Purifying Sacred Vessels

[JGMendes4049]

I’m an altar server. At my church, when the priest/deacon is purifying the vessels, they have an altar server pour the water for the purification. The servers aren’t doing the purification, but they’re kind of doing part of it. Is this allowed? None of us are instituted acolytes so we can’t purify vessels.

 

[Godfollower]

The priest, deacon, or instituted acolyte purifies the vessels. But there’s nothing wrong with someone else carrying them, providing the water or the purificators, or what have you. The point here is to avoid blurring the distinction between clergy and laity, and no such blurring takes place when you hand water to the priest or pour it where directed.

 

[GwenL]

Our rector keeps his thumbs and forefingers together after consecration and until ablutions, in both the EF and OF. Therefore, an altar server must pour the water. We pour the water over his thumbs and forefingers, which he holds over a chalice. We pour enough water in the chalice so he has extra water to use to purify all of the vessels.

It’d be really, really interesting to see how he could do this himself, without an altar server helping. The EF rubrics call for the altar server to pour water and wine in this fashion also.

 

[JGMendes4049]

The priest, deacon, or instituted acolyte purifies the vessels. But there’s nothing wrong with someone else carrying them, providing the water or the purificators, or what have you. The point here is to avoid blurring the distinction between clergy and laity, and no such blurring takes place when you hand water to the priest or pour it where directed.

Oh okay, thanks!

 

[TheMc]

Yes, as the above posters said, this is normal, allowed, and the traditional way of purifying the vessels.

 

[JerrySeibert]

Our rector keeps his thumbs and forefingers together after consecration and until ablutions, in both the EF and OF. Therefore, an altar server must pour the water. We pour the water over his thumbs and forefingers,

What an awesome respect given to the Eucharist. Please thank this Priest for me. He is giving our Lord the utmost respect. SO, so awesome.

 

[Jim_Roberts]

I’m an altar server. At my church, when the priest/deacon is purifying the vessels, they have an altar server pour the water for the purification. The servers aren’t doing the purification, but they’re kind of doing part of it. Is this allowed? None of us are instituted acolytes so we can’t purify vessels.

Of course this is tolerated! He is only pouring the water and being an aid to the priest.

 

[ElToro]

GwenL;8147254:

Our rector keeps his thumbs and forefingers together after consecration and until ablutions, in both the EF and OF. Therefore, an altar server must pour the water. We pour the water over his thumbs and forefingers,

What an awesome respect given to the Eucharist. Please thank this Priest for me. He is giving our Lord the utmost respect. SO, so awesome.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with the practice but it’s one of those from the past that some people make a huge deal about because of its history, not its function.

Nevertheless while it has little practical function (much like the lavabo) is sends out a huge, positive message.