Ok TRC readers, now we’re REALLY wrapping up our series on the actual names of things. Yesterday’s post was only three items long, but they were some pretty big items.
Paschal Candle – from the Hebrew pesah, meaning “Passover” – the candle brought forth at the Easter Vigil every year to symbolize the “Light of Christ” being brought into the world. The “Paschal” portion comes from the “Paschal” season (which we’ll explain further in a later post on the seasons of the liturgical year) which happens around the Jewish feast of “Passover.” The Paschal candle is lit for Masses during the Easter Season, during Baptisms, and during Funerals.
Baptismal Font – special stand for performing baptisms in present-day churches. Originally, baptisms were performed in natural bodies of water (trust me…it’s in the Bible), then over time churches built separate buildings specifically designed for performing baptisms called Baptistries, which were essentially large indoor pools with stairs leading into the water on one end and out of the water on the other, with the baptism being done by full immersion (dunking) in the middle. Today, baptisms are performed by pouring water on the head of the person to be baptized, with the water falling in and being collected by the baptismal font.
Holy Oils – in each church there is generally a reverent storage place for keeping the parish’s Holy Oils, which include the Oil of the Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism. These oils are blessed by the bishop of each diocese at the Chrism Mass, which traditionally is celebrated on Holy Thursday (Thursday before Easter); although, it has recently seen a shift in many areas to be celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week (week beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating with Easter). Why oil? Oil is very practically used in life to sweeten, preserve, and strengthen. In a similar, yet more symbolic way, oil is used Sacramentally with the same general goals. The Oil of the Catechumens is used in the ordination of priests, the coronation of kings and queens, the blessing of Churches, consecration of Altars, and in Baptism (mixed with water). The Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick in the context of the Sacrament of, well, Anointing of the Sick (go figure…). Finally, the Sacred Chrism (threw you off with the lack of the word “oil,” didn’t I? Don’t worry, it’s also referred to as the Oil of Gladness.) is used Confirmation, Baptism, the consecration of a Bishop, and the consecration of other holy objects such as churches, chalices, patens, and bells.
Confessional – the room or booth-like structure (which could be located at a number of different locations within your parish church) where you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (a.k.a. confession) in a private area, either face-to-face, or from behind a privacy screen. Reconciliation will get its own post (or more likely, SERIES of posts) later, but for now, just remember that you CAN receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Confessional, but you can also receive the Sacrament walking through the park with your priest…all about what you’re comfortable and most open with.
Sacrarium – a special sink located in the Sacristy used for purifying sacred vessels used for the Eucharist. The sink is specially designed to drain straight into the ground, rather than into the sewer system because when cleaning the sacred Eucharistic vessels, pieces of the Body of Christ and droplets of the Blood of Christ typically are left over after the “quick purification” done by the priest or deacon after Communion. Instead of being unnervingly disrespectful by dumping Jesus down the same drain as, well, when my 3-year-old goes potty, we pour the water used in cleaning these vessels down the Sacrarium and have the Eucharist respectfully deposited in the earth.
So there you have it. I’ve probably left out a few little objects here or there, but I’ve done my best to hit on the “main” ones most people see every Sunday when we go to Mass. Speaking of Mass, I’ve been wondering where we’d be moving to next on this blog, and although I was trying to think of a way to put it off, I think it’s inevitable that the next set of posts needs to be about the Mass. So stay tuned (probably to the next month of posts) to see what we do during Mass, why we do it, and most importantly (especially to my Protestant friends who have been following) where we get the Mass from the Bible. I’ll also mention related topics as we go along such as sin, transubstantiation, the updates to the Roman Missal that will be coming into effect this Advent, and why you don’t need to waste your money at a gym if you’re engaging in your weekly Catholic aerobics of sitting, standing, and kneeling.
Please remember that if you want to make a comment or ask a question about this post, use the comment option below rather than commenting on my Facebook page. I’d like to address people’s questions and challenges, but I’d like other people who might have the same question to see the answers we provide here.
Peace.
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