Liturgical Nuts and Bolts Rev. J. Wesley Evans. Part IV: Objects

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1 Liturgical Nuts and Bolts Rev. J. Wesley Evans Part IV: Objects Altar The altar is the principal and largest object for the Eucharist. In the first several centuries of the Church they were more of a cube shape, only later becoming the elongated form today. 1 Altars should be kept as holy with as little as necessary ever placed upon them so as not to becoming cluttered. Traditionally altars are to be made with a stone top, and in lieu of an entire top a small stone square of mensa is the actual altar section. This stone top in either form is inscribed with five crosses on the corners and center representing the five wounds of Christ. In Roman Churches there is an place for relics to be stored under the stone which harkens back to when the Church would celebrate the Eucharist over the tombs of martyrs. Bells Bells are used for a variety of specific purposes, but in general they function are a way to alert or call attention to something important. They can also be used devotionally as a way to express joy and celebration. According to medieval folklore church bells would drive away storms. The several types of liturgical and devotional bells used: 1) Sanctus Bell The bell which is more common for most people. This is the bell that it rung during the Eucharist at specific times, except for the period during Maundy Thursday to the Great Vigil. There are some differences in the way that this is used. Lamburn argues for three times at the Sanctus, once before the consecration, three times for each elevation, and if needed once before the priest communicates. 2 The last ring is more functional in that it alerts the congregation that it is time to come to the altar rail. Michno, on the other hand, argues for the bells usage similar to Lamburn but drops the one before the consecration and adds one during the doxology and great amen. 3 One reason for the difference would be that Lamburn is operating off of the 1662 BCP with Anglo-Catholic additions, whereas Michno s ritual actions are designed for the Gregory Dix The Shape of the Liturgy ECR Lamburn Ritual Notes 59 3 Dennis Michno A Priest s Handbook 56 Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 1

2 American BCP. This would explain the final ring, as the rite Lamburn is using does not have a great amen equivalent. The dropping of the ring before consecration may also be due to a desire to leave aside the question of when exactly during the Eucharistic Prayer that the elements change. These bells are also often used as the Blessed Sacrament is being processed as well as during the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 2) Church Bell (Also for Angelus) Bells that hang in Church towers often used as a call to worship. Sometimes they may b used to keep time as well and so function as the community clock. One of the traditional western uses is as the Angelus Bell. In early morning, noon, and about 6pm the bells can be rung to call for the saying of the Angelus in honor of the incarnation. If not three times a day, then at least as a noonday prayer. During the Angelus the bell is traditionally rung first in a set of three, three times in succession, then one set of nine. 4 3) Vestry Bells Small set of three bells hung at the entrance(s) to the sanctuary that can be rung by the priest to indicate he is entering. 4) Sacring Bell This bell is not used as much anymore but was an older medieval tradition. It was hung outside of the Church and rung three times at each elevation of the elements to announce it was time to make an act of adoration. 5 5) Hand Bells Not to be confused with the musical instrument. These are small bells that can be held in the hand and rung by the people in celebration. Commonly used for the Great Vigil. Candles and Fire Fire and light are used in various Christian ritual contexts. Symbolically they often represent Christ who is the light of the world, and who dispels the darkness. (1 John 1:4-5) Christians also are described in scripture as children of light and not of darkness. (1 Thess 5:5) In the early Church, although no lights were placed on the altar, the evening lamps took on this symbolism. 6 This usage itself derived from Jewish custom of blessing the lamp for the ritual evening meal. 7 By the 9 th century candles started being placed on altars, 8 but it was not until altars went from being cubes to wider that candles started to be 4 Ibid Ibid Howard Galley Ceremonies of the Eucharist, 8 7 The Shape of the Liturgy, 87, Ibid. 419 Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 2

