How To Stock A Parish Sacristy

Properly stocking your parish sacristy requires a good checklist of initial needs as well as a regular schedule to replace consumables before they run out. This article provides suggestions for both. I will start with the standard things that every parish needs and then also provide a list of items you should have if you want to fully follow the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

Altar Linens

First, let's take a look at your altar linens. These typically include purificators, lavabo towels, corporals and altar cloths.

You will first need to calculate how many purificators you use on a weekly basis in your parish. Don't forget to include weekday Masses as well as funerals and weddings. Take this number and multiply it by two since you will probably have a week's worth at a time out for laundering. I would recommend adding another half week to your stock to cover lost or damaged purificators.

Next, calculate the number of corporals you will need. Basically, you need one per Mass so again, two weeks worth plus a couple of extras. You don't need as many extras because these don't get the same kind of use that purificators get.

Finally, count the number of lavabo towels you need. This number can be about the same as the number of purificators unless you use a towel for more than one Mass before laundering it. I don't recommend this unless you have “fluffy” towels that have time to dry between Masses.

As far as altar cloths go, you probably only need the one kept on the altar and a spare since these don't get dirty very often unless your parish has a Mass celebrated according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII. This missal requires that there be three linen cloths on the altar for Mass.

Liturgical Metalware

Your sacristy is going to need, at the minimum, a chalice, a ciborium and a communion plate (paten) for distributing Holy Communion to the Faithful. If your parish has a Mass celebrated according to the Missal of Blessed John XXIII you will also need a chalice paten. Most chalices come with one.

If more than one person distributes Holy Communion, you will need a corresponding number of ciboria and patens.

For distribution of Holy Communion under both Species, the standard practice is to have two chalices for each station where someone is distributing Hosts. The deacon can distribute the Precious Blood from the priest's chalice as one of the chalices for distribution under both Species. Another option is to purchase intinction ciboria which can actually be a more cost-effective approach to distributing Holy Communion.

There should be enough communion plates, also called patens, for each place where someone is distributing the Precious Body. These can be held by altar servers or by the individual communicants to prevent the Host from falling on the floor.

Your parish should also have six candlesticks for use at the altar. Six lighted candles are required for benediction and various other numbers for different liturgical celebrations.

Liturgical Glassware

The glass items for the sacristy can also be metal but because they are frequently in contact with water it is probably better to use glass to avoid the hassles of metal corrosion. Glass items that you will need include wine and water cruets, a wine flagon if your parish distributes Holy Communion under both Species and a lavabo bowl.

Note that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal does not allow for the use of glass chalices, ciboria or patens.

The glassware, like the metalware for your parish, should not be misappropriated wine and vinegar salad dressing dispensers or candy dishes. Items meant for liturgical use should be made specifically for that use.

Candles

Proper stocking of candles requires planning and frequent monitoring of your supply. You are going to need to make sure that you have altar candles and votice candles in the proper sizes. If you use processional candlesticks you will also need to make sure you have enough candles in stock for these as well.

Keep a supply of wax tapers on hand for your candlelighter.

Vestments

While most priests own their own vestments, it is a good idea for a parish to have a set of its own Mass vestments for visiting priests or if something gets forgotten. Also, new priests may not have all the liturgical colors and may not be able to afford them.

The parish should own, at a minimum, two sizes of albs, a couple of white cinctures, a stole in each of the four major liturgical colors (white, red, green, violet) and a chasuble in each of the same colors. Stoles usually come with the chasubles as a set.

If your parish has a deacon or frequently has a deacon assisting at Mass, you should also have a set of deacon's stoles.

Altar server vestmen