The Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist - Part II

Last week we began a look at the second section of Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist. You’ll recall the opening of this section involves the collection and the Offertory. One other thing that takes place while the collection is being taken up and the Offertory Procession is being readied, and that is the Preparation of the Table (altar) for Communion.

In this preparation, the deacon, assisted by altar servers, moves to a special table called the credence table. This table usually sits in proximity to the altar in the sanctuary. In our parish, those who sit on the choir side of the church might be able to spot it.

On this table there will be one or more chalices, which will hold the Precious Blood. There will also be purificators. These are rectangular strips of white cloth with a red cross embroidered on them. They are used to catch any droplets of the precious blood, as well as to cleanse the sacred vessels during the purification (which will be covered in a separate article).

The deacon places a corporal (a white square piece of cloth) on the altar, then arranges the chalices and purificators. The corporal will catch any fragments of the Blessed Sacrament. The Roman Missal, the book from which the prayers of the Mass are read, is also placed on the altar.

When the Offertory Procession reaches the priest, the priest and deacons will take the ciboria (the vessels holding the unconsecrated hosts), the paten (the circular golden plate on which the priest’s host resides) and the cruet of wine from the procession and place these on the altar as well. The table is now prepared for the blessing of the bread and wine, which will ultimately become the Real Presence of our Lord.

“Among the requisites for the celebration of the Mass, the sacred vessels are held in special honor, and among these especially the chalice and the paten, in which the bread and wine are offered and consecrated and from which they are consumed.” – General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 327.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at eucharist@stmli.org.