3 multiplied on top. 9 Liturgical candles should be made of beeswax according to tradition, 10 but in practice most are now oil lamps shaped as candles. However, the Pascal Candle should still always be made of beeswax whenever possible. There are several variations of fire used: 1) Office Candles/Altar (Eucharistic) Candles The distinction between these two did not develop until the post-reformation revival in lights during the 19 th century. 11 Modern usage dictates the office candles are the six behind the altar on either side of the cross, and the altar candles are two larger ones either on the altar or close to the sides. Office candles are used for all services, whereas the altar candles are only used for celebrations of the Eucharist. Various rules have developed concerning the number of office candles to be lit at any given time. In practice all six are now lit for all services, however in the case of the Diocesan Bishop presiding a seventh is added behind the cross. 12 2) Processional Candles Roman imperial custom involved carrying candles before dignitaries, later Bishops would take up the same tradition and this developed into our processional candles. 13 Processional candles can be used in any procession to display the dignity of what is between them, or being processed with them. In a general procession two acolytes flank a processional cross. Processional crosses often have glass tubes around the flame to shield it from the wind. 3) Sanctuary Lamps Hanging lamps with candles are used to either hang from the ceiling or be attached near a tabernacle or ambry with the 9 Ibid Ceremonies of the Eucharist Ibid. 12 Ritual Notes, 8. Also see this page for additional rules on number of candles to light, although these are rarely followed in modern services. 13 ECR Lamburn Behind Rite and Ceremony 13 Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 3

4 Blessed Sacrament. This is one of the only lights that is burned continually in the Church and signifies Christ s presence in the Sacrament. 4) Mortuary Lights Candles for requiem and burial offices usually made of wood. These candles surround or flank the coffin as a sign of respect for the dead. This usage follows the early Church who followed the common cultural custom of the day. 14 Candles used in this manner should, if possible, be unbleached and not white. 15 5) Paschal Candle Liturgically, the Pascal Candle is the most sacred of the types of fire. This candle was from earliest times a symbol of the presence of Christ. 16 The Paschal Candle is lit from the New Fire of Easter each year and is part of the Great Vigil liturgy. There is a special ritual of blessing involved in this Candle. It is inscribed with a cross, then an A and W, then the year. Afterwards five grains of incense are placed in the cross representing the five wounds of Christ. The Candle is processed by the Deacon before the chanting of the Exultet. During the period from Easter until Ascension the Candle should be placed on the Gospel side with the incense grains facing liturgical West. 17 During this time it is lit for all liturgical services. After Ascension it is removed from near the Sanctuary and placed next to the Baptismal Font. It should not be lit, however, for any services which are mournful such as (traditionally) requiems, or any service with purple or black color vestments. 14 The Shape of the Liturgy Ritual Notes Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs Ritual Notes Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 4

5 6) Advent Candles Starting in 16 th century Germany the Advent wreath and candles developed as a popular devotion for the four Sundays of the season. 18 The four candles follow the traditional four seasonal colors, 2 purple, 1 rose for Gaudate Sunday, and one final purple. The white Christ candle in the middle is actually a separate tradition that has been combined with the wreath. 19 It represents Christ as the light of the world. 7) Votive Candles Candles are often frequently used for votive purposes, either in honor of a saint and/or to represent a prayer. Lighting lamps at the tombs of martyrs in their was established by the end of the 4 th century. 20 Votive candles as a prayer are in a sense sacramental. They physically represent the prayer of the person who lit it. 8) Hand Candles Small candles that can be held in one hand for candlelight services. Often used only for Christmas and particularly Easter, where each persons is lit from the Pascal Candle. 9) New Fire of Easter This is the new fire of the Christian year, lit on Easter Vigil from which the Paschal Candle is lit. This custom started in Ireland, by St. Patrick according to tradition, as a method to compete with the druids spring bonfires. 21 Eventually this tradition spread throughout Europe and was common by the end of the 9 th century ) St. Blaise Candles St. Blaise feast day is February 3 rd and as the patron of throat ailments a tradition developed of blessing throats on his fest day. This blessing involves using two candles blessed specifically for this purpose which are then crossed in front of the throat while the blessing of the throat is said. 11) Bonfires There are some traditional feasts that feature bonfires as part of the celebration. Two examples are the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and St. Brigid. 18 Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs See information on the Christmas candle in Ibid The Shape of the Liturgy Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs Ibid. Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 5

6 Eucharistic Implements Chalice The Chalice is the container for the wine of the Eucharist. It is the centerpiece of the main Eucharistic implements in a stack of objects placed on the altar. This consists of the Chalice, Purificator, Paten, a Host for consecration, Pall, Veil, Burse with a Corporal. Paten The plate on which the brad hosts for the Eucharist are held. Normally designed to fit on top of a matching Chalice. Ciborium Similar to the Chalice, a cup that contains the hosts. Unlike the Chalice, the Ciborium had a lid. Theca Technical term for the Breadbox that can store unconsecrated hosts before Communion. Pyx A Pyx can either be two things. Normally it is the small container that can be used to carry the Sacrament for house and hospital visitations. It can also be the term for a hanging tabernacle. Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 6

