Why does the priest cover the chalice during Mass?
The pall (palla) is a stiffened square card covered with white linen, usually embroidered with a cross, or some other appropriate symbol. The purpose of the pall is to keep dust and insects from falling into the Eucharistic elements. … Embroidery in the centre was not used, lest the chalice become unstable.
Why do priests kiss their stoles?
As a priest dons his/her stole, the cross on the stole’s neckpiece is kissed acknowledging the yoke of Christ – the yoke of service. A bishop’s stole hangs straight down allowing space for a pectoral cross (often worn by bishops) to be symbolically close to the bishop’s heart.
What is the priest doing during Mass?
The priest breaks the host and places a piece in the main chalice; this is important as it symbolizes that the Body and Blood of Christ are both present within one another. Meanwhile, the “Lamb of God” (“Agnus Dei” in Latin) is sung or recited.
Why does the priest pour water in the wine?
The practice of mixing water and wine was common in the ancient world. Wines were usually heavier than most modern vintages and to dilute them a bit made them more palatable and less inebriating. … Thus the wine used at Mass was mixed with water before the consecration in the usual manner of all wine.
Why is water put in communion wine?
In preparing the sacrament, the priest blesses the water to represent the grace of God bestowed during baptism with water. The holy water is then mixed with red wine, which symbolises the blood of Christ, so as to represent the uniting of man-seeking-God (Baptism) and God-reaching-out-to-man (the Passion).
Why do Catholic priests wear vestments?
For the Eucharist, each vestment symbolizes a spiritual dimension of the priesthood, with roots in the very origins of the Church. In some measure these vestments harken to the Roman roots of the Western Church. … Some are used by all Western Christians in liturgical traditions.
What is the thing called that holds the Eucharist?
ciborium, plural Ciboria, or Ciboriums, in religious art, any receptacle designed to hold the consecrated Eucharistic bread of the Christian church. The ciborium is usually shaped like a rounded goblet, or chalice, having a dome-shaped cover.
What is a priest amice?
amice, (derived from Latin amictus, “wrapped around”), liturgical vestment worn under the alb. It is a rectangular piece of white linen held around the neck and shoulders by two bands tied at the waist.
Do priests have to finish the wine?
According to church law, wine which has been consecrated must be consumed as part of the Mass. “What option do I have but drink the wine, as the chalices have to be emptied before being put back in the tabernacle?” he said.
Does communion have to be bread and wine?
There are only two elements required for communion: bread and wine. … While the bread and wine do not actually undergo a physical change, most Catholics believe that the substances actually become the body and blood of Christ in another manner. This process is called transubstantiation.
Why do Catholic priests kiss the altar?
In kissing the altar, the priest symbolizes the bond between Christ and his church; acknowledges the sacrifices of those martyrs (relics) who gave their life for the furtherance of the faith; and, when performed with the deacon, is an extension of peace to the community.