Credence Table

The credence table is used to hold the items needed for the celebration of the Mass, allowing the altar to be kept clear of those items only until needed. This allows for a noble simplicity during the Mass; only those items that help express in a compelling and non-competitive way that aspect of the sacred reality being celebrated, are placed on the altar to ensure we better appreciate what is unfolding before us. The word "credence" comes from the Latin, and in the sense it is used here means "shelf/niche" or "small table" ("abacus" or "credentia").