Nice response to last week’s post, so here are a few more “things” that you may wonder about. Or not.
The Mystery under the Veil
You’ve noticed on the altar prior to a Eucharist, there is a tent like device centered on the altar. You probably know there is a chalice under it. But, that’s not all. Here’s what you find in a typical set up. Some variation is allowed.
The Veil The tent like covering, which is most noticeable from the nave, (area where the people sit) is called a veil. It’s typically the liturgical color of the day, though it may be white instead. At some point in the history of the Church, the chalice to be used in the Eucharist was brought to the altar in a cloth bag. The purpose of the bag is simply to protect the chalice, which is always of some precious metal and may be adorned with jewels. Many parishes store their vessels in such simple bags. During the middle ages, the chalice came to the altar draped in a covering rather than a bag. That covering developed into the veil.
The veil, which began with a utilitarian function, soon took on symbolic meaning. There are several possible. Some say it represents the veil of the Temple which separates the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple. Since it will house the blood of Christ, it should be treated with reverence. There is a simpler meaning. There have been periods in the Church, particularly the Anglican Communion, in which the Eucharist was not celebrated each week. If you came to church and saw the veil, it signaled that there would be a Eucharist--no veil, no Eucharist.
The Burse Sitting atop the veil is a square of about eight or nine inches that is cloth covered and hinged. It too is in the liturgical color of the day. Removing the burse is the first liturgical action. Burse comes from the Latin word meaning “purse.” When the burse is opened, it will typically have additional purificators (the cloths the chalice bearers use to wipe the chalice after serving someone). After removing the purificators, the burse is removed from the altar. Then the veil is removed, folded and also removed from the altar. Sometimes, rather than purificators, the burse contains the “corporal” (see below).
The Pall The chalice can now be seen and sitting atop it is a small, rigid, white cloth covered square, embroidered with a cross in the center, and called a “pall.” It’s purpose is to be available to cover the chalice during the Eucharistic prayer as needed to keep things from falling into the chalice. Believe it or not, I’ve used it many times to keep small fruit flies from flying into the chalice during the Eucharistic Prayer. Where they come from is another mystery. It is set aside on the altar during the prayer when not needed for that.
The Corporal The Corporal is a piece of white linen about eighteen inches square with a cross embroidered on it in the center of the top third of the cloth. It lies on top of the pall. The deacon takes the corporal, unfolds it, and places it in the center of the altar, with one edge lined up with the edge of the altar closest to the priest who will celebrate. On this cloth will be placed the chalice into which wine is poured and which the celebrate will consecrate. Additionally, a “ciborium” will be brought to the altar and placed on the corporal. The ciborium, which means “stemmed cup” hold the majority of the bread to be consecrated. The placement of the corporal is utilitarian--it protects the linen covering of the altar (“Fair Linen”) from drips and catches any stray crumbs of bread. Very often after the Eucharist, during the cleaning in the sacristy (a small room where the vessels and linens are kept), crumbs will be found and reverently disposed of. The corporal may also be laid on the altar prior to setting up the chalice, veil, etc. Traditions vary.
The Paten Under the pall is the “paten” which is a small plate on which the larger host (Priest’s Host) is placed. Paten comes from the Latin word for small dish. This is the vessel the celebrant will use to serve the consecrated bread. Under the paten is another purificator which is draped over the chalice. The purificator serves several purposes. Placed here, it protects the lip of the chalice from damage from the paten. It also is available for the deacon or some other server to use with the chalice.
There you have it. That’s the mystery of the veil.
Ritually yours, Jerry+
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