Ablutions

[AveMaria12]

Hello!
I am wondering about the symbolism or purpose of using wine at the ablution after the priest distributes Communion.

In Christo
Patrick Le

 

[Gidge]

Hello!
I am wondering about the symbolism or purpose of using wine at the ablution after the priest distributes Communion.

In Christo
Patrick Le

To cleanse the chalice.

 

[AveMaria12]

To cleanse the chalice.

But why with wine? In the NO, we just use water, no wine…

 

[Gidge]

I am not sure, but would guess that the wine (alcohol) has better cleansing properties ?

Would you wash you dishes with just cold water ?

The chalice is much more than just “dishes” as it holds the Precious Blood.
Wash with wine, cleanse with water.

When I was an altar boy (Nouvus Ordo) we had a visiting priest and he requested “more wine” I too was puzzled, and did as he asked…I never gave it any thought until I started attending the EF – old habits die hard, and the priest I served for was probably of the old school.