K
kimbaichan
Guest
Is there a ritual significance to the priest cleaning the vessels during Mass? I’m thinking so that no parts of the Body and Blood of Jesus are mistreated but why is it part of Mass?
- Status
O
OhMalley
Guest
Precisely. The sacred vessels are purified before washing to ensure the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ are consumed and not poured down the sacrarium or sewer. The sign value of respect is tremendous.
K
kimbaichan
Guest
Thanx, OhMalley. Don’t we know that He’ll be treated with respect, whether we see it or not? Or, do we see this act in order to encourage our respect and awe of the Eucharist?
F
FrDavid96
Guest
That’s true, but at the same time, the vessels are purified as soon as possible because we don’t want to delay it any longer than necessary. If it is truly necessary it’s permitted to purify them after Mass. Even if no one were to see it (which happens when the priest is facing the same direction as the congregation), it should still be done.
We also don’t want to take the chance that the priest might forget to do so later.
J
japhy
Guest
Sadly, no, we don’t know that for a fact. I witnessed an EMHC at my parish pouring the remaining contents of the Chalice down the sink (not sure if it was the sacrarium or not!) in the sacristy.
Only bishops, priests, deacons, or instituted acolytes (the only laymen in this list) are permitted to purify the sacred vessels. EMHCs (other than instituted acolytes) are not allowed to do so.
K
kimbaichan
Guest
Thanks for your answers, guys! I appreciate your help.–KChan
M
mwscott
Guest
Its important to note that purifying is the act of rinsing with water and drinking the remaining water. Once the vessels have been purified by a bishop, priest, deacon, or acolyte a lay person such as an EMHC or the sacristan may further wash the vessels or polish them.
K
kimbaichan
Guest
Thank you, Mike. It does seem funny to me that we call it purifying when it has contained the True Presence of Christ. I think I understand the reasons behind the act, although, I thought it would be charged with more meaning, it seems like it’s just cleaning.
K
Kyle_Moreland
Guest
I remember serving in my old parish. We had this very laid back priest-his daily mass was over in 10 minutes! 
Anyway, I would always serve the daily mass and he would never purify the sacred vessels after Holy Communion-he told me to do it. Now, I know that it is totally against church teachings. But I tried to “mimic” other priests that I have seen purifying the vessels-I even said the prayer: “Lord, may I recieve these gifts in purity in heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and forever.” Is this wrong of me, or am I okay since I was just doing as I was told?
Anyway, I would always serve the daily mass and he would never purify the sacred vessels after Holy Communion-he told me to do it. Now, I know that it is totally against church teachings. But I tried to “mimic” other priests that I have seen purifying the vessels-I even said the prayer: “Lord, may I recieve these gifts in purity in heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and forever.” Is this wrong of me, or am I okay since I was just doing as I was told?
P
plato3
Guest
****It’s more than just cleaning-it is witnessing to all that we really believe any particles left are really Jesus and must be treated as such. I have the privilege of purifying and take this duty seriously.
Dcn. Tony
Dcn. Tony
O
OhMalley
Guest
Unconsecrated wine is also quite acceptable.
F
FrDavid96
Guest
Good point. I understand that the rubrics for the extraordinary form call for the priest to purify the chalice first with wine, then with water but only the first Mass of the day. GIRM 279 says water or wine & water. I’ve never seen it done with wine at the OF though.
M
mwscott
Guest
I did not know that.
P
patwolford
Guest
The only time I’ve seen water, then wine was when we had two older priests that were ordained way before the changes were made, they both did it.
B
bpbasilphx
Guest
The priest takes the ablutions because he probably does not have a deacon to do so.
It’s to make sure all of the Holy Eucharist is consumed.
In the Byzantine Liturgy, if there is no deacon, the priest does so after the dismissal.
It’s to make sure all of the Holy Eucharist is consumed.
In the Byzantine Liturgy, if there is no deacon, the priest does so after the dismissal.
J
John_Lilburne
Guest
It is not required to clean the vessels during the Mass.
From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“163. When the distribution of Communion is finished, the priest himself immediately and
completely consumes at the altar any consecrated wine that happens to remain; …
Nevertheless, it is also permitted, especially if there are several vessels to be purified, to
leave them suitably covered on a corporal, either at the altar or at the credence table, and to
purify them immediately after Mass following the dismissal of the people.”
The purification can take place during Mass, and is described in n. 163. But the option to do this after Mass is provided.
- Status