As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith (1324). Many of us come to Mass each Sunday, sit in our pew and partake in this beautiful liturgy. But for things to run smoothly, a little preparation is required. That is where the
sacristan ministry comes in.
The role of a sacristan could be compared to readying your home for dinner guests. You set the table and prepare the food so that everyone has everything that they need to simply come in and enjoy themselves. Similarly, the sacristan prepares everything so the priest can walk in and celebrate Mass, and the parishioners can come to celebrate the Liturgy.
While the specific duties of a sacristan can vary based on what is needed for each liturgy and the preferences of each priest, a sacristan’s basic job is to prepare the items needed for that Mass. This typically would include filling the ciborium with the unconsecrated hosts and placing them at the back of the church to be brought forward at the presentation of the gifts, filling the cruets and pitcher with the lavabo, and seeing that the purificator, corporal, and lavabo towels are all ready to be used during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Finally, they assist with the cleanup after Mass.
In Pope Paul VI’s document, Sacrosanctum Concilium, it is stated: “In the restoration and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else; for it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit” (14). Keeping this in mind, one way that we foster “full and active participation” is by being involved in the liturgy itself. And when we step up and take responsibility for the different roles to be filled in the liturgy, we foster this full and active participation in the Mass. We also learn more about the liturgy itself and our understanding and appreciation for the Mass grows. For a sacristan, the full participation in the liturgy is extended as one learns about the physical elements incorporated in the
celebration of the Mass.
For the sacristans of our three parishes, this essential, behind-the-scenes ministry is a special role that they feel privileged to fill.
“Being a sacristan has really deepened my faith in different ways,” says Claire Kaiser, who has been a sacristan at St. Michael’s for over 15 years. “When you are responsible for the preparation, you get something more out of the Mass. It has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the different parts of the Mass. It has strengthened my faith and I feel proud going to church.”
This simple but impactful work within the church is a big help to our busy priests and deacons.
“I have been a sacristan at St. Theresa’s for about two years,” says Helen Plugge. “I like being able to do this work that is behind the scenes. Fr. Antony is so busy with his work in the three parishes that this is one way that we can help him.”
As Claire notes, this is not a time-consuming ministry.
“We arrive about fifteen minutes early for Mass,” she says. “We fill the hosts and put the water and wine in the cruets. We have two trays that we set up, one for the altar servers to set on the side table and one on the table at the back for the offertory. After Mass, we make sure that things are cleaned up properly.”
“This ministry is something that I found I could do,” says Jeanette Walsh, who has been a sacristan at Sacred Heart for several years. “I am not very good at being still — I am the kind of person who likes to be doing things. Many people don’t know that we even do this work, but it takes all of us filling this role to get the work done — otherwise, it doesn’t happen, then the priest or the deacons have to do the work instead. It doesn’t take much time and it is something that we can do to serve our parish.”
Each of the parishes has its own rotations and schedules for the Sacristan Ministry. They work together to make sure that all weekend Masses, daily Masses, Holy Days of Obligation, and funerals are covered within the parish. Each parish would welcome more sacristans to be a part of this important work. Those starting this ministry receive hands-on training from another sacristan to learn the different tasks for the job. All are welcome to join this important ministry.
To become a sacristan, please contact the following at your parish:
St. Michael — Claire Kaiser, 308-497-2397
Sacred Heart — Jeanette Walsh, 402-499-7104
St. Theresa — Helen Plugge, 308-750-3070
