Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: A Sacristan's Duties

ROME, SEPT. 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

After our piece on the duties of the sacristan (Aug. 21) a priest kindly notified us of a useful resource for sacristans. He wrote:

"Here is another resource for you in reference to the sacristan question. There is a manual called 'The Sacristy Manual,' published by Liturgy Training Publications, by G. Thomas Ryan. It gives some valuable information."

It is worthwhile mentioning that several Catholic publishing houses have issued useful liturgical guidebooks and resources addressing various aspects of liturgical service. For example, Paulist Press published this year W.T. Ditewig's "The Deacon at Mass," a very recommendable theological and practical guide to what the deacon should and should not do.

I would probably quibble with the author regarding a couple of minor technicalities, but then liturgists are wont to quibble over such things.