Sacristans work behind the scenes to prepare for the celebration of masses, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. They also help prepare the worship spaces for the celebration of the sacraments by polishing, light cleaning, and watering plants.
The Sanctuary Team maintains the Sanctuary and vessels and prepares the altar area for worship.
If you feel called to this ministry or are interested in volunteering please contact the Parish office at 202-250-8208 or 202-526-8822.
Sanctuary- The sanctuary in any church, mosque or synagogue is a place of holiness. In the Catholic church we refer to the sanctuary as the consecrated area around the tabernacle or altar. Generally it is an area that the congregation attending Mass will not enter.
Altar – The altar is where the holy sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated. At the hands of the presiding priest, and the actions of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine we offer become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. There should be only one central altar in each church, this signifying one Christ and one Eucharist of the Church. The altar should be covered in at least one white cloth and nothing should be placed on the altar except what is needed for liturgical celebrations. Candlesticks and a crucifix are the only items that should remain on the altar when it is not in use. The altar should be located where it is positioned centrally in the main congregation space and have walking space around it so the presiding priest faces the congregation during the Eucharistic celebration. CCC 1182. (Catechism of the Catholic Church).
Ambo – Coming from a Greek word meaning elevation, an ambo (or lectern) is the place where the Scripture of the Liturgy of the Word is read. In some larger churches you might see an ambo from which the readings are spoken and a second elevated pulpit where the Gospel is proclaimed and homily delivered. The Catechism states” The dignity of the Word of God requires the church to have a suitable place for announcing His message so that the attention of the people may be easily directed to that place during the Liturgy of the Word.” CCC 1184.
Lectionary – The lectionary is the book located at the ambo from which the Liturgy of the Word readings are spoken at Mass. Since Vatican II, the 4 passages of scripture are an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament reading, and the Gospel. The Alleluia verse before the Gospel is either sung or not proclaimed at all. Our liturgical year begins at Advent and continues until the following December. Since Vatican II, we have 3 liturgical years which divides the scripture readings to be delivered at Mass. Currently, we are in year C, which focuses on the Gospel of Luke on Sundays. During the week in year C, the Gospel of Mark is spoken frequently. Not to be too confusing, but the daily lectionary readings are in a 2-year cycle. We hear from the ambo in a daily mass an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, and the Gospel. There isn’t a New Testament reading unless it is considered a high feast day.
Presider’s Chair- The presider’s chair is where the presiding priest leading a liturgy sits in the sanctuary during a liturgy. Presider comes from a Latin word praesidere, which literally means to sit in front of. If there is any con-celebrant priest or deacon in the same liturgy they would be sitting in chairs on either side of the presiding chair. CCC 1184.
Roman Missal – The Roman missal contains the prayers that the presiding priest prays during the Mass liturgies. There have been various editions and multiple revisions throughout the history of the Catholic Church. Since Vatican II, there have only been minor changes made. One of those changes is the expansion of the Eucharistic prayers for a priest to select; these are the Consecration prayers. The missal contains all the prayers for various liturgies, such as daily Mass, Sunday Mass, a funeral Mass and a mass devoted to Our Lady, among many others. The missal is the red book that an altar server brings to priest in the presiding chair at the beginning and end of each Mass liturgy. It is the same book the presiding priest uses on the altar for the Consecration.
Sanctuary Lamp- You can’t speak of the tabernacle without the sanctuary lamp. Also known as the eternal flame or perpetual flame, the sanctuary lamp, is kept alight to signify Christ present in the tabernacle. “In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of Christ. (Roman Missal 316). Traditionally it set in a red votive. It is either hung above or placed beside the tabernacle in a stand.
Tabernacle – This is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “dwelling place” or “residence.” The tabernacle is the place where the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved. The tabernacle should be “in a most worthy place with the greatest honor…and should foster adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament” CCC 1183. In the early church, “the tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent, outside of mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in His Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species” CCC 1379.