Liturgical Linens

Liturgical Linens
Liturgical linens are cloths use to cover or purify the liturgical

vessels used during Eucharistic celebrations. Other cloths such us
the altar cloth, credence table cloth and finger towels are also
included in this category.
This is a rectangular white piece of
absorbent linen or hemp used for
cleaning or purifying the chalice, the
paten, the ciboria and other ancillary
vessels for the Precious Body and
Blood of Christ after communion. It
can also be used to wipe the fingers
and mouth of the celebrant. It is
spread over the cup of the chalice at
the beginning and end of mass.
They are cleansed first in a
sacrarium (a special sink, usually in
a sacristy, leading directly to the
earth, for disposal of water used in
washing altar linens, chalices, etc.)
before washing it the ordinary way
with detergent soap. They are neatly
ironed afterwards.
Purificator
corporal
A square white linen cloth which is spread out by the priest in
the middle of the Altar. It is washed, bleached, and ironed and
folded into three equal parts, both in its length and in its width,
i.e. the anterior part is folded over the middle; then the
posterior part is turned down over the anterior part; after this
the part at the priest's right is folded over the middle, and
finally the part at the priest's left is folded over these. The
corporal is placed in the burse in such a manner that the edge
of the last fold is towards the opening of the burse.
They contain the crumbs of the consecrated hosts that may

accidentally fell during the mass. Several corporals are
sometimes used especially in masses when there are many
concelebrants. They are cleansed first (like the purificator) in a
sacrarium before ordinary washing and ironing.
pall
A stiff square piece of linen, sometimes decorated with
a Cross or other embroidery, used to cover the
Chalice to cover the chalice at Mass in order to protect
the Precious Blood from insects or other foreign objects
and impurities.
Another type of pall is the cloth used to cover coffins at Requiem
Masses
Chalice veils
This is the cloth which covers
the chalice until the Offertory,
and again after the
Communion. It also is made
of the same material and color
as the vestments.
burse
A 10-inch square container to hold the
Corporal when not it use. The burse
covers the chalice before the Mass, with
the opening of the burse facing toward
the priest. It is made of the same
material and color as the vestments.
The leather pouch used to hold the pyx is

also called a burse.
Chalice veil and burse
Finger towels or lavabo
towels
These may be made of any material (preferably linen) and are used during
washing of hands and also after Communion. It should be adequate in size and
absorbent for drying the priests' hands. Neither the color nor the material of
the lavabo towel is prescribed.
Baptismal towel
The dimensions of the baptismal
towel are that of the lavabo towel.
However, it is embroidered with a
shell and not a cross. The shell is
used as the symbol of water in a
baptism. Baptismal towels are often
given to the parents as keepsakes.
Altar cloths
Altar cloths are custom-made linens that cover the main
altar and are embroidered with five crosses, one in each
corner of the mensa and a centered embroidery. The five
crosses on the fair linen are meant to depict the five wounds
of Christ. A fair linen usually includes a drop, which is
completely at the discretion of the altar guild. Drops on a fair
linen vary enormously, but a short drop ( 4" or less ) on a fair
linen is discouraged, as the drop is not sufficient to hang
properly. Longer drops on fair linens are encouraged, as they
are visually more pleasing. Fair linens often include a lace
trim on the drop. Fair linens should be stored rolled when
not in use. The fair linen represents the shroud in which
Jesus was wrapped for burial.
Just as the altar is a sign for us of Christ the living stone, altar
cloths are used "out of reverence for the celebration of the
memorial of the Lord and the banquet that gives us his body
and" By their beauty and form they add to the dignity of the
altar in much the same way that vestments solemnly
ornament the priests and sacred ministers. Such cloths also
serve a practical purpose, however, in absorbing whatever
may be spilled of the Precious Blood or other sacramental
elements. Thus the material of altar cloths should be
absorbent and easily laundered.
Credence linens
Credence linens are custom-made linens that
cover the credence table, which holds the bread
and wine before consecration. The credence
table is used at the offertory. Credence linens
are embroidered with one center cross.

Liturgical Linens

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Liturgical Linens

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Liturgical Linens

Liturgical linens are cloths use to cover or purify the liturgical

They contain the crumbs of the consecrated hosts that may

The leather pouch used to hold the pyx is

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