Sacred vestments and vessels are kept here…
Today’s Lenten Lesson: The Sacristy
Pop Quiz: Where do they keep the sacred vestments and sacred vessels used at Mass? Give up? In the sacristy.
The sacristy is a special room in the church, usually next to the sanctuary, which many of the faithful never see. The sacristy is where the priest vests for Mass, and in the sacristy there are closets for vestments, shelves for storing the various liturgical ornaments used in the Mass (candles, thurible, cruets, bells, bread, wine, etc.) and a strong safe for the sacred vessels (such as the chalice, ciborium, and monstrance). Frequently in the sacristy there will be a special sink for cleansing the sacred vessels and linens called a ‘sacrarium’, and it drains directly into the natural ground.
Above the countertop where the priest’s vestments are laid out, you might also see a copy of the “vesting prayers” which you can now find for yourself on the free Relevant Radio App.
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