Around and About
a Catholic Church		 A Tour of
Corpus Christi Church
Clifton Nottingham

The Sacristy

The Sacristy is a room annexed to a church used to store sacred vessels and other materials used in the liturgy and to provide a place for priests and other ministers to vest and prepare for liturgical celebrations.

Details of some of the vestments worn by the priest are given below.
The priest wears a long white garment known as an Alb(albus is the latin word for white), symbolic of the total purity that should cover one's approach to God.

Over the alb is worn a Stole. This is a long, thin band of appropriate material worn around the neck and shoulders, symbolic of "the yoke of the Lord". It is worn by the priest in solemn celebration of all the sacraments. When worn at Mass it is the colour of the day (see Sanctuary - Mass Colours)
Over the alb and stole the priest wears a Chasuble which is a long sleeveless outer garment. Traditionally, the chasuble is a symbol of charity.
The humeral veil is a rectangular shawl worn around the shoulders and used to cover the hands. It is used in Eucharistic processions and devotions when the priest has to hold the ciborium or monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.


Click below to
Return to Tour Plan Return to Web Homepage