Purificators

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sacristan1

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At what point is a Purificator considered ready for retirement. We have some with very ragged edges that we have trim prior to use to prevent the stringy edges from falling into the Sacred Vessel. We also have some with holes on the sides that we have been asked to try to fold over to they won’t be seen. I personally won’t send anything with holes to the Altar but it is very difficult to get new linens. Can you please give me something in writing from the Church saying when the linens need to be retired.
Thank you.
 
sacristan1 said:
At what point is a Purificator considered ready for retirement. We have some with very ragged edges that we have trim prior to use to prevent the stringy edges from falling into the Sacred Vessel. We also have some with holes on the sides that we have been asked to try to fold over to they won’t be seen. I personally won’t send anything with holes to the Altar but it is very difficult to get new linens. Can you please give me something in writing from the Church saying when the linens need to be retired.
Thank you.
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When they are no longer fit for use.
 
I would also add to that: when the parish can afford to buy new ones.
 
It also depends very much on the material resources of the parish. A parish which has more money to spend on a daily basis should replace purificators more often. A parish for which money is very tight and “every dollar counts” they might be replaced less frequently. The definition of “fit for use” can be very subjective. We may never diminish the dignity of the Holy Sacrifice, but we should also keep in mind that there is no indignity in poverty (quite the opposite).
 
Our Parish can definitely afford to purchase them but the linens seem to be last on the list.
 
I remember seeing something on EWTN saying never send linens to the Altar with holes in them.
 
sacristan1 said:
I remember seeing something on EWTN saying never send linens to the Altar with holes in them.
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True. But if the people in the parish are wearing clothes with holes in them, and the parish doesn’t have the funds to replace the purificators, it might not be possible to buy new ones. There are mission parishes right here in the US which are in that position.
 
sacristan1 said:
At what point is a Purificator considered ready for retirement. We have some with very ragged edges that we have trim prior to use to prevent the stringy edges from falling into the Sacred Vessel. We also have some with holes on the sides that we have been asked to try to fold over to they won’t be seen. I personally won’t send anything with holes to the Altar but it is very difficult to get new linens. Can you please give me something in writing from the Church saying when the linens need to be retired.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Every parish that I have been in has an Altar Society and their duty has always been to help provide for the altar breads and linens, flowers on major feast days and I don’t know what all. The proceeds from their bazzars and fundraisers help in this effort. If you have an Altar Society, let them know about the sad condition of the purificators so they can help with the purchase of new ones.
 
A parish on a strict budget might also check someone like Elizabeth Morgan (churchlinens.com/) who sells quality fabrics for liturgical use. Vestments and altar linens can be made at a fraction of the price of ready-made. You have to search around for someone who sells good-quality fabric, though. Many fabric stores simply don’t carry anything of the type and quality needed for liturgical use.
 
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