Altar cloths, candles, chalice and paten

Besides what we have seen in the last chapter, the Missal prescribes various other requisites for the due celebration of Mass. The following especially call for mention here: three altar-cloths, two wax candles, the ordinary priestly vestments, a server, a chalice and paten, clean corporal and purificator of linen, and a Missal. The altar linen and the vestments should be blessed by a bishop or by a priest with specially delegated faculties for the purpose.

The chalice and paten should be of silver, and gilded at least on the inside. They should also be consecrated by a bishop. The difficulty of procuring wholly wax candles was reported to the S.R.C., which answered, December 14, 1904, that bishops should as far as possible see that the two candles for Mass should at least have a greater proportion of beeswax than of other material, and that private priests need not anxiously inquire about the quality of the wax.

391. These things are required: 1. A stone altar, fixed or portable, consecrated by the Bishop. 2. Three altar cloths made of linen or hemp. 3. Sacred vestments, that is, blessed by the Ordinary. 4. A consecrated chalice and paten. 5. A corporal of linen or hemp, blessed by the Ordinary. 6. A pall likewise of linen or hemp. 7. A linen purificator. 8. A Missal with a cushion. 9. A Crucifix, and not merely a cross. 10. Two lighted wax candles. 11. A burse, veil, hand towel, and glass cruets. 12. A male server.

The vestments to be blessed by the Ordinary are the amice, alb, maniple, stole, chasuble, and more probably also the cincture. The other paraments do not need a blessing. More probably, the pall must also be blessed together with the corporal; but the contrary is to be said concerning... the purificator, according to the decree of Sept. 7, 1816, apud Gardellini, IV, 4376. With regard to the altar cloths, see Question --. See St. Lig., from no. 376 to no. 389.

As regards candles, however, in private Masses it is not lawful to light more than two wax candles, unless a Bishop celebrates, or unless some extraordinary solemnity or the exposition of the Most Holy Sacrament requires a greater number. - De Herdt.

297. The sacred furnishings necessary in Mass comprise three things: 1. the ornamentation of the altar; 2. the vesture of the priest; 3. the sacred vessels.

1. In the ornamentation of the altar⁴⁷⁹ the following are comprised:

a) Three cloths (or altar cloths) made of linen or hemp. These cloths must be blessed by the bishop or by the pastor or by others having the legitimate faculty. Omission of the blessing would be unbecoming and a venial sin.⁴⁸⁰ To celebrate Mass upon an altar adorned with no cloth seems to be grave irreverence and a grave sin.

b) A Missal with a cushion or small bookstand. To celebrate Mass without a Missal is considered grave irreverence because of the danger of error. If someone, however, cannot have a Missal and knows the Mass by memory, the lack of a Missal does not seem gravely irreverent.⁴⁸¹

c) Two lighted candles. It would be a grave sin to celebrate Mass without any light. Hence, if the light fails before the consecration and another cannot be had, the priest must break off the Mass; but if this occurs after the consecration, the sacrifice can and must be completed, nor ought it to be interrupted for a long time, that is, for a quarter or half an hour. To celebrate Mass with only one candle is held to be a venial sin.⁴⁸² The candles must be made of wax, at least for the greater part, unless an apostolic indult is present.⁴⁸³ Génicot,⁴⁸⁴ however, deservedly teaches that it is not a grave sin to use candles made of stearin and other vegetable substances, since they are scarcely distinguished from those which are made of beeswax. By reason of the celebrant, if he is lower than a bishop, it is not lawful to have more than two lighted candles at a strictly private Mass. I say, however, at a strictly private Mass; for if even a read Mass is celebrated by reason of some solemnity, nothing seems to prevent several candles from then being lighted upon the altar, not by reason of the Mass but by reason of the solemnity.⁴⁸⁵ Certain regular prelates can have four lighted candles at their read Masses, custom thus permitting. Electric light and gas cannot be employed for worship, but only for splendid illumination.⁴⁸⁶

d) An image of the Crucified must stand out between the candlesticks or above the tabernacle, but not in the throne of the Most Holy Sacrament,⁴⁸⁷ so that it can easily be seen not only by the celebrant but also by others. It is a light obligation.⁴⁸⁸

The cards which are customarily placed on each side of the altar are not strictly prescribed; but they are fittingly employed for the convenience of the priest.⁴⁸⁹ An antependium, which is an artistically made hanging suspended before the mensa of the altar, contributes greatly to the ornamentation of the altar. The color of the antependium is changed according to the feasts occurring each day. But the antependium is now not in use in most regions.

