In parish life, one of the roles rarely seen by parishioners is that of a Sacristan. It is a “behind-the-scenes” position, but it is an essential service in the parish as it helps priests focus on the ministerial aspect of their priesthood.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains, “The following also exercises a liturgical function: the sacristan, who carefully arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things necessary in the celebration of the Mass” (No. 105). The Sacristan’s role is further spelled out in a book entitled Caeremoniale Episcoporum (Ceremonial of Bishops): “The holy preparations in which Sacristans are entrusted are the basic framework for the beautiful and sacred objects that are used and carried out before, during, and after the Mass. It’s a serious job that one must undertake with care and wisdom” (#37).
The Sacristy is the secure area of the church which serves as a holding room for the sacred items used in the Holy Mass, and where the clergy prepare and vest for Mass. Many of the Sacristan’s duties are related to taking care of the Sacristy (hence the name Sacristan) and the sacred items in the Sacristy.
The Sacristan usually arrives about thirty minutes before Mass begins. The chores of the Sacristan should be done in a prayerful manner keeping the sacristy a neat, quiet, and meditative place. He or she makes sure the priest has the required items necessary for the altar. This includes the chalice, ciboria, cruets, linens, oils, crosses, candles, and celebration bells. The books for the Mass are prepared and put in their proper places in the sanctuary including: the Roman Missal, the Lectionary, the prayers of the faithful, and presider notebooks. All must be kept in pristine condition. The Sacristan also ensures all lamps and candles have sufficient light (oil) to last for the entire Mass. The Sacristan is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient fresh hosts and the proper amount of authorized wine for communion. Once Mass has ended, the sacristan clears the altar, extinguishes the candles, cleans and then puts away the sacred items.
Being well-read in liturgical books and calendars is a must. A sacristan should have a solid understanding of how liturgies flow: the order of Mass, as well as the preparations and the take-down. Additionally, they should be skilled at cleaning and organizing, and trustworthy since they have keys to the church and access to its precious objects. Sacristans must work well with and direct other lay liturgical volunteers and should have good delegation and people skills. Sacristans learn through on-the-job training, whereby they gain the experience to prepare and coordinate all the various rites and liturgies of the Church.
In general, the sacristan is the first person to arrive and the last person to leave. They will unlock the church, turn on the lights, set out the appropriate linens and decorations, put out the sacred vessels, and fill them with an appropriate volume of bread and wine. After the last Mass of the day, the sacristan cleans up, locks the doors, and turns off the lights.
A sacristan is scheduled for each weekend and daily Mass, and all special Masses and liturgies throughout the liturgical year.