Impact of the Reformation

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.