This concludes the discussions of the ecclesiastical
equipment used for Catholic Holy Mass. We discussed items which you, the
chaplain assistant, will have to place in the proper position in the chapel, as
well as those vestments the chaplain will wear. We will now move to preparing
and setting up the Quirino Grandstand for a Catholic Holy Mass.
1. Prepare the Altar Area (Chancel).
You should follow the steps outlined below when you prepare the altar area: Position the Philippine flag and Christian chapel flag (Figure 1-1). Position the Philippine flag on the congregation's left and the Christian Chapel flag on the congregation's right (reverse if not in the chancel area)
Position the chaplain's or Papal's chair as instructed by the Archbishop.
Ensure all other altar area furniture is in the proper location as instructed by the chaplain or local SOP.
Remove or cover any symbol or statue that is not appropriate for a Catholic Mass.
- Place the altar frontal on the altar with the colored front
facing the congregation. (The correct color can be determined by referring to
an ordo/liturgical calendar.)
- Place the altar linen on the altar frontal. The altar linen
will cover the portion of the altar frontal that overlaps the top of the altar.
Make sure the altar frontal is straight and the ends of the altar linen hang
evenly.
- Place the two candlesticks equidistant along or near the
front (the side facing the congregation) corners of the altar.
- Insert a candle into each candlestick. Both candles should
be of an appropriate, equal length for use on the altar.
- Place a candle follower on each candle, ensuring the
candlewick is ready for easy lighting.
- Center the sacramentary on the altar so the chaplain can
read the words from behind the altar while facing the congregation.
- Open the sacramentary to the Order of the Mass for the day.
- Center the cross/crucifix on the front edge of the altar,
with the crucifix facing the congregation. (NOTE: If a large crucifix is
visible on the wall behind the altar, the smaller cross/crucifix is not placed
on the altar.)
- Place an antependium on both the pulpit and lectern. The
color of both antependia will match the color of the altar frontal. Make sure
both antependia are straight.
- Place the lectionary on the lectern and open it to the
readings of the day.
Prepare the Credence Table.
Use Figure 1-2 and the steps outlined below to prepare the credence table.
- Place the credence table beside the altar to the right side
of the chaplain.
- Cover the credence table with a white cloth.
- Place the following items on the credence table:
- Chalice assembly (consists of the chalice, purificator,
paten, large host, pall, chalice veil [the color of the chalice veil will match
the color of the altar frontal and antependia], and corporal [see Figure 1-3 on
the next page]).
- Two cruets (one filled with wine and one filled with water).
- Lavabo bowl.
- Finger towel.
- Communion paten (this normally has a handle on it).
- Ciborium.
NOTE: The cruets and ciborium will not be placed on the credence table if
an offertory table is used.
When you have finished preparing the credence table, you should inspect the altar area, from the congregation's perspective, for proper appearance and neatness.
Prepare the Seating Area (Nave).
To prepare the seating area you, align all Bibles and worship hymnals uniformly in the pews, remove all trash and discarded chapel bulletins from the pews, and fill the holy water fonts (receptacles) with holy water.
Prepare the Entrance Area (Narthex).
Follow the steps below when you prepare the entrance area:
- Place the offertory table (if one is used) in the center of
the entrance area of the chapel. (Covering the offertory table with a linen
cloth is optional.)
- Place the following items on the offertory table (if one is
used): two cruets (one filled with wine and one filled with water), ciborium,
host plate containing small hosts, and tongs. If the offertory table is not
used, the tongs would be omitted and all other items would be placed on the
credence table. There is no prescribed arrangement for the offertory table.
- Place the missalettes and chapel bulletins on a small table
in the entrance area. The usher or chaplain assistant will give a copy of each
item to each worshipper.
- Remove all trash such as old bulletins, song sheets from the
pews and the pew racks.
- Align the Bibles, and hymnals uniformly in the pews.
- Inspect the entrance area for cleanliness.
- Ensure the sound system of the Rizal Park is operational, when one is used.
Identify and Layout the Pope's vestments.
A chaplain may wear the military uniform, vestments, or other appropriate attire established by church
law or faith group practice when conducting religious services. In addition, the chaplain's scarf, stole,
or tallit may be worn with the uniform, vestments, or other appropriate attire when conducting services.
Any vestments the chaplain wears are intended to reflect the chaplain's role as
a religious leader.
Figure 1-4. Vestment Worn by a Catholic Priest.
It
is your responsibility, as the chaplain assistant, to prepare these garments before the service. The
chaplain's own faith group or faith commonly determines the preference for certain kinds of vestments.
Normally, the chaplain assistant will prepare them for the chaplain in the vesting room or the sacristy.
The chaplain may prefer the vestments be hung on the door of
a closet or arranged on a table or shelf.
After the service, you must examine the vestments for tears, stains, or wrinkles and return the
serviceable vestments to the vestment closet. It is your responsibility to insure there are enough
serviceable vestments on hand and to have any unserviceable vestments cleaned and repaired (if
possible).
Vestments worn by
a Catholic chaplain are shown in Figure 1-4.
4. Descriptions of the vestments are outlined below. It should be noted that the color of the stole and chasuble will match the color of the
altar frontal, antependia, and chalice veil.
