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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH
OUR LITURGICAL ITEMS

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The Roman Missal (a.k.a Sacramentary)
(a.k.a. The Big Red Book)

The Sacramentary is the ritual book used during the celebration of the Eucharist. It contains all of the Introductory Rites, the Eucharistic Prayers and Prefaces, the Communion Rite as well as the Concluding Rites. Several supplements have also been published, which included several additional Eucharistic Prayers (all Vatican approved). A new Sacramentary has been in the wings for several years, awaiting approval from Rome.

Lectionary (a.k.a. The Other Big Red Book)

The Lectionary is the ritual book which contains all of the Readings used during the celebration of the Eucharist and Lay Led Liturgies. It comes in two fetching styles: Sundays and Solemnities (pictured at right) and Weekdays (2 volumes in Forest Green). The current lectionary is based on the NRSV translation. A revised lectionary is also waiting in the wings, again awaiting approval from Rome.

Sunday Celebrations of the Word and Hours
in the Absence of a Priest

Yes, another red ritual book! Thankfully, this one is much thinner than the previous two. This book contains the Order of Celebration for Sunday Celebrations of the Word in the Absence of a Priest: the Introductory Rites, the Proclamation of Praise, etc. It has been approved by Rome and is also used during any weekday liturgies when a lay person or a deacon presides. It is a very rich ritual book and contains several introductory rite options that have also been included in the draft sacramentary.

Rite of Christian Initiation

Finally, another colour! The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults contains all of the rites pertaining to the welcoming and initiation of older children and adults into the Catholic Church. The rituals contained herein are based on some of the earliest Christian rituals. Many of us think that infant baptism is the norm, but back in the Early Church, adult baptism was the norm. The ritual makes it clear that initiation into the Church is not a private Sunday afternoon affiar, but an event that should involve the entire community!

Hymnals (or Assembly Ritual Books!)

Alas, a different colour, but two books of the same colour. No longer can we say, please join us in #548 in the Green Hymnal! Our two hymnals are for YOU!!! Everybody has a voice, and the hymnals are there to ensure that each and every person can enter into the singing with full, conscious and active participation. God gave you your voice, why not use it to sing praise and thanks to the Creator!

Eucharistic Vessels

The Chalice and the Ciborium are used to contain and distribute the Blessed Sacrament during a Celebration of the Eucharist. The Chalice contains the Precious Blood and the Ciborium contains the Body of Christ. They are usually made of precious or semi-precious materials which are supposed to be resistant to corrosion or breakage. Ever wonder what Jesus used during the Last Supper? It probably wasn't gold, silver or crystal. More likely, simple pottery or wood.

Thurible or Censer

The Thurible is used to contain burning incense during certain high feast days of the church year, particularly at the Easter Vigil. Incense is a solidified mixture of resin and other sweet-smelling particles. The smoke rising from the burning incense symbolizes our prayers rising to heaven. Although the smoke is non-toxic, it can affect people with asthma or allergies. It's use during Church services is a matter of some debate at the present time.

Holy Water Font

Those of us who use the Freeman Street entrances, dip our fingers into this Holy Water Font at the side doors. Those of us entering at the back of the Church use the Baptismal Font itself. As we dip our fingers into the holy water and bless ourselves, we are remembering our baptism, when we were initiated into the Christian community "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Ashes

We use ashes on one day of the church year, Ash Wednesday, when we begin our journey through Lent. The ashes are made by burning old palms from the previous Passion Sunday. The ashes are a symbol of our repentance from our sins (in Jonah the Ninevites wore sackcloth and put ashes on their heads when they repented). The ashes are also a reminder to us, that, without God, we are nothing but dust.