⁴⁷⁹ Concerning the ornamentation of the altar, the General Rubrics of the Missal, title 20, prescribe: "The altar upon which the sacrifice of the Most Holy Mass is to be celebrated must be of stone and consecrated by the bishop ...; or at least a stone altar similarly consecrated by the bishop ... is to be inserted into it, which is to be so large that it can hold the host and the greater part of the chalice. This altar is to be covered with three clean cloths or altar cloths blessed by the bishop or by another having the power: the upper one at least is to be oblong and to reach to the ground, the other two shorter, or one doubled. It is also to be adorned with a frontal of a color corresponding, insofar as this can be done, to the feast of the day or to the office. Upon the altar a cross is to be placed in the middle and at least two candlesticks with lighted candles, one on each side of it. At the foot of the cross is to be placed the card called the card of the secret prayers. On the Epistle side a cushion is to be placed under the Missal; and on the same Epistle side there are to be prepared a candle to be lighted at the elevation of the sacrament, a small bell, glass cruets of wine and water with a basin and a clean towel in a niche or upon a small table prepared for these things. Absolutely nothing is to be placed upon the altar which does not pertain to the sacrifice of the Mass or to the ornamentation of the altar itself."

⁴⁸⁰ Cf. St. Alphonsus, Theol. mor. l. 6, n. 375, dub. 2. Pastors and religious superiors can bless sacred furnishings only for their own churches. Code of Canon Law, c. 1304.

⁴⁸¹ Thus also Noldin-Schmitt, De sacr., n. 213.

⁴⁸² Cf. St. Alphonsus, loc. cit., n. 394.

⁴⁸³ Cf. Sacred Congregation of Rites, September 7, 1850; December 14, 1904 (Decr. auth., nn. 2985 and 4147).

⁴⁸⁴ Theol. mor. II, 246.

⁴⁸⁵ Sacred Congregation of Rites, September 12, 1857 (Decr. auth., n. 3059 ad 9).

⁴⁸⁶ Cf., however, above, n. 224.

⁴⁸⁷ Sacred Congregation of Rites, June 11, 1904 (Decr. auth., n. 4136).

⁴⁸⁸ Cf. St. Alphonsus, loc. cit., n. 393.

⁴⁸⁹ Ibid., n. 390.

298. 2. The vesture of the priest saying Mass consists of the amice or humeral, alb, cincture, maniple, stole, and chasuble. All these vestments must be blessed by the bishop or by one having the faculty. Such a faculty is possessed, besides Cardinals and all bishops, by religious superiors, pastors, and rectors of churches, but these last three only for their own churches.⁴⁹⁰ Although the chasuble, stole, and maniple need not absolutely be made of silk, precious material is nevertheless required, and those vestments made entirely of cotton, linen, or wool are unlawful.⁴⁹¹ The cincture is more fittingly made of white linen, but neither another material nor another color is prohibited. Thus, for example, red silk cinctures are employed in some churches. It is considered a grave sin to celebrate Mass without any sacred vestment. The same applies to the lack of the chasuble or alb.⁴⁹² The remaining sacred vestments, however, do not seem to be of such necessity. Hence, in order to confect Viaticum, or if otherwise the people could not satisfy the Sunday precept, it would be lawful to say Mass without those vestments.

The color of the vestments must indeed be observed according to the diverse offices and feasts, but it does not bind under grave sin. Hence Sporer⁴⁹³ rightly says that it is better on any day to offer the Sacred Rite in any color than to omit it, and that every reasonable cause excuses, as if vestments of the due color would not suffice for a gathering of priests. Gold color cannot serve in place of the colors white, green, and red; but if cloth truly of gold⁴⁹⁴ was used, then vestments so made can, because of their preciousness, serve in place of the colors white, green, and red,⁴⁹⁵ but not in place of violet or black.

