OBJECTS OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL 25 



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 music and 

 incense and attended by a deacon and subdeacon. 



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 which when not in use is held in the burse, a case 

 covered with the same material as the priest's vestments; 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. High altar. — Made 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 paintings. 

 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, vv^hile 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 

 feet; width, 7 feet 3 inches. Hildesheim, Germany. (Cat. No. 

 207743, U.S.N.M.) 



2. Altar. — Made of wood and adorned with an oil painting repre- 

 senting the Holy Family — that is, Joseph, Mary, and the Infant 

 Jesus. Probably dating from the seventeenth century. Height, 

 7 feet 2K inches; width, 4 feet 2)^ inches. Hildesheim, Germany. 

 (Cat. No. 207744, U.S.N.M.) 



3. Altar cloth. — Made of linen, with lace borders and embroidered 

 edges. Length, 62 inches; width, 29 inches. Italy. (Cat. No. 

 179015, U.S.N.M.) 



4. Fragments of gilded carvings of an altar. — Including six oval 

 panel paintings, measuring each 10)^ by 8% inches, representing the 

 Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, and the four Evangelists. 

 Italy. (Cat. No. 179013, U.S.N.M.) 



5. Piece of carving. — Wood, gilt. Under a canopy are two cherubs, 

 between them is a cross in openwork. Underneath the cross is another 



61551—29 3 



