E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

158
THE CEREMONIES OF HIGH MASS.
One word as to the candlesticks on the altar. We are
told that the present custom of placing candlesticks on the
altar dates from the ninth or tenth century ; previously
to this period they were placed probably at the sides or
before the altar.
" In
the private Masses of the ninth or
tenth century, and in some places down to the end of
the eighteenth century, the altar remained bare until the
priest who was to say Mass actually arrived at the
spot. The priest brought a little crucifix or cross along
with the chalice, and the server carried a candlestick
and candle. In all probability the six candlesticks we
now see there, or seven when a Bishop pontificates, have
sprung from the seven candles originally borne before
the Roman Pontiff by the seven regionary acolytes."
(Ceremonies of Holy Week, Good Friday, p. 6.)
After this brief reference to the Church s use of
candles at Mass we return to the consideration of
the Ceremonies at High Mass. Instead of being crossed
in front like the priest s, the deacon s stole stretches
from the left shoulder across the breast and is fastened at
his right side. Also, instead of the chasuble, the deacon
and subdeacon wear special vestments called dalmatics.
A dalmatic is a vestment open on each side, with wide
sleeves, and marked with two stripes. It is worn by
deacons at High Mass, at Processions and Benediction,
and by Bishops under the chasuble when they celebrate
Mass pontifically. The colour is the same as that of
the celebrant s chasuble. The word is derived from
Dalmatia. The dalmatic was a long undergarment of
white Dalmatian wool corresponding to the Roman
tunic. Originally it was a garment of everyday
life.
The use of the dalmatic as a vestment was first
peculiar to the Popes, and then permitted by them