Using the Credence table instead of the Altar

[Cid]

At Mass today the priest had no altar server. The wine and sacred vessels were on the side table in the sanctuary. The priest poured some wine and water into the chalice at the side table before bringing it to the altar and then proceeding with the offertory prayer as usual.
Is this right? I thought that the pouring of the wine into the chalice is an action that rightfully belongs on the altar but I am only basing this assertion on what I am used to seeing the priest do at Mass.

 

[dshix]

At Mass today the priest had no altar server. The wine and sacred vessels were on the side table in the sanctuary. The priest poured some wine and water into the chalice at the side table before bringing it to the altar and then proceeding with the offertory prayer as usual.
Is this right? I thought that the pouring of the wine into the chalice is an action that rightfully belongs on the altar but I am only basing this assertion on what I am used to seeing the priest do at Mass.

It’s different than what I’ve seen before (usually I see the priest place the things he needs from the credence table in the corner of the altar so he doesn’t need to leave the altar), but I don’t see why it would be rubrically wrong.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

When there is no altar server our priests often prepare the chalice at the credence table. Most commonly they do this at weekday masses but I’ve observed the practice on weekends as well.

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, #73 (in part)

First of all, the altar or Lord’s table, which is the center of the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist,[69] is made ready when on it are placed the corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice (unless this last is prepared at the credence table).

This seems to indicate that preparation of the chalice (pouring of the wine & water) may be done at the credence table.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

When there is no altar server our priests often prepare the chalice at the credence table. Most commonly they do this at weekday masses but I’ve observed the practice on weekends as well.

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, #73 (in part)

First of all, the altar or Lord’s table, which is the center of the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist,[69] is made ready when on it are placed the corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice (unless this last is prepared at the credence table).

This seems to indicate that preparation of the chalice (pouring of the wine & water) may be done at the credence table.

^^This covers it. What you describe is perfectly within the acceptable. This is often how things are done at daily Masses.

 

[FrDavid96]

At Mass today the priest had no altar server. The wine and sacred vessels were on the side table in the sanctuary. The priest poured some wine and water into the chalice at the side table before bringing it to the altar and then proceeding with the offertory prayer as usual.
Is this right? I thought that the pouring of the wine into the chalice is an action that rightfully belongs on the altar but I am only basing this assertion on what I am used to seeing the priest do at Mass.

This is a situation where we have to keep in mind what is really important.

The important act is when the priest places the filled chalice onto the opened corporal when he says “Blessed are you Lord God…it will become our spiritual drink.” That’s the important act (in this topic). That’s the part that really matters. The reason is that (in a certain sense) that is the beginning of the Sacrifice–when the offerings are placed onto the corporal (which is itself on the altar).

Whether the empty chalice itself is on the altar or at the credence table while it’s being filled is not an important value. For practical reasons, especially if there’s no one assisting, the priest might place the chalice on the side of the altar, or even on the corporal. If he does the later, then he still has to lift up the chalice to say the prayer, then replace the chalice onto the opened corporal (which I find a bit odd, but not against the rubrics).

For purely practical reasons, we need to have several options available for the specific part of pouring the wine & water into the chalice.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the Roman Missal, The Order of Mass:
“20. Then follows the Universal Prayer, that is, the Prayer of the Faithful or Bidding Prayers.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
21. When all this has been done, the Offertory Chant begins. Meanwhile, the ministers place the corporal, the purificator, the chalice, the pall and the Missal on the altar.”

From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:
“306. For only what is required for the celebration of the Mass may be placed on the altar table: namely, from the beginning of the celebration until the proclamation of the Gospel, the Book of the Gospels; then from the Presentation of the Gifts until the purification of the vessels, the chalice with the paten, a ciborium if necessary, and, finally, the corporal, the purificator, the pall, and the Missal.
In addition, arranged discreetly, there should be whatever may be needed to amplify the Priest’s voice.”

So the cruets with water and wine are not among the things to be placed on the altar.

So without an altar server, the priest would place an empty chalice on the altar. Then the empty chalice would be taken to the credence table to have the water and wine added.

 

[paperwight66]

So the priest is meant to go to the credence table, pick up the chalice and bring it to the altar, and put it down, then pick up the same chalice and take it back to the credence table?

Hmmm…

 

[FrDavid96]

…
So the cruets with water and wine are not among the things to be placed on the altar.

…

When did anyone ask about placing the cruets on the altar?

 

[FrDavid96]

So the priest is meant to go to the credence table, pick up the chalice and bring it to the altar, and put it down, then pick up the same chalice and take it back to the credence table?

Hmmm…

As I wrote earlier, there are different ways of doing this.

By just reading the rubrics, this might not seem to make a whole lot of sense. So let me describe it, and maybe it will be a little more clear…

The chalice gets placed on the side of the altar (not the center) near the credence table
The priest reaches to the credence table and picks up the wine then water.
He pours each into the chalice.
He moves to the center of the altar.
He places the chalice onto the corporal, with the accompanying prayers.

This works if the credence table is within reach of the altar. It might be, or it might not, as either way is acceptable.

If the credence table is too far from the altar, then another method has to be used.