The General Rubric likewise prescribes that the priest, before putting on the sacred vestments, be in an ankle-length garment, according to the prescription of c. 811, § 1: "A priest who is to celebrate Mass is to wear a becoming garment which reaches to the ankles."^495a Hence, if in some regions a priest does not always wear an ankle-length garment, he must put it on in the sacristy. It is altogether unbecoming to put sacred vestments on over clothing of any color other than black, except in a case of necessity. It seems that a celebrating priest cannot wear a wig, commonly Perücke, unless he has the permission of the Holy See, which, however, Apostolic Nuncios also can grant.⁴⁹⁶

⁴⁹⁰ Code of Canon Law, c. 1304.

⁴⁹¹ Sacred Congregation of Rites, September 23, 1837; June 23, 1892 (Decr. auth., n. 2769, dub. 5; n. 3779, dub. 1).

⁴⁹² Cf. St. Alphonsus, Theol. mor. l. 6, n. 377.

⁴⁹³ Theol. mor. P. 2, c. 6, n. 414.

⁴⁹⁴ Goldbrokat.

⁴⁹⁵ Sacred Congregation of Rites, March 29, 1851; November 20, 1885 (Decr. auth., n. 2986 ad 5; n. 3646 ad 2).

^495a Cf. Sacred Congregation of the Council, July 28, 1931 (Acta Apostolicae Sedis XXIII, 336).

⁴⁹⁶ Facultates Nuntiorum, n. 35.

299. 3. The sacred vessels required for Mass are the chalice with the paten and the cruets of wine and water. Added to the sacred vessels are the corporal, pall, purificator, chalice veil, and burse for the corporal.

The paten and cup of the chalice must be of gold, or, if they are of silver, tin, or aluminum, they must be gilded within.⁴⁹⁷ Another material is not admitted according to the present discipline; the paten, however, can also be made of another solid material.⁴⁹⁸ Gilding is required under grave sin for the interior part of the cup of the chalice and the upper part of the paten.⁴⁹⁹ The Sacred Congregation of Rites on August 31, 1867, replied "Affirmative" to the question: "Can a ciborium of gilded copper, likewise a monstrance and lunula, be permitted?" Therefore the cup of the chalice must be of silver, tin, or aluminum; but another solid material is also permitted for other sacred vessels. The chalice and paten are execrated: 1. through loss of form, for example, if the foot is separated from the cup by breaking, but not if the foot is screw-threaded and can easily be separated from the cup; nor through new gilding.⁵⁰⁰ If, however, through long use the gilding has been worn away, the chalice indeed remains consecrated, but the gilding must be renewed. 2. If they have been employed for unbecoming uses or exposed for public sale.⁵⁰¹ Since no layman can touch a consecrated chalice, and since its consecration remains even if the gilding has been worn away, the permission of the bishop or regular prelate seems to be required for a consecrated chalice which is to be gilded anew to be handed over to an artisan; but the chalice must not first be execrated.⁵⁰² The use of a small spoon for pouring water into the wine is not prohibited,⁵⁰³ as was already stated above, but such a spoon is not blessed.

A corporal made of linen or hemp is to be placed beneath the chalice. He sins gravely who, outside a case of great necessity, celebrates without a corporal, and one that has been blessed.⁵⁰⁴

The purificator likewise must be of linen or hemp, but it is not to be blessed,⁵⁰⁵ nor is any blessing of it found in the Roman Ritual. Therefore the purificator can be supplied by a clean handkerchief, which, however, afterward is not again to be employed for profane uses.

The pall must be made of linen or hemp, at least on that part by which it touches the chalice. On the other side it can be covered with gold or silk ornaments, provided that the cloth is not black and does not bear any signs of death.⁵⁰⁶ The pall is to be blessed just like the corporal.

The cruets of water and wine are better made of glass; those made of gold, silver, or tin are nevertheless also permitted.⁵⁰⁷

⁴⁹⁷ Cf. St. Thomas, S. theol. 3, q. 83, a. 3 ad 6; Benedict XIV, Constitution Etsi pastoralis, May 26, 1742 (§ VI, 20); Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, January 16, 1797.

