Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church considers the purification of sacred vessels a highly important ritual. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that the purification of sacred vessels used at Mass must be done by a priest or deacon or a formally instituted acolyte. The ritual involves purifying the paten or ciborium over the chalice and then purifying the chalice, with the priest or deacon consuming any remaining eucharistic elements. This is done to ensure proper reverence for Christ's presence in the Eucharist and to collect any particles of the Hosts, which are then consumed by the priest. While the US Conference of Catholic Bishops had obtained special permission for non-ordained extraordinary ministers to perform this ritual, this permission was not extended beyond 2005.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can purify sacred vessels | Priest, deacon, or an instituted acolyte |
| Who cannot purify sacred vessels | Extraordinary ministers (lay people) |
| When to purify sacred vessels | After communion or after mass |
| Where to purify sacred vessels | At the altar or credence table |
| How to purify sacred vessels | Gather fragments and consume them, add water to the chalice, purify fingers, consume the ablution |
| Purpose of purification | To ensure no eucharistic elements remain in the sacred vessels, to show reverence for Christ's sacred body and blood |
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What You'll Learn
Who can purify sacred vessels?
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the ritual purification of sacred vessels used at Mass must be carried out by a priest or deacon, or a formally instituted acolyte. The GIRM states that:
> "The sacred vessels are purified by the priest, the deacon, or an instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass, insofar as possible at the credence table."
The priest, deacon, or acolyte gathers and consumes any fragments remaining from the consecrated hosts. They then transfer any small particles of the hosts remaining in the ciborium or on a paten to the chalice. Water is then added to the remaining eucharistic elements in the chalice, purifying the fingers of the priest or deacon that handled the consecrated hosts. Finally, the priest or deacon consumes the remaining contents of the chalice and uses a purificator to remove any remaining elements.
In 2002, the bishops of the United States received special permission (an "indult") from the Congregation for Divine Worship to allow non-ordained "extraordinary ministers" to purify sacred vessels after the distribution of Holy Communion. This was due to a shortage of priests or deacons available to purify a large number of chalices used at Mass. This indult was granted for a period of three years. In 2006, the US bishops sought an extension of the indult, but this request was denied by the Holy See. Therefore, as of 2008, the universal law as stated in GIRM remains in force, and only priests, deacons, or instituted acolytes are permitted to purify sacred vessels in the United States.
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How to purify the chalice
The purification of sacred vessels, including the chalice, is a ritualized practice in the Catholic Church. It is performed to ensure that any particles of the Host are collected and consumed, showing reverence for Christ's presence. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purify the chalice:
Preparation
Firstly, it is important to note that the purification of sacred vessels is typically performed by a priest, deacon, or formally instituted acolyte, as outlined in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). In some cases, with special permission, non-ordained "extraordinary ministers" may also perform this task.
Gathering Fragments
After Holy Communion, the priest gathers any fragments of the host and drops of the Precious Blood. This is done by wiping the fingers over the paten or washing them if necessary. Any fragments that have fallen outside the paten are also collected.
Purifying the Chalice
The priest then stands at the altar or credence table to purify the chalice. The paten is held at an angle over the chalice to allow any tiny fragments to fall into it. If needed, a folded purificator or the thumb can be used to loosen and collect the particles, ensuring that the chalice is thoroughly purified.
Consuming the Contents
Once all the fragments have been collected in the chalice, the priest drinks any remaining Precious Blood and empties the fragments from the paten into the chalice. The chalice is then purified with water, which is consumed by the priest. This act symbolizes consuming the fragments of the consecrated host and any remaining drops of the Precious Blood.
Drying and Washing
After purification, the chalice is dried with a purificator. At this point, the chalice can be washed with soap if necessary, especially if many people have partaken from the same chalice. However, excessive washing can damage the metal parts of the chalice, so it is not recommended as a daily practice.
By following these steps, the chalice is properly purified, ensuring reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and the Real Presence of Christ.
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Purification after Mass
Purification of sacred vessels is a ritual that ensures that any particles of the Hosts are collected into the chalice and consumed. This is done out of reverence for Christ's sacred body and blood. Typically, the sacred vessels are purified by a priest, deacon, or instituted acolyte. However, in some cases, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, who are laypeople, have been granted special permission to perform this task.
