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About the Ministry of Sacristan
Sacristans assist in the work of preparing the church for the celebration of Mass, as well as the cleaning up and securing of items that is necessary afterwards.
In most cases, such ministry will involve ensuring that the gifts for communion are prepared, that the credence table is set with the items the priest and Altar Servers will require, and checking that other items required for Mass are in place and in working order.
In this way, these ministers form a team that keep the sacristy in order at each Mass, and notify those responsible when stocks of necessary items are getting low or are in poor condition.
Sacristans need to be organised people with an attention to detail. They should be at Mass early enough to successfully complete their duties. Finally, they should be able to communicate effectively with the other ministers (including Priests) with whom they work collaboratively.
Resources for Sacristans
Parish guidelines
Sunday Mass Preparation Checklist
Parish resources
Liturgy Corner Articles on the Role of Sacristans
- Roles of the Sacristan: Preparing for Mass
- Roles of the Sacristan: Preparing for Liturgy
- Roles of the Sacristan: The Calendar
- Those Who Minister in the Sacristy
- 10/2/13 – Liturgy Committee Meeting Report
- 18/7/10 – Unity, Hierarchy, Order and Ministry
Documents of the Church
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
Introduction to the prayer book of the Mass. Includes important information about the importance of the Eucharist, the structure of the Mass, ministries, the different forms of celebrating Mass, the arrangement and ornamentation of churches, the requisites for the celebration of Mass, the choice of Mass and its parts, Masses for various needs and occasions, as well as when adaptations are permitted.
Liturgy 