⁴⁹⁸ Cf. Génicot, Theol. mor. II, n. 247.

⁴⁹⁹ This seems to follow from c. 1305, § 2, where it is established: "The chalice and paten do not lose their consecration through the wearing away or renewal of the gilding, with the grave obligation, however, in the former case of gilding them again remaining intact."

⁵⁰⁰ Ibid.

⁵⁰¹ Code of Canon Law, c. 1305, § 1, n. 2.

⁵⁰² Sacred Congregation of Rites, April 20, 1822 (Decr. auth., n. 2620).

⁵⁰³ Sacred Congregation of Rites, February 6, 1858 (Decr. auth., n. 3064).

⁵⁰⁴ St. Alphonsus, Theol. mor. l. 6, n. 387.

⁵⁰⁵ Sacred Congregation of Rites, September 7, 1816 (Decr. auth., n. 2527 ad XII).

⁵⁰⁶ Sacred Congregation of Rites, July 17, 1894 (Decr. auth., n. 3832 ad 4).

⁵⁰⁷ Sacred Congregation of Rites, August 28, 1866 (Decr. auth., n. 3149).

300. The first washing of corporals, palls, and purificators which have been used in Mass must be performed by a cleric in major orders.⁵⁰⁸ The water of the first washing is to be poured into the sacrarium; if this is lacking, into the fire. Nuns require the special permission of the Sacred Congregation of Rites in order to be able to perform this first washing. Therefore the discipline in force regarding the first washing is stricter than regarding simple touching. For the chalice with the paten and, before washing, the purificators, palls, and corporals which have been used in the sacrifice of the Mass can be touched even by simple clerics or by those who have custody of them.⁵⁰⁹

The Sacred Congregation of Rites on March 14, 1900, established the following concerning a cleric ministering in place of a subdeacon at Mass:

1. "A cleric is never to be deputed to undertake the office of subdeacon at a solemn Mass unless there is a reasonable cause and he has been constituted in minor orders or at least initiated by sacred tonsure."

2. "A cleric serving in place of a subdeacon is to be vested in an alb over the amice, a cincture, and a tunic without a maniple, and he is duly to fulfill all the things which according to the rubrics pertain to the subdeacon, with these exceptions, however: a) he is not to pour water into the chalice before the offertory, which in this case the deacon will do; b) he is never to touch the chalice itself during the Action, that is, during the Canon, nor remove the pall from it or replace it upon it; c) after the ablution he is not to wipe the chalice, the celebrant himself wiping it, but is only to arrange it in the customary manner, cover it with the veil and burse, and carry it to the table."⁵¹⁰

⁵⁰⁸ Code of Canon Law, c. 1306, § 2.

⁵⁰⁹ Ibid., § 1.

⁵¹⁰ Analecta ecclesiastica XIV (1906), 166.

301. Scholion. How blessed or consecrated things lose their blessing. All things, whether vessels or vestments, which require consecration or blessing for the use of the altar lose it in three cases: 1. if they notably lose their original form, so that they become wholly unfit for the use intended; 2. if new material is added in a great or at least an essential part; 3. if they have been employed for unbecoming uses or exposed for public sale.^510a

How a chalice is execrated has already been stated above. A corporal loses its blessing if it is so torn that it can no longer be placed beneath the chalice and host. A cincture loses its blessing if it is broken into such parts that none of them is any longer fit for girding. An alb loses its blessing if new sleeves are added. Finally, a chasuble must be blessed again when the new part sewn on exceeds the part retained. The same seems to apply to the maniple and stole.

^510a Code of Canon Law, c. 1305.

389. On the requisites for celebrating. - A. An altar is a quadrangular stone destined and consecrated for sacrificing. "This indeed," says St. Thomas, a. 3, ad 5, "belongs to the signification of this sacrament, both because the altar signifies Christ: for it is said in I Cor. X, 4 [the printed text has X, 3]: But the rock was Christ; and also because the body of Christ was laid away in a stone sepulcher. It also belongs to the use of the sacrament: for stone is solid, and can easily be found everywhere, which was not necessary in the Old Law, where the altar was made in one place."