After Mass, the sacred vessels can be purified at the altar or the credence table. If there are several vessels to be purified, they may be left covered on a corporal at the altar or the credence table and purified immediately after Mass. The purification process involves the priest, deacon, or acolyte gathering any fragments of the consecrated bread and collecting them into the chalice, along with any drops of the Precious Blood. Water is then added to the chalice, purifying the vessels and the hands of the person performing the ritual. The remaining contents of the chalice, including the water, are then consumed.
In some cases, the purification may be done by a concelebrating priest or deacon while the prayer after Communion is taking place, to save time. This practice is considered acceptable as long as it does not distract the faithful during their thanksgiving after Communion.
After the purification ritual, the vessels can be washed and prepared for the next Mass by a sacristan or another minister. This washing is considered separate from the ritual purification, which carries greater spiritual significance.
The specific procedures for purifying sacred vessels are outlined in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), which provides guidance for the Catholic Church. While there have been requests to extend the permission for extraordinary ministers to perform this task, the general law remains that this ritual is typically reserved for ordained ministers.
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Purification away from the altar
Purification of sacred vessels is a ritual that must be performed by a priest, deacon, or formally instituted acolyte, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). However, in certain cases, non-ordained "extraordinary ministers" may also be permitted to carry out this task.
During the purification ritual, any fragments of the host and drops of the Precious Blood are gathered and consumed by the priest, deacon, or acolyte. They transfer any small particles of the hosts remaining in the ciborium or on a paten to the chalice. Water is then added to the chalice, purifying the priest or deacon's fingers that have handled the consecrated hosts. The remaining contents of the chalice are then consumed, and a purificator is used to remove any remaining traces.
In some cases, the purification may be performed away from the altar, at a credence table. If the vessels are purified at the altar, they are then carried to the credence table by a minister. However, if there are multiple vessels to be purified, they may be left covered on a corporal at the altar or credence table and purified after Mass following the dismissal of the people.
The purpose of this ritual is to ensure proper reverence for Christ's presence in the Eucharist, even in the smallest particle or drop of the consecrated elements. It is a time of prayer and reflection for the priest or deacon performing the purification.
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The role of ministers
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the ritual purification of sacred vessels used during Mass should be performed by a priest, deacon, or a formally instituted acolyte. These individuals are considered "ordinary ministers". The GIRM specifies that the purification should take place at the credence table, if possible, and outlines the steps involved in purifying the paten, chalice, and other vessels.
However, in certain situations, there has been a need for flexibility. In the United States, for example, there were instances where the number of priests or deacons was insufficient to purify a large number of chalices used during Mass. As a result, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) obtained special permission, known as an "indult", from the Congregation for Divine Worship in 2002. This indult allowed non-ordained "extraordinary ministers" to assist in purifying sacred vessels after the distribution of Communion. This permission was granted for a period of three years due to "grave pastoral reasons".
The role of extraordinary ministers in the purification process has been a subject of debate. Advocates argue that it facilitates offering Communion in both species (consecrated bread and wine) when there is a large congregation. However, critics point out that it blurs the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary ministers, with some considering it equivalent to ordinary "washing up".
In 2006, the US bishops sought an extension of the indult, but this request was officially denied by the Holy See. As a result, the universal law as stated in GIRM, no. 279, came into force, reaffirming that the purification of sacred vessels is the responsibility of the priest, deacon, or instituted acolyte after Communion or after Mass.
It is important to note that outside of Mass, duly authorized extraordinary ministers may perform other duties, including taking Communion to the sick and conducting Communion services when no ordained minister is available. In such cases, they may also purify any sacred vessels that require purification.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the ritual purification of sacred vessels must be done by a priest, deacon, or a formally instituted acolyte.
"Purification" refers to ensuring that no Eucharistic elements remain in the sacred vessels, out of reverence for Christ's sacred body and blood.
The purification of sacred vessels typically occurs after Communion or after Mass, at the credence table. If there are many vessels to purify, it may be done immediately after Mass following the dismissal of the people.
The priest, deacon, or acolyte gathers any fragments of the consecrated bread and collects them into the chalice, along with any drops of the Precious Blood. Water is then added to the chalice, purifying the vessels and the person's fingers that handled the hosts.
While advocates argue that allowing extraordinary ministers (lay people) to assist in purification facilitates offering Communion in both bread and wine, it blurs the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary ministers. The Holy See has denied requests from US bishops to extend this practice, upholding the general law of the Latin Church.
