Q. 943.  How many colors of vestments are used, and what do the colors signify?  A. Five colors of vestments are used, namely, white, red, green, violet or purple, and black.  White signifies innocence and is used on the feasts of Our Blessed Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, and of some saints.  Red signifies love, and is used on the feasts of the Holy Ghost, and of martyrs.  Green signifies hope, and is generally used on Sundays from Epiphany to Pentecost.  Violet signifies penance, and is used in Lent and Advent.  Black signifies sorrow, and is used on Good Friday and at Masses for the dead.  Gold is often used for white on great feasts.

Q. 944.  What is the Tabernacle and what is the Ciborium?  A. The Tabernacle is the house-shaped part of the altar where the sacred vessels containing the Blessed Sacrament are kept.  The Ciborium is the large silver or gold vessel which contains the Blessed Sacrament while in the Tabernacle, and from which the priest gives Holy Communion to the people.

Q. 945.  What is the Ostensorium or Monstrance?  A. The Ostensorium or Monstrance is the beautiful wheel-like vessel in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and kept during the Benediction.

Q. 946. {269} How should we assist at Mass?  A. We should assist at Mass with great interior recollection and piety and with every outward mark of respect and devotion.

Q. 947. {270} Which is the best manner of hearing Mass?  A. The best manner of hearing Mass is to offer it to God with the priest for the same purpose for which it is said, to meditate on Christ’s sufferings and death, and to go to Holy Communion.

Q. 948.  What is important for the proper and respectful hearing of Mass?  A. For the proper and respectful hearing of Mass it is important to be in our place before the priest comes to the altar and not to leave it before the priest leaves the altar.  Thus we prevent the confusion and distraction caused by late coming and too early leaving.  Standing in the doorways, blocking up passages and disputing about places should, out of respect for the Holy Sacrifice, be most carefully avoided.

Q. 949.  What is Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and what vestments are used at it?  A. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is an act of divine worship in which the Blessed Sacrament, placed in the ostensorium, is exposed for the adoration of the people and is lifted up to bless them.  The vestments used at Benediction are:  A cope or large silk cloak and a humeral or shoulder veil.

Q. 950.  Why does the priest wear special vestments and use certain ceremonies while performing his sacred duties?  A. The priest wears special vestments and uses certain ceremonies while performing his sacred duties:  (1) To give greater solemnity and to command more attention and respect at divine worship; (2) To instruct the people in the things that these vestments and ceremonies signify; (3) To remind the priest himself of the importance and sacred character of the work in which he is the representative of Our Lord Himself.  Hence we should learn the meaning of the ceremonies of the Church.