Sacred Vessels for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Chalice

This is a cup made of gold or silver, or if of silver, the interior must be of gold. It holds the wine for the Holy Sacrifice, and is a striking figure of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Purificator

This is a linen cloth used for wiping the chalice, and the fingers and mouth of the celebrant after Communion. It is spread over the cup of the chalice at the beginning and end of Mass.

Paten

This is a plate of gold or silver upon which the large bread for consecration rests until the Offertory. Of old it was necessarily larger than now, for it held all the breads to be consecrated.

Pall

This is a square pocket-shaped piece of linen with a cardboard inserted in order to stiffen it. It is placed over the chalice to prevent dust or other matter falling into it.

Chalice Veil

This is the cloth which covers the chalice until the Offertory, and again after the Communion. It also is made of the same material and color as the vestments.

Burse and Corporal

The Burse is a square container for the corporal when the latter is not in use. It is made of the same material and color as the vestments. The Corporal is a square piece of linen. In size and appearance it resembles a small napkin. It is spread out on the altar, and the chalice is placed upon it. During the Mass the Sacred Host rests for a time on the Corporal.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Altar, Sacred Vessels, and Vestments, from "Mass and the Sacraments" by Fr. John Laux, M.A., Benziger Brothers 1934, Nihil Obstat J.M. Lelen, Censor Librorum, Imprimatur + Francis W. Howard, Bishop of Covington, KY, USA, March 25, 1932.