ritual books and vestments are put back in their proper place © Copyright 2018 Joan Patano Vos

• Or, if another Mass follows, leave the vessels, books and vestments where the next sacristan of ministers will expect to find them. • If it has been the last Mass of the day, or for the time being, be sure to turn off the lights and the sound system. Put away all sound equipment. • If it is the last Mass of the day, be sure to lock the sacristy, bathrooms and church building.

Possible Responsibilities of the Head Sacristan • Have the vestments and albs dry cleaned or laundered, when necessary • Monitor the laundering and cleaning of linens-purificators, corporals, lavabo towels and altar cloths • Have the albs laundered, when necessary • Place the order for additional hosts or wine, when needed • Place the order for ashes for Ash Wednesday and palms for Palm Sunday • Place orders for all candle supplies (tabernacle light, vigil tapers, baptismal candles, votive candles, lighters, pots of sand, wood tapers) and for the new Paschal Candle each year • Know where the fire extinguishers and IED are stored, and how to operate them • Know and post all necessary emergency contact information • Keep incense, charcoal, lighters and foil well stocked • Monitor the supply and use of pyx and bursers for Communion to the Sick • Design checklists with the items needed for each of the different celebrations • Care for the candlesticks, bells, processional cross, etc. • Suggestion: Post photos inside cupboards that show the look of your organization so that others can maintain the same order.

Sacristan Ministry in Preparation for Special Liturgies Every parish has many occasions for special liturgies. The Triduum requires the greatest amount of extra preparation. It is the most important celebration of the year. It is one movement of prayer that runs from sundown Holy Thursday to sundown on Easer Sunday.

Holy Thursday • During the day, the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle. Any remaining reserved sacrament is kept in another place, probably the sacristy, during the Triduum. Wherever it is kept, place a lighted candle nearby so that people will know that the reserved sacrament is present. The doors of the tabernacle remain open so that all can see the emptiness, and the sanctuary light is extinguished • Holy Thursday will need the new sacred oils prepared for presentation. These oils will have been received by the pastor or another a member of the parish at the Chrism Mass at the cathedral earlier in the week. • This Evening of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper include the ritual Washing of Feet. The appropriate number of chairs, basins, pitchers of water and towels will be needed. • The Liturgy of the Eucharist proceeds as usual. • The presider will need the humeral veil for the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose. The incense boat and thurifer will also be needed. • The sacristan is often responsible for setting up the Altar of Repose and organizing the clearing of the altar at the end of the Mass. Remove flowers, candles, altar cloth and any other decorations quietly and reverently.

• All candles are extinguished on this day. • No water is in the fonts at the doors of the church • The sacristan will need to prepare the cross that will be venerated at the liturgy, as well as the candles that will be placed around the altar for Holy Communion. • The red humeral veil will need to be ready for the presider to use when he brings the Blessed Sacrament to the altar for the Communion Rite.

The Easter Vigil The Easter Vigil has five parts: the Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, the Baptismal Rite, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rite. • In addition to preparing Mass, as usual, the sacristan will need to help prepare the Easter Fire, the new Paschal Candle, the tapers candles for the assembly. • For the baptismal rites, the necessary ritual book, and the catechumenal oil and sacred chrism will need to be set up at the font. The sacristan will also need to set up a vessel of water and aspergillum/sprinkler for the sprinkling rite. • The sacristan may be the one responsible for reserving seating for the elect and their families. • The sacristan may also be responsible for handling the lighting: darkness during the Service of Light, with the electrical lights going on at some point before or during the Liturgy of the Word.

Easter Season During the Easter season, a sprinkling rite is included at every Mass. The bowls for holy water will need to be placed at the font, and an aspergillum or bunched branches to serve the same purpose. Find out in advance how many ministers will be participating in the sprinkling, and have the appropriate number of bowls and aspergillum available.

Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ If your parish has the tradition procession with the Blessed Sacrament on this day, the presider will need a cope and humeral veil.

Season of Advent In preparation for the season of Advent, the sacristan might be responsible for setting up the Advent wreath. This symbol is really a domestic one, so its presence in the church need not be prominent, and should never overwhelm the main liturgical action or focal points in the space. For Holy Days of Obligation, Mass is prepared as usual.

Season of Christmas There are no special preparations for this season. Parishes might have the tradition of carrying the nativity image of the baby Jesus in the opening procession on Christmas Eve, and placing it in the creche scene. The sacristan might need to facilitate this ritual. If there are overflow Masses in the parish hall on Christmas Day, the sacristan should train and assign another person to serve as sacristan for that Mass. It would be unwise to attempt to serve both Mass locations.

Season of Lent Ash Wednesday Mass or Liturgy of the Word are set up as usual. This day will require the extra set up of and appropriate number of small bowls filled with ashes, as well as bowls of soapy water and towels for the ministers to wash their hands afterwards. The remainder of the season is Mass as usual. © Copyright 2018 Joan Patano Vos

Other feasts and memorials occur most often on weekdays. The head sacristan might be responsible for preparing the following days: Presentation of the Lord, February 2 The sacristan will need to have all the various types of candles for the year ready to be blessed. This is the day when the church traditionally blesses all the candles to be used throughout the year – altar candles, processional candles, votive candles, etc.

