a Catholic Church
Corpus Christi Church
Clifton Nottingham
| Around and About a Catholic Church |
A Tour of Corpus Christi Church Clifton Nottingham |
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Incense is a grainy substance made from the resins of various plants that gives off an aromatic odour when sprinkled onto burning charcoal. It is used in divine worship as a symbol of the ascent of prayer to God and, as has been the case since early times, to show honour. The container which holds the burning charcoal on which grains of incense are burned is called a thurible or censer. It is usually covered and suspended by chains. It is seen here suspended on its stand. On the right of the thurible is a Processional Cross. A Processional Cross is carried into church at the head of a procession, as a sign of our faith and is the basic symbol of Christianity. It reminds us that Jesus died for us that we might have everlasting life. |
| A bell is used to signify the most solemn moments of the Mass, such as the Consecration, and to invite people to Communion. |  |
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The wooden side table on which all the items that are necessary for the Mass are placed is called the credence table. On the credence table in our picture are a number of items used in liturgical services. Starting at the front left and working clockwise we have a finger towel and lavabo bowl, a ciborium, two cruets, a monstrance, two chalices, a purificator, a large altar bread and a corporal. These are described in turn below. |
| At the preparation of the gifts the priest cleanses his hands over the lavabo bowl as water is poured over his fingers. The finger towel is a small rectangular white linen cloth with which the priest dries his fingers after washing them. Behind the lavabo bowl is a Ciborium This is made of gold or silver and is shaped rather like a large chalice but it has a tight fitting lid. It is used to hold the sacred hosts. After the consecrated hosts have been distributed to the congregation during the Mass, any remaining will be stored in the closed ciborium and placed in the tabernacle. Next on the table are the cruets, two small jugs made of silver or other metal. They hold the wine and water which the priest will pour into the chalice during the part of the Mass known as the Offertory. |  |
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The item with the large base, narrow stem and an upper part that looks as though rays are coming from the centre is called a Monstrance. The Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated host) is exposed (shown) during Benediction or other periods of special prayer and devotion by being placed into the centre of the Monstrance which has a little glass window through which the consecrated host can be seen. |
| The sacred cup, usually made of gold or silver gilt or sometimes of pottery, is called a chalice. Two examples are shown here. The chalice holds the wine mixed with a drop of water which will be consecrated during the Mass. When the Eucharistic banquet is complete the sacred vessels have to be cleansed. A rectangular white cloth, known as a purificator is used to do this. Next can be seen the large altar bread which the priest consecrates during the Mass (see above for more details of this and altar wine) The final item at the centre front is a Corporal It is a neatly folded, large square of white linen which is opened out on to the centre of the altar and on to which the sacred vessels, the chalice and ciborium, are placed for the eucharistic liturgy. |
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