Last post we started talking about the names of things we use at Mass. Here’s part 2 of that. No real big theme here, or witty introduction...just more stuff and the proper names for them.
Sacramentary (SACK-ruh-MEN-tuh-ree) – from the Latin sacramentum, meaning “sacred rite,” and the suffix –ary, meaning “for the purpose of” – red book containing the formula for Mass, including the words spoken by the Priest, and the actions and responses by all the faithful gathered.
Lectionary (LECK-shun-air-ee) – from the Latin legere, meaning “to read” – book containing the scriptural readings used at Mass.
Book of the Gospels – from the English, Book of the Gospels, meaning “Book of the Gospels” – the book set apart to solely contain the Gospel Readings for Mass. This book is usually used only for Sunday Masses, or for more important Masses.
Ambo – from the Greek ambwn, meaning “step” or “elevate” – the platform/podium from which the deacon (or priest) reads the Gospel from.
Lectern (LECK-turn) – also from the Latin legere, meaning “to read” – podium from which the Old Testament Reading, the Psalm, and the Epistle are read. Some churches will only have one podium, from which all readings are read. Also, the deacon or priest is to give his homily (reflection of the daily scripture) from this location.
Monstrance (MON-strinse) – from the Latin monstrare, meaning “to show” (same origin of words like "demonstrate") – gold or silver stand-like object which holds the Eucharist in a center focal-point called the luna. Monstrances are used for Eucharistic Adoration (which will be explained in a later post).
Thurible (THUR-ih-bull) – from the Latin thuribulum, meaning “a vessel for burning incense” – oddly enough, the thurible is a vessel for burning incense (bet you never could’ve guessed that from its Latin word of origin). The thurible is a gold or silver metal container used for burning incense at Mass. The incense is singed on burning charcoal held in the thurible. The thurible is held on a chain so that it may be swung to spread incense smoke ceremoniously. Incense is used to symbolize our prayers rising (like smoke rises) to God, referencing verse 2 of Psalm 141 which says, “Let my prayer come before you like incense.” Some scholars believe that, since incense wasn’t documented as being used until the 400s or so, that the original intent for incense at Mass was to combat the smell of Mass-goers. See, people didn’t take daily showers back then, and they crammed into churches—often very hot churches because of candles (no electricity back then)—and you can imagine what a bunch of un-bathed people smelled like in a hot room.
Incense Boat – (like the Book of the Gospels) from the English Incense Boat, meaning ”Incense Boat” (Not as original of a joke this time around, but what can I say? I got lazy.) – the small container with a scoop that holds incense for use in the thurible.
Aspergillum (as-per-JILL-um) – from the Latin aspersere, meaning “to sprinkle” – a handle with a container attached to the tip that has holes for filling up with holy water that can then be sprinkled through the holes onto the faithful gathered at Mass as a reminder of the sprinkling of our Baptism.
Aspersorium (as-per-SORE-ee-um) – also from the Latin aspersere, meaning “to sprinkle” – the container that holds the holy water that the Aspergillum is dipped into for sprinkling.
NB: after Advent, the Sacramentary will again only be referred to as the Roman Missal. Perhaps you'll get to all that later.
ReplyDeleteYeah Father, I've been wondering if when I get to the parts of the Mass in the next week or so if i'm going to throw in the updates coming in Advent, or if I was going to wait until closer to the actual implementation of the updatesand tackle all the changes in their own post. Probably not a bad idea to do both now AND later. Thanks.
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