Optional Memorial of St. Blasé, February 3 This day includes the traditional Blessing of Throats. The sacristan will need to prepare sets of two candles, tied together at the bottom with a red ribbon. These crossed candles are placed on the shoulders of each person to bless their throat. Preparing prayer cards with the text of the blessing would be helpful.

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4 Often on this feast, or sometime near the date, a parish will hold a Blessing of Animals. People bring all sorts of pets to be blessed. This is best held outside. The sacristan will just need to be sure that the presider has the appropriate book of blessing.

The Dedication of St. John Lateran, November 9 On this feast, it is appropriate to light the dedication candles in your church, if you have them.

For civic holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July), the sacristan prepares Mass as usual.

Thanksgiving Day Mass Mass is prepared as usual for this day. If the parish chooses to have a special Blessing of Food, the sacristan will need to set up that table and decorate it appropriately.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12 • The sacristan will need to set up the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the worship space, if a permanent image does not already exist. • Vases for the roses that participants bring in the opening procession will need to be set up near the image. • Mass is set up as usual.

Other Liturgies: Funerals For funerals, the following will likely be needed: • a bowl of water and aspergillum/sprinkler • pall (white cloth that will cover the casket) • incense boat and thurifer • the Paschal Candle (which is lit before each of the Funeral Rites) • If cremated remains are present, rather than a casket, a small table is set up at the location at head of the pews (where the casket would normally be). The cremated remains should be in a beautiful vessel. No white pall is used on cremated remains.

Weddings • Mass or a Liturgy of the Word are set up as usual. • Kneelers and special chairs for the bride, groom and witnesses may need to be set in place.

• A tray for the blessing of the rings will be needed, along with a vessel of holy water and an aspergillum/sprinkler.

Anointing of the Sick at Mass For an Anointing of the Sick at Mass, the sacristan will need to set up the oil of the sick, and an appropriate means for the priests to clean their hands afterwards (water, lemon juice and towel)

First Communion First Communion is a Eucharistic Liturgy, so the sacristan’s responsibilities are the same as for Sunday Mass.

Confirmation The Confirmation Liturgy will need the extra set up of the sacred chrism, and a means by which the bishop can clean his hands afterwards (water, lemon juice and towel). Extra chairs may be needed in the sanctuary for the Bishop’s Master of Ceremonies, as well as for other priests and deacons.

Liturgy of the Hours For the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer would only require the set-up of prayer books and worship aids. Evening Prayer would require the set-up of prayer books, worship aids and the Paschal Candle.

Penance Services The sacristan might be called upon to set up various stations for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This would consist of two chairs placed close together, facing each other, one for the priest and one for the individual confessing. These stations should be placed in a way that allows for the maximum amount of privacy.

Other Books There are additional books used at liturgy, other than the ritual books. The sacristan is responsible for the care and upkeep of these books, also. • The Book of the Elect is where those to be baptized sign their names in preparation for their participation in the Rite of Election at the cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent. • Many parishes have a Book of Remembrance on display during the month of November, the month of the Holy Souls, where community members can inscribe the names of friends and family who have died, to be remembered in our prayers throughout the month. • Many parishes have a Book of Intentions on display throughout the year where community members can inscribe prayer requests.

Other Supplies It would be a great benefit to the sacristan to have a box of cleaning supplies always stocked and ready for use. Other necessary equipment is an iron and board, steamer, extension cords, rags, broom and dust pan As well as a box of supplies for decorating, such as tape, wire, scissors, measuring tape, pins, etc. Pencils, pens and paper should be available in a designated place in the sacristy.

Final Note: Communion Count The sacristan may be called upon to keep record of the communion count at each Mass. Keeping record of how many hosts are needed at each Mass will facilitate maintaining an appropriate amount of the reserved sacrament for taking communion to the sick and homebound. Many parishes have gotten into a regular procedure of one eucharistic minister at Mass being assigned to go to the tabernacle at the start of the Communion Rite to bring to the altar a ciborium filled with the reserved sacrament to be shared at that Mass. © Copyright 2018 Joan Patano Vos

This procedure reflects an inaccurate understanding of the sharing in communion, as well as of the reason why we hold any amount of the blessed sacrament in reserve. At each Mass celebrated, participants should be sharing in the bread and wine consecrated at that Mass, not the reserved sacrament. The reason we reserve the blessed sacrament is for sharing in communion with the sick and homebound. Granted, it is difficult to maintain an accurate communion count in today’s world where people move about regularly, and it is hard to predict how many people will be at Mass. As a result, many parishes have gotten into the habit of choosing what is an easier answer to the problem, rather than attempting whatever it takes to maintain the fullness of everyone’s participation in the sacrament. The General instruction of the Roman Missal offers the following directive on this issue: It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the Priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s Body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the cases where this is foreseen, they partake of the chalice, so that even by means of the signs Communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated.” (No. 85)