Pouring the wine after presentation of the gifts

[hamburglar]

How should the wine from the large cruet be distributed to the multiple cups that the Extraordinary Ministers use? Should the Priest pour water into the cruet and then distribute it to the individual cups? Or put it in the cups and add water to each? Also, should the Priest pour the water in the wine while it is on the altar, or when it is on the credence table?

 

[Br_Mark]

Dear Hamburglar;

The water only has to be mingled with the presiders chalice. However if the presiding priestswants the full sybolism to be shown, it would most likely best be done while in the cruet. And yes it would be best in my opinion for this action to take place on the altar and not on the credence table since this is a “public action” vs a private devotion.

Br Mark, OSB

 

[John_Lilburne]

No, the priest should not pour water in the cruet of wine.
No, I do not see it as necessary to add water to every chalice of wine. I am not aware of detailed instructions on this in the liturgical books.
A priest should not add the water and wine at the credence table. A minister should present the cruets to him at the altar.
A deacon may add the wine and water to the chalice at the credence table.

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html …

In the section “Mass without a Deacon”:
“142. After this, as the minister presents the cruets, the priest stands at the side of the altar and pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly, Per huius aquae (By the mystery of this water). He returns to the middle of the altar, takes the chalice with both hands, raises it a little, and says quietly, *Benedictus es, Domine (Blessed are you, Lord). *Then he places the chalice on the corporal and covers it with a pall, as appropriate.
If, however, there is no Offertory chant and the organ is not played, in the presentation of the bread and wine the priest may say the formulas of blessing aloud, to which the people make the acclamation, Benedictus Deus in saecula (Blessed be God for ever).”

In the section “Mass with a Deacon”:
“178. After the Prayer of the Faithful, while the priest remains at the chair, the deacon prepares the altar, assisted by the acolyte, but it is the deacon’s place to take care of the sacred vessels himself. He also assists the priest in receiving the people’s gifts. Next, he hands the priest the paten with the bread to be consecrated, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly,* Per huius aquae (By the mystery of this water)*, and after this presents the chalice to the priest. He may also carry out the preparation of the chalice at the credence table. If incense is used, the deacon assists the priest during the incensation of the gifts, the cross, and the altar; afterwards, the deacon himself or the acolyte incenses the priest and the people.”

In the section “Mass at Which Only One Minister Participates” it has:
“255. Before Mass, the necessary vessels are prepared either at the credence table or on the righthand side of the altar.”
This is different to a normal Mass, when the vessels are to be at the credence table. In the description of Mass With Only One Minister it has, “265. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, everything is done as in a Mass with a congregation, with the following exceptions.” No exception is given to the method of adding the water and wine to the chalice.

GIRM 306-308 has a detailed list of what should be put on the altar. It does not include the cruets with the water and wine.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

How should the wine from the large cruet be distributed to the multiple cups that the Extraordinary Ministers use? Should the Priest pour water into the cruet and then distribute it to the individual cups? Or put it in the cups and add water to each? Also, should the Priest pour the water in the wine while it is on the altar, or when it is on the credence table?

The cups can be prepared in either place. The wine is poured into the extra chalices first along with the main chalice.

Water is added to the main chalice only.

 

[hamburglar]

I think my main question had to deal with when the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups, and where this should happen.

I am correct in saying that the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups before the preface?

The biggest thing I was wondering is where it should be distributed. Should the wine be distributed to the cups while on the credence table, or on the Altar?

 

[LeahInancsi]

I think my main question had to deal with when the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups, and where this should happen.

I am correct in saying that the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups before the preface?

The biggest thing I was wondering is where it should be distributed. Should the wine be distributed to the cups while on the credence table, or on the Altar?

I’m thoroughly confused. What is the credence table?

Every priest I’ve observed has poured the wine into the cruet and then poured the wine with water into each chalice on the Altar.

There has been one exception. One local parish has the sacristians distribute the Eucharists to the bowls (wrong term) and the wine to the chalices. That disturbed me so much, I don’t recall that the priest has any contact with it other than the large waffer he holds up during the Eucharistic prayer.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I think my main question had to deal with when the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups, and where this should happen.

I am correct in saying that the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups before the preface?

The biggest thing I was wondering is where it should be distributed. Should the wine be distributed to the cups while on the credence table, or on the Altar?

(Without looking) At the preparation of the gifts before the preface, and at either location is ok.

 

[patrick457]

I’m thoroughly confused. What is the credence table?

A *Credence Table *(or simply Credence) is, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

A small table of wood, marble, or other suitable material placed within the sanctuary of a church and near the wall at the Epistle side, for the purpose of holding the cruets, acolytes’ candles, and other utensils required for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I think my main question had to deal with when the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups, and where this should happen.

I am correct in saying that the wine should be poured from the cruet into the cups before the preface?

The biggest thing I was wondering is where it should be distributed. Should the wine be distributed to the cups while on the credence table, or on the Altar?

I suggest reading post #3 again.