7 Tabernacle The housing chamber behind the altar to store the Blessed Sacrament. When present, this forms the focal point of the Sanctuary. If this is off to the side and installed in the wall it is called an Aumbry. Corporal A large square linen cloth on which the Blessed Sacrament is concentrated on the Altar. This cloth is folded so as to fit in the Burse. It is folded in such a way that unfolded produces nine squares. On the bottom center square is some sacred emblem. Pall A stiff, rigid, and somewhat thicker linen square used to cover the Chalice on the altar. It must be strong enough to support the Veil and Burse on top. Purificator Piece of square linen used to wipe the Chalice at the Eucharist. Like the corporal it is folded, but in this case remains so. It also typically has a sacred emblem embroidered so that when folded the emblem is on the middle square. Lavabo Bowl and Towel These objects are used to purify the priests fingers before the Eucharistic Prayer. The bowl catches the water as it is poured and the fingers are wiped with the towel. The name comes from the latin for I will wash which is the beginning of the traditional prayer said at this point. The towel is more rectangular and so should not be confused with a purificator. Burse There are two types of burse. The first is a folded rigid linen object that opens like a book to hold the corporal inside. This should be decorated to match the Veil. The second is a small container that can hang over the neck to hold a Pyx. Veil The thick, decorated linen cover for the stack of Chalice and Paten that matches the color of the Eucharist. Cruet Small glass vials used to hold the water and wine. Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 7

8 Other Objects Humeral Veil Used primarily during the Rite of Benediction but also can be used during the Eucharist. 23 Other usage is frequently during any procession of the sacred host. The Veil is designed to go over the shoulders and long enough to cover the hands. To carry or hold the Sacrament with the Veil the object is held covered by the folds of the Veil. Monstrance/Ostensorium A Special implement for exposing the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. The Host is secured with a piece called a Luna or Lunette that fits inside the Monstrance. Thurible and Incense Boat The thurible is an censer for incense on chains that can be swung easily. The incense boat holds the incense needed. Aumbry Similar to a Tabernacle but built into the wall. Aumbries can also be used to house the Holy Oils, and if so may be connected to the Baptistery if there is one. The Holy Oils are always, in fact, to be stored in an Aumbry of some type but never in a Tabernacle. Palms The Palms used on Palm Sunday started in seed form in 4 th century Jerusalem. 24 Although it was not until the 8 th century Bobbio Missal of any indication for a rite of solemn blessing of palms. 25 This was originally a separate rite all its own leading up to the liturgy of Palm Sunday, but later turned into the preparation for the procession. 26 These blessed Palms are traditionally carried home and placed on crosses, icons, or even door frames. In some parts of Europe they were placed in fields as a form of asking for God s blessing. 27 In the Americas there is also a tradition of folding the palms in the shapes of crosses. 23 See Ritual Notes for instructions during a Eucharist. 24 Weiser Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs Ibid. 26 Lamburn Behind Rite and Ceremony Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs 192 Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 8

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10 Ashes Ashes are used as a symbol of penitence and contrition. Their only usage is for Ash Wednesday, a custom that likely started in 6 th century Gaul. 28 They traditionally made from the Palms of the previous Palm Sunday. The Palms are dried, burned in a suitable place and the ashes collected. The ashes then get sifted to break down the larger pieces before being ground into a powder. 29 Aspergillum and Aspersorium An aspergillum is a holy water sprinkler and a aspersorium is a container for holy water for use with the aspergillum. The aspergillum us typically either a metal tube that can contain Holy Water itself with a sprinkler head, or is just a sprinkler head with a sponge that can be dipped in the aspersorium. In place of this often a plant spring such as yew is used as a aspergillum. Banner Religious Banners can be used in processions for various reasons. Banners either precede the Thurifer or follow the officiant. If banners of secular or civil authorities are used they should not enter the sanctuary proper. 30 Also, it is a custom in some places for secular flags, including those of the nation state, to dip at the Altar, though the banner carriers are not required to genuflect due to practical concerns. 28 Behind Rite and Ceremony See A Priest s Handbook Ritual Notes 22 Rev. J. Wesley Evans Liturgical Nuts and Bolts 10