A sacristan is the person who prepares the church for the liturgy: the altar, the sacred vessels, the books, the vestments and everything needed for Mass and the sacraments. The name comes from the sacristy, the room where these sacred things are kept. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal lists the sacristan among those who “exercise a liturgical function”: the one “who carefully arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things necessary in the celebration of Mass” (GIRM 105). Below is what a sacristan does, a checklist for setting up Mass, the names of the sacred vessels and linens, care of the sacristy, and a prayer for sacristans.
What does a sacristan do?
- Before Mass: unlocks the church and sacristy, lights the candles, prepares the altar, the credence table, the ambo and the presider’s chair, lays out the vestments in the color of the day, and marks the readings in the Lectionary and the prayers in the Missal.
- During Mass: stays nearby to help with anything missing and assists the servers.
- After Mass: clears the altar, purifies or sets aside the vessels as the parish directs, puts away the books and vestments, extinguishes the candles and locks up.
- Through the week: keeps the sacristy in order, orders hosts, wine and candles, cares for the altar linens, prepares for baptisms, weddings and funerals, and helps decorate the church for the seasons.
In many parishes the sacristan is a volunteer; in large churches and cathedrals it may be a paid position. A sacristan was historically also called a sexton, a word that comes from sacristan.
Mass setup checklist
Based on GIRM 117–118:
On the altar: the altar cloth; candles (at least two, or four or six; seven when the diocesan bishop celebrates); a crucifix on or near the altar. The Book of the Gospels may be placed on the altar if it is not carried in procession.
At the presider’s chair: the Roman Missal (or on a stand near the altar) and, if needed, a hymnal.
At the ambo: the Lectionary, opened or marked to the readings of the day, and the Prayers of the Faithful.
On the credence table: the chalice, corporal, purificator and, if used, the pall; the paten and, if needed, ciboria with enough hosts; the cruets with wine and water; the lavabo bowl, pitcher and towel; additional chalices and purificators for Communion under both kinds; the vessel of holy water if the sprinkling rite is used; a Communion plate if used.
Other: the processional cross; candles for the servers; the thurible and incense boat on solemn days; the sanctuary lamp burning near the tabernacle.
Vestments: alb, cincture, stole and chasuble in the color of the day (deacon: alb, stole and dalmatic). See liturgical colors.
Sacred vessels and linens
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Chalice | The cup that holds the wine that becomes the Blood of Christ |
| Paten | The plate for the host |
| Ciborium | A covered vessel for the hosts for the people’s Communion and for reservation |
| Pyx | A small container to bring Communion to the sick |
| Cruets | Small jugs for the wine and water |
| Corporal | The square linen cloth spread on the altar under the vessels |
| Purificator | The linen cloth used to wipe the chalice |
| Pall | A stiff square card covered in linen, placed over the chalice |
| Lavabo towel | The towel for the priest’s hands |
| Thurible and boat | The censer and the container for incense |
| Aspergillum | The sprinkler for holy water |
Care of the sacristy and linens
- The sacrarium is a special sink that drains directly into the earth. “The practice is to be kept of building a sacrarium in the sacristy, into which is poured the water from the purification of sacred vessels and linens” (GIRM 334). Corporals and purificators are first rinsed and the water is poured into the sacrarium before ordinary washing.
- If any of the Precious Blood is spilled, the area is washed with water and the water poured into the sacrarium (GIRM 280).
- Hosts and wine: use only unleavened wheat bread and natural grape wine; rotate supplies so they are fresh.
- Keys: the tabernacle key is kept safely, according to the pastor’s instructions.
- Seasons: keep a calendar of the liturgical year, with feasts, colors and special rites. See the liturgical calendar.
A prayer for sacristans
Written for this page:
Lord Jesus, I prepare your house and your altar.
Let my hands serve you with reverence and care,
and let my heart be a dwelling place for you.
May everything I make ready help your people to pray
and to meet you in the Holy Eucharist.
St. Guy of Anderlecht, patron of sacristans, pray for me. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sacristan and an altar server?
The sacristan prepares the church and the things for the liturgy before and after; altar servers assist the priest during the celebration itself.
Who is the patron saint of sacristans?
St. Guy (Guido) of Anderlecht, an eleventh-century Belgian who served as sacristan of a church in Laeken; his memorial is kept on September 12.
Do I need training to be a sacristan?
Most parishes train new sacristans themselves. A good sacristan knows the order of the Mass, the liturgical year and the parish’s customs. See the order of the Mass.
More guides for liturgical ministers
Sources
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal (2002), nos. 105, 117–118, 280, 334, 337–346.
- The prayer was written for this page.