Pall—A blessed, stiff square piece of linen, sometimes decorated with a Cross or other embroidery, used to cover the Chalice to prevent impurities from falling into it. If it is embroidered or made of silk, the side touching the Chalice must be made of linen.

Another type of pall is the cloth used to cover coffins at Funeral or Requiem Masses.

Finger Towels—These may be made of any material (preferably linen) and are used at the lavabo and after Communion

Corporal—A blessed square linen cloth which is spread out by the priest in the middle of the Altar. From the Catholic Encylopedia, “after it [the corporal] is washed, bleached, and ironed, it is folded into three equal parts, both in its length and in its width, i.e. the anterior part is folded over the middle; then the posterior part is turned down over the anterior part; after this the part at the priest’s right is folded over the middle, and finally the part at the priest’s left is folded over these. The corporal is placed in the burse in such a manner that the edge of the last fold is towards the opening of the burse.”

Burse—A 10-inch square container to hold the Corporal. The burse covers the chalice before the Mass, with the opening of the burse facing toward the priest. (The leather pouch used to hold the pyx is also called a burse)

Credence table—A small table that is used to hold liturgical vessels. This table is located near the altar.

Sacrarium—A special sink that empties the liquid directly into the ground of the church. (It is the sink in the sacristy room that has no faucet).

Before Mass:

Inside the sacristy there is a tray containing a chalice and two communion cups already prepared. (Observe the setting of the tray). Bring the whole tray along with the cruets of wine and water to the credence table.

After Mass:

1. Snuff out the candles on the altar. Empty the handwashing bowl and put it back on the credence table.

2. Bring back the tray along with chalices and cruets. Put away the soiled purificators in the proper laundry drawer.

3. Fill the chalice or communion cups with water from the faucet and empty them into the sacrarium. (Tip: As you pour the chalice or cup, slowly turn it all the way around so that the water washes completely the inside edge of the chalice or cup). Go back to the other sink with the faucet, rinse the outside edge of the chalice and cups, and dry them with the white towel.

4. Place appropriate and clean purificators into the chalice and communion cups. Restore the tray to its original setting and put it back into the closet. If it is necessary, refill the cruets of wine and water and put them back into the refrigerator.

For Sunday Mass -

Before Mass:

Light the candles by the ambo.

(Note: The liturgical vessels are prepared and cleaned up by the Eucharistic Ministers).

After Mass:

Follow step 1 on weekday Mass.