Altar society

An altar society or altar guild is a group of laypersons in a parish church who maintain the ceremonial objects used in worship.[1] Traditionally, membership is limited to women and their most common functions are making floral arrangements for the sanctuary and holding fundraisers to purchase items for the sanctuary, including vestments and altar vessels.[2] Today, especially in the United States, membership may include both men and women and functions in a similar manner as before, oftentimes with less emphasis on fundraising.

The duties of members vary according to circumstances, in some instances including those which ordinarily fall within the sacristan's province, such as the vestments and altar vessels and making ready for the Mass.

They would either organise a fund for the maintenance and repair of church vessels or work to maintain the vessels. Altar societies differ from tabernacle societies in that altar societies work for the benefit of the church to which they are attached and tabernacle societies work for the benefit of many different poor churches.

References

  1. ↑  Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Sacristan". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  2. ↑ "Definition of ALTAR SOCIETY". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2018-04-03.


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