k 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.

Q. 951. How do we show that the ceremonies of the Church are reasonable
and proper?
A. We show that the ceremonies of the Church are reasonable and proper
from the fact that all persons in authority, rulers, judges and masters,
require certain acts of respect from their subjects, and as we know Our
Lord is present on the altar, the Church requires definite acts of
reverence and respect at the services held in His honor and in His
presence.

Q. 952. Are there other reasons for the use of ceremonies?
A. There are other reasons for the use of ceremonies: (1) God commanded
ceremonies to be used in the old law, and (2) Our Blessed Lord Himself
made use of ceremonies in performing some of His miracles.

Q. 953. How are the persons who take part in a Solemn Mass or Vespers
named?
A. The persons who take part in a Solemn Mass or Vespers are named as
follows: The priest who says or celebrates the Mass is called the
celebrant; those who assist him as deacon and sub-deacon are called the
ministers; those who serve are called acolytes, and the one who directs
the ceremonies is called the master of ceremonies. If the celebrant be a
bishop, the Mass or Vespers is called Pontifical Mass or Pontifical
Vespers.

Q. 954. What is Vespers?
A. Vespers is a portion of the divine office or daily prayer of the
Church. It is sung in Churches generally on Sunday afternoon or evening,
and is usually followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Q. 955. Can one satisfy for neglecting Mass on Sunday by hearing Vespers
on the same day?
A. One cannot satisfy for neglecting Mass on Sunday by hearing Vespers
on the same day, because there is no law of the Church obliging us under
pain of sin to attend Vespers, while there is a law obliging us under
pain of mortal sin to hear Mass.

LESSON TWENTY-FIFTH.
ON EX