Altar Linens

[mrfasttrack]

I joined a new parish last year that celebrates both Novus Ordo and Extraordinary Form in Latin. They cover the communion rail with a linen cloth which is something I have never seen before. What bothers me is that the cloth is fixed to back of the rail and is flipped over just before communion and then flipped back after communion. I feel that it should be treated just as the altar linens are. That is, you would not shake the coverlet after removing it as any possible particles would hit the floor. Now I understand that the servers use a Paten and their purpose is catch any particles. However last week one of the priests gave communion without a server. So now I really have a problem since it is more than likely that some particles fell to the communion rail covering. Has anyone else ever encountered a linen covering over the communion rail? Should it be treated the same as an altar linen?

 

[corsair]

Our FSSP parish in Seattle uses a Communion Rail cover. The Communicants slip their hands under the cover when receiving. I have never seen a priest drop any Host or particle. I can understand your concern but I don’t think there is a problem. We are doing everything possible to not desecrate the Host. (Far more than in many parishes I’ve been in)

 

[prstoessel]

When receiving on the tongue, as should always be the case at a communion rail, there is little opportunity for particles to fall. Hence, in my opinion, the reason for abandoning the practice of receiving on the hand. Think about all the particles of the Eucharist that fall to the ground after one received on the hand, picks it up with the fingers, and transfers to the mouth.

 

[dans0622]

…Has anyone else ever encountered a linen covering over the communion rail? Should it be treated the same as an altar linen?

Hello mrfasttrack,

My experience has been the same as yours and that of “Corsair.” If it were to happen that a Host was to fall onto the cloth, I am sure the priest would see to it that the cloth was “purified” in some way. I am edified by your devotion and concern for Our Lord but I don’t see a practical way of treating that cloth like a corporal.

Dan

 

[The_Curt_Jester]

Also, by putting one’s hands under the cloth, that prevents the communicant from accidentally touching the host if it is dropped.

 

[Chatter163]

These are fairly common, especially in churches with baroque architecture,