Sacristan
Preparing the sacred space for the celebration of the Eucharist.
The mission of a Catholic sacristan is to ensure the good order and smooth functioning of the Mass by preparing the church for worship and caring for the sacred items used, including vessels, vestments, and linens, while also overseeing the cleaning and organization of the sacristy and altar areas. They serve as the quiet, behind-the-scenes support for the clergy and liturgical ministers, ensuring the celebration of the liturgy can be conducted with reverence and effectiveness.
Sacristan
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Who We Are
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Key Responsibilities
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Significance
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Who Can Serve
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How to Help
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Contacts and More
A sacristan’s role is to act as a caretaker of the sacristy and sanctuary, preparing the church for liturgical celebrations, such as Mass, by setting up sacred vessels, vestments, and other necessary items, and then cleaning and returning them to their proper places afterward. They ensure the availability of supplies for worship, assist the priest and liturgical ministers, and maintain the sanctity and order of the sacred spaces.
Key Responsibilities
- Preparation of the Sacristy and Sanctuary: The sacristan organizes and prepares the liturgical vestments (like the chasuble and alb), altar cloths, books (lectionary, Book of the Gospels), and candles for upcoming services.
- Eucharist Preparation: They prepare the hosts and wine for the Holy Eucharist, placing them in the appropriate vessels.
- Altar and Sanctuary Setup: This involves lighting the altar candles, arranging the sacred items on the altar and credences, and ensuring everything is clean and in its correct position.
- Supply Management: Sacristans ensure a ready supply of necessary items, including a fresh supply of consecrated hosts, duly authorized wine, clean corporals, purificators, and incense.
- Assisting Liturgical Ministers: They make sure that altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers arrive on time and are prepared for their roles.
- Post-Liturgical Duties: After Mass or other celebrations, the sacristan cleans the vessels, returns all items to storage, and ensures the sacristy is clean and organized.
- Maintenance: Sacristans also manage the maintenance of sacred spaces, which can include coordinating flower arrangements, cleaning holy water stoups, and caring for the sanctuary lamp.
- Coordination with External Parties: They may handle practical matters with funeral directors or photographers to ensure the church’s decorum is maintained during such services.
Significance of the Ministry:
- The sacristan’s role is considered a holy ministry, even though it involves mundane tasks. By enabling the holy work of others, the sacristan participates in the divine, ensuring that the sacred space and its elements are cared for and prepared for the faithful. This role demands a deep reverence for sacred space and a dedication to fostering a sense of holiness within the church community.
A Catholic sacristan is typically a practicing, confirmed Catholic, often 16 or 18 years or older, who is a registered parishioner and has a desire to serve the Church. They must have a good knowledge of the Mass and liturgical calendar, show reverence for sacred objects, and possess skills in organization and cleaning. While requirements can vary by parish and diocese, a sacristan’s role is to prepare the church and liturgical items for Mass and other services.
If you are interested in serving as a Sacristan, please call the Parish Office to arrange a conversation with our Sacristan Coordinator.
If you are not quite ready to serve as a Sacristan, but would like to support their efforts, help with the following tasks is greatly appreciated:
- Clean vigil lights
- Polish brass and bronze objects
- Clean Holy Water container
- Keep congregation books and pews in order
The Sacristan Coordinator will provide direction as to what each task entails.
Contacts:
- Jocelyn Sherman is our Sacristan Coordinator.
Please call the Parish Office at (717) 665-2465 to arrange for a conversation with Jocelyn.