A Glossary of Terms for Sacramental Vessels

Along with the Table or altar, the vessels used for sacrament are also important in communicating its meaning. This article defines many of the terms used in describing sacramental vessels.

Chalices are commonly made of precious metals or at least plated with such metals. Other materials, such as glass or ceramic, are also suitable, provided they are not porous. As the most conspicuous of the sacred vessels, it is desirable that chalices be well designed and finely crafted. It is also important that they not be top-heavy.

Patens intended for wafer bread (“well” patens) are usually designed to fit on top of the chalice, which is a convenience when bringing the vessels to the altar at the offertory. Patens intended for leavened bread are, of necessity, considerably larger, as well as being deeper. They also may be made of any suitable material. It is desirable that the paten used be large enough to hold all the bread to be consecrated at the service. When necessary, additional patens can be brought to the altar at the time of the breaking of the bread and used in the distribution of Communion.

Flagons are pitcher-like vessels, frequently with hinged covers, used to hold additional wine to be consecrated at the celebration. Like chalices, it is important that they be made of non-porous materials. In some places, the people’s offering of wine is brought to the altar in a flagon, which is then used to fill the chalice. An attractive carafe or decanter may be used instead. When the amount of wine to be consecrated is small, a glass cruet of suitable size is commonly used.

Ciboria are chalice-like vessels, with covers, used to hold the consecrated bread. They are convenient vessels for holding the reserved sacrament but, because of their chalice-like appearance, are not recommended for use during the liturgy.

Pyxes are small vessels, frequently shaped like pocket watches, used to take the consecrated bread to the absent. Ciboria are sometimes referred to as standing pyxes.

Bread boxes are small vessels, either round or square, with covers, used to hold wagers to be placed on the paten at the offertory. Such boxes may also be used, in place of a ciborium, for the reservation of the consecrated bread.

Cruets are used not only for wine but for the water to be added to the chalice and for the washing of the priest’s hands. It is helpful if the necks of the cruets are wide enough to make cleaning them easy. Stoppers are frequently easier to deal with than flanged metal covers.

Lavabo bowls are now generally the size of finger bowls. The original custom, however, was the washing of the priest’s hands, not merely of the fingers. The earlier practice and the use of bowls large enough for this purpose is recommended here.

Patens and chalices used to communicate the sick and shut-ins are commonly smaller than those used in church. It may be questioned, however, whether they should be so small as to look like toys. The bottles for wine provided in many “private Communion” sets, moreover, are difficult to fill and even more difficult to clean. In many cases, a small attractive bottle with a wide neck and a plastic-coated stopper will be found to be more practicable.

Ampullas are vessels designed to be poured from, used for the blessing and consecration of holy oils. They may also be used in administering such oils at public services. Between services, the oils are kept in tightly sealed bottles, labeled “Sacred Chrism,” or “Oil of the Sick,” as the case may be. Such oils may also be administered from “oil stocks,” small cylindrical metal objects, packed with cotton, into which some of the oil has been poured.

Ewers are large pitchers with a wide spout used to fill the font at Holy Baptism or to add to the water already present in the font.

Baptismal shells are commonly small and made in the shape of seashells. With the recovery of the tradition of using a significant amount of water, however, shells that are both larger and deeper are desirable. At the baptism of adults by total affusion, a large wide-mouthed vessel with a handle will be found most convenient.