I'm stumped. Can you help with this one?

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Catholicdeacon

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Hi CA Folks!
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First... Many blessings, I'm a big fan of your products (Forums, radio programs, videos, books, etc) I think you are a blessing for the Church. I'm a Deacon at the Archdiocese of Baltimore and usually get a lot of apologetic questions, which I have no problems answering, however someone asked me a questions which I do not know how to answer. Maybe you can help me?
During the sacrament of Confirmation, when a Bishop is officiating, some time (Not all Bishops do this) they will watch their hands with lemon and bread, in a bowl filled with water. Why? Why lemon and bread? Is there any symbolism behind this?

Please feel free to edit this question anyway you want.

Thanks!

CatholicDeacon
AKA Deacon Harbey Santiago, Archdiocese of Baltimore
 
Hi,

The lemon cuts the oil quite effectively and the bread is used to dry the hands. It sounds primitive to us. But in the early days of the Church these items were available in most places. Today we have modern means of cleaning the hands, but this reminds us that the Church has been around a long, long time.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
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