Impact of the Reformation

Late Medieval

Rosemary Holy Water Deacon Subdeacon
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Rosemary

Rosemary, symbolic of remembrance, is used to sprinkle the holy water.

Holy Water

Holy water mixed with salt is blessed at the beginning of the service, just before the procession.

Deacon

The deacon, in front of the Priest, is his chief assistant.

Subdeacon

In front of the deacon, the subdeacon: another assistant.

Procession

The Sunday Mass would begin with a procession around the Church, starting from the South entrance. During this, the congregation and the altars would be sprinkled with holy water and blessed. The Priest would be accompanied by a deacon and a subdeacon, who were both ordained clergymen. There would also be at least two servers (acolytes) carrying candles, and two thurifers with censers bearing incense; these could be laymen. In smaller churches, the procession could be done with a priest and a server. If available, a boy might carry the vessel containing the holy water.

Elizabethan

Laudian