One altar is fixed, i.e., a stone mensa or table, consisting of one natural, whole, and non-friable stone, together with the supports, consecrated with the same by way of one thing (can. 1197, 1° and 1198, § 1): the stone table or mensa ought to extend to the whole altar, and to adhere suitably to the support (for example with lime or cement); but the support (i.e., the base) should be of stone, or at least the sides or little columns by which the mensa is sustained should be of stone (can. 1198, § 2), although it is not necessary that they be of one stone. It is required that in a consecrated church at least one altar, especially the principal one, be fixed.

Another is movable, namely a stone, for the most part small, which alone is consecrated; or a stone with a support which, however, was not consecrated together with the same (can. 1197, § 1, 2°): in this latter case the altar is called fixatium, which suffices for gaining indulgences; otherwise it is called a sacred stone, which then must be inserted in an altar made of wood or of another material, as the Missal has it. The stone should consist of one natural, whole, and non-friable stone, and should be so broad that it can hold at least the host and the greater part of the chalice (can. 1198, § 1 and 3).

In each altar, fixed or movable, there must be a sepulcher closed with a stone, containing relics (can. 1198, § 4), from parts of the body of several Saints, especially martyrs (S. C. R., Oct. 6, 1837); nevertheless for the validity of the consecration it suffices that the relics of one martyr be included (Feb. 16, 1906).

It is a grave precept to celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass upon a consecrated altar, as is clear from the constant practice of the Church, from the Missal, general rubrics, tit. 20; de def., tit. 10, and from can. 822, § 1 and 2, and indeed in such a way that it is never lawful to celebrate without an altar (S. C. P. F., Sept. 2, 1780), and the Holy See never grants an indult of celebrating outside an altar. Hence scarcely could a case be given in which it would be licit, except "perhaps in a case of threatened death, not however in contempt of religion," says Billuart, diss. VIII, a. 10.

Let it be noted: a) The altar must be consecrated according to the liturgical laws and the proper rite to which the celebrant belongs.

b) When an altar of his own rite is lacking, it is lawful for a priest, in his own rite, to celebrate on an altar consecrated in another Catholic rite; but not upon the antimensions of the Greeks (can. 823, § 2), which are not stone altars but certain cloths, consecrated with the rite and in place of altars, which the Greeks use even outside an altar.

c) On papal altars let no one celebrate without an apostolic indult (can. 823, § 3).

d) An altar, both immovable and movable, must be reserved only for divine offices, and especially for the celebration of Mass, every profane use being entirely excluded (can. 1202, § 1).

e) Beneath the altar no corpse is to be laid away; but corpses which perhaps have been buried near the altar should be distant from it by a space of at least one meter; otherwise it is not licit to celebrate Mass on the altar until the corpse is removed (can. 1202, § 2).

It is a grave sin to perform the sacred rite outside an altar, or upon an altar not consecrated, or execrated, i.e., one which has lost its consecration, or interdicted. According to can. 1200:

"§ 1. An immovable altar loses consecration if the table or mensa is separated from the support, even for a moment of time; in which case the Ordinary can permit that a priest again perform the consecration of the altar with a shorter rite and formula.

"§ 2. Both an immovable altar and a sacred stone lose consecration:

"1° If they are broken enormously, whether by reason of the quantity of the fracture, or by reason of the place of the anointing (as if the table has been divided into two or more notable parts, or if the broken-off part contains one of the lateral crosses specially anointed by the bishop in the consecration of the altar).

"2° If the relics are removed, or the cover of the sepulcher is broken or removed, except the case in which the bishop himself or his delegate removes the cover in order to fasten or repair it, or to replace it, or to visit the relics.

"§ 3. A slight fracture of the cover does not induce execration, and any priest can fasten a small crack with cement.

"§ 4. The execration of a church does not carry with it the execration of altars, whether immovable or movable; and conversely."

B. Ornament of the altar. - From the general rubrics of the Missal, tit. 20, the altar ought to be ornamented in this way:

1° It should be covered with three clean and blessed altar cloths or linens. They ought to be made of linen or fine hemp (S. C. R., May 15, 1819): the upper one ought to be long, hanging down on each side all the way to the ground (June 9, 1899); the other two can be shorter, or one doubled.

