Description of Ministry:
A sacristan is one who assures the continuity and accountability for liturgy. Other individuals and groups are involved, including the liturgy committee, the art and environment persons, maintenance personnel, acolytes, ushers, lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers. Sacristans set up and supervise the regular replenishment of materials like wine, bread, candles, charcoal, etc. Sacristans prepare the objects that facilitate the celebration. The Sacristan assists in the operating procedures that occur on a daily and weekly operation of the sacristy. The Sacristan helps maintain the church complex, prepares liturgical materials, and keeps an inventory of all supplies. The main support is from the pastor.
Mission/Purpose Statement:
A sacristan’s mission is to prayerfully prepare the sanctuary, liturgical vessels, and vestments, ensuring all elements are in place for the reverent celebration of the Mass and sacraments.
Key Contact Person:
MaryAnne Shaw
Membership Requirements:
A Sacristan must be a baptized practicing Catholic in good standing, typically a registered parishioner approved by the pastor. A Sacristan is required to have a reverence for the Eucharist, knowledge of the Mass and liturgical items, possess strong organization skills and be committed to preparing the church for worship with punctuality.
Being a sacristan is a very beneficial way to serve your church community, and an active way to participate in Mass.
The starting point for all sacristans is a deep love for the Eucharist. Under the general direction of the clergy, the Sacristan undertakes the overall preparation for liturgical celebrations. Specific duties include:
- Preparing the Holy Eucharist for the celebration of Mass. This includes reading the wine, water and bread and putting them in place before the start of Mass.
- Setting up the altar. Sacristans may also arrange the Lectionary and lector notebooks.
- Assisting the altar servers and other liturgical ministers with directions or questions. Sacristans ensure that all liturgical positions are filled for the Mass.
- Cleaning the Holy materials after Mass. The Holy containers for the water, body and blood are cleaned and stored in the sacristy. Everything is set back in place before sacristans leave the Church.
Requirements:
To be come a sacristan, you need not already be a liturgical minister, but some experience with liturgical service is helpful.
In addition, sacristans should:
- Have the following spiritual dispositions and/or willingness to work to develop them: humility, radical hospitality, gratitude and reverence.
- Have 1.5 to 2 hours to give the celebration of each assigned Eucharist. Be able to allow a longer time if the set-up is for a special liturgy such as Christmas, Holy Thursday, Easter, etc.
- While a sacristan will not be scheduled to serve at more than one Mass per weekend, a willingness to be scheduled at more than one Mass time (e.g. 4:00 PM, 8:30 AM or 10:30 AM) is necessary.
- Be open to preparing for special liturgical celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Confirmation or First Eucharist.
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