The Sacristy Manual is a how-to read for church volunteers and staff involved in supporting the flow of a church service – liturgists, sacristans, etc.

Really, this book is a good for anyone curious about the set-up and flow of a Catholic mass. Who sets up for mass? What is involved in setting up? What items are needed? What items are kept in the sacristy?

Aren’t masses pretty much the same from week to week? Why a need to prepare? Masses don’t happen in auto-pilot. The doors of the church need to be opened, lights need to be turned on. The liturgical books read by the priest need to be opened to the appropriate pages for that weeks’ readings. The seasonal flow of the liturgy is planned and organized. Candles in the sanctuary are lit (altar servers often do this). Communion hosts need to be set out. Seasonal banners are hung in the sanctuary. If there’s a special liturgy, incense and other special-event considerations need to be prepared. Volunteers are coordinated. Much of the preparation for mass happens in the sacristy.

For anyone interested in a hands-on look at the nuance of mass logistics from week to week, this is a great primer.

Kim Burkhardt blogs at A Parish Catechist and The Books of the Ages (and a member of the Association of Catholic Publishers). If you are a new visitor, it would be great to have you follow this blog (thank you!). If you know someone who would like this blog, please share it with them (thank you!).