Ceremonial Master

CEREMONIAL MASTER. - He who in solemn functions carries the lighted candle on the candlestick. In ancient times, as a sign of special honor, the c. preceded the dignitaries of the Roman empire, then the solemn papal and generally episcopal processions when they went to church for the solemn celebration of Mass. The seven acolytes who, together with the thurifer subdeacon, with lighted torches preceded the pope in the procession toward the altar in solemn stational pontificals had the same meaning.

From Innocent III it is known that the ordinary c. were two: only on great solemnities seven: « Praeferuntur duo luminaria cum incenso... in maioribus autem solemnitatibus septem candelabra coram Pontifice deferuntur » (De Sacro Altaris Mysterio, I, 8). The Ordo Romanus, of the 14th century, no longer speaks for the same papal procession of anything but two candlesticks. Having reached the altar, the c. placed themselves at the sides or behind the altar and held up the candlesticks, or placed them on the ground. At present two c. with candlesticks are prescribed in the Mass and in solemn Vespers in the third, as well as in processions at the sides of the parish cross. At least two lighted candles accompanying the Blessed Sacrament are also required.