What Are the Vessels & the Vestments in a Church?
In Christian churches, just about everything, from the kind of clothing worn by clergy, to colors, to vessels for food and drinks, has special names and meanings. Some are specific to Catholicism, while other nomenclature of vessels and vestments are used by all denominations.
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Vestments: basic garments
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The basic garments worn by a priest are the alb, a long, plain white garment that covers from the neck to the feet, and the cincture, a cord that is used as a belt to secure the alb around the waist. The alb symbolizes the purity of the priest, the cincture, chastity.
Vestments: accessories
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The maniple is a small, ornamental piece of silk cloth about a yard long that sits on the left forearm of the priest. The stole is a very long silk cloth that rests on the neck of the priest and hangs nearly to the floor. It signifies the official authority the priest has to administer rites. The priest can usually be seen kissing it before putting it on.
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Vestments: top layers
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The chasuble is the noticeable vestment placed over the others, usually ornately and brightly decorated. When a deacon or sub-deacon attend Mass, they wear the dalmatic, a long-sleeved tunic in place of the chasuble.
Vessels: dishes
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The dish-type vessels include the chalice, a cup made of precious metal for serving the sacramental wine; the paten, a small plate of precious metal for serving the sacred Host; and the ciborium, a larger covered cup for holding the hosts that are consecrated and given to the congregation. The most important of these is the chalice, the inside of which must be gold.
Linens
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The corporal is the linen placed on the altar upon which the priest places the chalice and hosts. The purificator is the priest's napkin, used to dry his hands after washing them. The pall is a very stiff piece of linen that covers the chalice. The chalice veil matches the vestments and covers the chalice and paten before and after the ceremony, and the other matching cloth is the burse, a cloth sack that carries the other linens.
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