2° On the front face it should be adorned with a pallium or antependium, of a color, as far as possible, fitting the feast day or office; unless, however, the structure itself does not need an antependium, as if it is of marble, or adorned with metal or precious stone, or made in the manner of a tomb or urn.

3° With a cross placed upon it in the middle, with the image of the Crucified, and with at least two candlesticks with lighted candles, on this side and that on each side of it. The cross ought to be large enough that the celebrating priest and the people assisting at the sacrifice can easily and conveniently look upon the Crucified. But if on the altar there is a large image of the Crucified, painted or carved, another cross is not required; likewise, if celebration takes place at an altar where the most holy Sacrament is publicly exposed, the cross is not necessary, but each church is to preserve its own custom in this matter (S. C. R., Sept. 2, 1741): nevertheless the practice cannot be tolerated of placing the cross on the throne which serves for the public exposition of the most holy Sacrament (June 2, 1883 and June 11, 1904).

The candles ought, at least for the greater part, to be of wax (S. C. R., Dec. 14, 1909, Dec. 13, 1957). Cardinals and Bishops excepted, in a strictly private Mass it is not licit for other priests to have four candles lit, but by reason of some solemnity it is permitted to have even more (S. C. R., Sept. 12, 1857).

4° With the card of the secret prayers at the foot of the cross, and the missal upon a cushion or a small lectern at the epistle corner. Two other smaller cards are now customarily placed at each corner of the altar; these were introduced by use and for the sake of greater convenience, but are not prescribed.

The Missal adds: a) "On the epistle side let a candle be prepared to be lit at the elevation of the sacrament" until communion. But this usage has almost commonly ceased, and this custom can be observed (S. C. R., June 9, 1899); nevertheless among the Preachers the usage has remained.

b) "Upon the altar let absolutely nothing be placed which does not pertain to the sacrifice of the Mass or to the ornament of the altar itself." Nevertheless for ornament the sacred relics and images and flowers can be placed there, as is clear from condemned proposition 23 of the Synod of Pistoia; but from relics and images one must abstain in the time of Passiontide, and, excepting images of adoring angels, also during the public exposition of the most holy Sacrament; from flowers in the time of Advent and Lent, excepting feasts occurring (S. C. R., May 11, 1878).

It is a sin to transgress the aforesaid prescriptions without necessity or without an indult; but it is grave to celebrate, without grave necessity, without any altar cloth, or without any light, or without a missal; the last of these exposes one to the danger of erring, whence it would not be done licitly except in the case in which the missal was lacking and the priest from experience was truly certain that he would not err.

If light fails during Mass, if before the consecration it fails totally and another cannot be had, one must desist from the celebration; if only one candle is extinguished, or even both but after the consecration, one must not desist, but the sacrifice must be completed. If the candles are extinguished during celebration, they should be lit again, but without meanwhile interrupting the sacred rite.

C. Sacred vessels and accessories. - The sacred vessels required under grave obligation are the chalice with the paten, made of the due material, and indeed consecrated by a bishop or by one having the privilege; it would be gratuitously affirmed that this consecration is conferred by the mere use of the chalice in celebrating Mass. "Consecrations," says St. Thomas, a. 3, "are applied to those things which come into the use of this sacrament, both on account of reverence for the sacrament, and for representing the effect of sanctity which comes from the passion of Christ, according to that Hebr. XIII, 12: Jesus, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood..."

The chalice ought to be of gold or silver, at least as to the cup, as the Missal says, tit. 1, n. 1, - and in a state of poverty, it can be of pewter, or, as has more recently been conceded, of aluminum mixed with other metals (S. C. R., Dec. 6, 1866); the cup and the surface of the paten, if they are not golden, must under grave obligation be gilded inside (can. 1305, § 2). It cannot be of bronze, copper, brass, wood, horn, much less of glass on account of fragility. As St. Thomas reports, ibid., ad 6: "It has been established that 'the chalice of the Lord with the paten should be made either wholly of gold, or of silver, or at least be had of pewter. Let it not be made of bronze or brass, because by reason of the power of wine it produces verdigris and likewise provokes vomiting. But let no one presume to sing Mass in a wooden or glass chalice,'" namely, because wood is porous, and the consecrated Blood would remain in it; but glass is fragile, and danger of breaking could be imminent; and the same reason applies concerning stone. And therefore on account of reverence for the sacrament it has been established that the chalice be made from the aforesaid materials." - In certain regions a small spoon is joined to the chalice, by which water is put into the wine; its use is not prohibited (S. C. R., Feb. 6, 1858): it can be made of any material and is not to be blessed.

