606 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vot. 55. 



according to the season or the purpose for which the mass is offered, 

 and is, in the larger portion of the Roman CathoUc Church, in the 

 Latin language. 



The requisites for the celebration of mass are: An altar, of which 

 at least the part of the table upon which the chalice and paten rest 

 during the service must be of stone, in which relics of the martyrs 

 are inclosed (with reference to Revelation vi, 9), and must be con- 

 secrated by a bishop. The altar is covered with three linen cloths 

 (symbolizing the linen cloths in which Christ's body was shrouded, 

 as the altar represents his tomb), blessed by a bishop, or by a priest 

 empowered by him. Midway of the altar and fixed to its base is 

 the tabernacle, a small chest, more or less decorated, which holds 

 the consecrated hosts in their repositories, the cibory and pyx, for 

 the communion of the laymen and for the sick, and a light is always 

 kept burning in front of it. Upon the altar is a crucifix. Two 

 candles are lighted during a low mass, which is one recited by the 

 priest without chant, and six during a high mass, which is one 

 accompanied by lausic and incense and attended by a deacon and 

 sub deacon. 



The sacred vessels used in the service of the mass are the chalice, 

 in which the wine, mixed with water, is consecrated, and the paten, 

 a small plate upon which the host, in form of a cake of unleavened 

 wheat bread, about 2 inches in diameter, rests during a portion of 

 the mass. The appurtenances of the chalice and paten are the 

 corporal, a square piece of cloth, upon which the host and chalice 

 are placed, and v/hich when not in use is held in the burse, a case 

 covered with the same material as the priest's vestm^ents; the puri- 

 ficator, a piece of linen used for wiping out the chalice; the pall, a 

 stiff piece of linen, about 5 inches square, used to cover the chalice; 

 and the veil, a square piece of the same material as the priest's 

 vestments, with which the chalice is covered before offertory and 

 after communion. 



Mass may be celebrated only in the morning, and the celebrant 

 must be fasting. 



1. Higli altar. — ^IVIade of wood and constructed in a combination 

 of Gothic, Renaissance, and Rococo styles, and probably dates from 

 the seventeenth century. It is adorned with two oil i^aintings. 

 The lower represents the assumption of Mary into heaven. Mary, 

 in a blue cloak with yellow borders, is ascending to heaven surrounded 

 by fluttering cherubs, while underneath the apostles with uplifted 

 faces and raised hands are gazing after her. The Assumption of the 

 Virgin is the principal feast celebrated in her honor, and is observed 

 on August 15. The upper painting represents John the Evangelist 

 in a red cloak holding the chalice of the Lord's Supper. Height, 15 



