St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church, San Antonio, TX

A Sacristan is parish volunteer, who maintains sacred vessels, vestments, altar linens, candles, oil, holy water and liturgical items.  The parish volunteers help care for and provide for the altar and sanctuary area around it.  In some parishes the group are called the "rosary and altar society," or the "tabernacle society.'  The group assumed responsibility for preparing the sanctuary for Mass and special services.  The society usually elected its own leaders with one of the parish's priests serving as chaplain.  The sacristan may be ordained, religiously professed or lay person.  Vestments, altar linens, Eucharistic vessels and liturgical items are stored in the sacristy.  The sacristy is where the priest, and liturgical ministers receive their last minutes instruction followed by a brief prayer.