Padre Martinez - Will and Testament

Will and Testament

Administration of The Presbyter Don Antonio José Martínez

APPENDIX A

Glossary of Ecclesiastical Terminology of the Vestments and the Altar Linens
--compiled and prepared by Rev. Juan Romero. 2/22/05

CLERICAL VESTMENTS

Cassock (sotana)– flowing outer priestly garment of daily attire.

Amice (amito)– linen rectangular garb with long apron-like strings first put over head (“helmet of salvation”) and then over shoulders, then tied in front. Practical usage: to wrap over and around roman collar, or to cover neck in case no cassock or collar was worn. No longer used.

Alb (alba) - long flowing white garment. Word comes from Latin and means “white.” Elongated “baptismal robe” worn at Mass under chasuble.

Cincture (cintura) –a rope to fasten alb and adjust its length. With better fitting albs, now usually not worn. Vesting prayer refers to chastity: “Gird my loins…”

Stole (estola) – long band worn around neck, and symbol of priestly authority. Worn over alb. Used to be crossed in front of priest, but hung straight down by bishop. Deacon wears it over right shoulder like a sash. Priest now also wears it “straight down.” Color changes according to feast or season. Used for celebration of sacraments, e.g. Penance, Baptism, last rites (small modified version).

Chausuble (casulla) – outer Eucharistic vestment, which means “little house.” Color changes according to liturgical feast or season. Black is used to be used for funerals, but no longer after Vatican II. White is deemed to better portray belief in the paschal Mystery.

Maniple (mantel) – Much shorter version of stole, but worn over alb on left arm near wrist. Historically a kind of handkerchief that could wipe the swat of the brow. Now no longer worn.

Biretta – Three “handles” on the clerical hat. No longer used.

Soqueto = zucchetto mentioned as part of the Padre's burial garb. a small round skullcap worn by members of the Roman Catholic clergy that varies in color depending on the rank of the person wearing it. A bishop gets a red one, a cardinal gets a "cardinal red" one. The highest ranking kind of monsignor, called "Protonatary Apostolic" gets a black one.

Relicario - This seems to be a Reliquary which is a miniature "monstrance" (a decorative brass, silver or gold holder to "show forth" ( from the Latin mostrare-- which means to show). The reliquary is used to keep the relic of saint or martyr for the veneration of the faithful.

Surplice (sobrepelice) – White linen “mini alb” used over cassock on formal liturgical rites, but not quite so solemn as Holy Mass. Today rarely used; cassocks rarely used. Instead, alb is used.

Cope (capa) – is a long flowing “cape” made of the same material as a chasuble. It would be used for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, special processions (as in Corpus Christi), and on a few other liturgical occasions outside of Mass.

ALTAR LINENS

Purificator (Purificador)– a kind of linen napkin with which to wipe the wine and water while pouring into chalice, and with which to “purify,” i.e., cleanse the chalice after Communion.
Corporal – square linen upon which the sacred host, chalice and paten are placed after the consecration of the sacred elements. It comes from the word corpus, which means body [of the Lord].

Burse (Bolsa)– sounds like “purse,” and is pocket-like vestment into which is folded and stored the corporal used at Mass.

Finger towel (manotejo)– small linen towel used after the priest ceremoniously washes his hands before the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass.

Altar Cloths – the main linens that cover the altar. There were also “side altars” that also required their cloths. Today there is only one altar. In the “old days,” three altar cloths used to be used at each altar at which Mass was celebrated. This would make the altar environment more absorbent in case of an accidental spill of the consecrated wine. Only one is used today.

Celebratory Objects

Patten (patena)– Gold plated metal dish upon which host rests. Also, sever used to use a paten with wooden handle under chin of communicant in case a particle of the host might fall to the ground. Server’s paten (almost) no longer used.

Cruets (vínageras)– For wine and water.

Torches – Long handles with candles surrounded by glass (usually red colored) container; used in some processions.

Pyx (Relicario)– Small round gold-plated container used to take consecrated hosts to the sick, especially for those near death. Used much more routinely nowadays, both by lay people and priests, to take communion to the sick.

Catafalque (mesa de tumba)– An empty box or container to simulate a casket. Used on All Souls Day or at Mass for the Dead when the body is not present. Not used today.

Credence Table (Credenza) -Italian word. Used for small table upon which are placed cruets with wine and water, lavabo dish and towel for washing priest's hands.

Appendix