As accessories of the most holy vessels there are required:

1° The corporal, pall, and purificator: the first two ought to be blessed, but not the third; yet all three must be clean and made of linen or hemp. Nevertheless nothing prevents the corporal, or the pall in its upper part, from being ornamented with gold or silk, provided that the corporal is not ornamented in the middle; and that the linen pall attached beneath covers the chalice, and the upper cloth is not of black color nor bears any signs of death (S. C. R., June 17, 1894).

2° The veil and burse, each of the same material and color as the vestments of the celebrant; nevertheless they are not to be blessed separately.

3° The cruets with a little basin and clean hand-towel; the cruets should not be golden or silver, except for a bishop, but glass; nevertheless the custom can be tolerated of using golden and silver ones (S. C. R., April 28, 1866).

4° The little bell, the use of which serves so that to those standing by who cannot see and hear the celebrant, the more principal parts of the Mass and the chief actions concerning the sacred things may become known, and that attention and devotion may be impressed upon all. Two ringings are prescribed: at the Sanctus and at each Elevation; a third is often added immediately before the consecration to stir up more the attention of the faithful. In certain regions or churches it is also customary to ring at the signing of the chalice with the sacred host before the Pater noster, and at Domine non sum dignus before communion; this, where it is the custom, can be tolerated (S. C. R., May 14, 1856), but ought not to be observed.

It is a grave sin to celebrate without the due chalice with consecrated paten, or with an execrated chalice, or without a blessed corporal; the pall, purificator, and other accessories are required only under light obligation: in defect of a pall the chalice could be covered either with the corporal, if it is broad enough, as formerly was done, or with the burse or purificator.

From can. 1305 the chalice with the paten is execrated: a) if they have undergone such injuries or changes that they have lost their former form, and are no longer held suitable for their uses: thus a chalice is execrated when it is totally broken or is perforated in the bottom, or when the cup is torn away from the fixed foot; - but not if the cup is separated from the removable foot, because by a separation of this kind it does not lose form, since its parts can be joined without new workmanship; nor do the chalice and paten lose consecration by the consumption or repair of the gilding, saving, however, in the former case, the grave obligation of gilding them again;

b) if they have been applied to indecorous uses or exposed to public sale.

D. Six sacred vestments are enumerated in the Missal, de cel., tit. 1, which are of precept (can. 811): the amice, alb, cincture, maniple, stole, and chasuble or planeta. They must be blessed: the amice and alb ought to be of linen or hemp (S. C. R., Dec. 15, 1819); the cincture is more suitably linen, but it can be of cotton, wool, indeed even silk (Jan. 22, 1701 and Dec. 23, 1862); the maniple, stole, and chasuble ought to be of the same precious material, namely, of silk or half-silk or mixed silk, but not of cotton or linen cloth, or even of wool, nor of glass fabric (Sept. 23, 1837 and Sept. 11, 1847), and of the color fitting the office. They ought to be of one color, at least prevailing, so that they can be used for this alone; they cannot be of yellow color or golden color, but they are permitted of cloth of gold, which can be used for white, red, or even green, but not for violet or black (Dec. 5, 1868); likewise of silver cloth for vestments of white color (Nov. 20, 1885).

Vestments cannot be torn or ripped, but ought to be whole, clean, and beautiful, on account of reverence for the sacrament; nevertheless poverty or necessity can excuse from this if others cannot be had.

To celebrate without sacred vestments is very grave, and similarly without an alb or chasuble, so that it can never or scarcely ever be licit; - likewise it is grave to celebrate without a stole, which is the principal ornament of the priest, or with an alb, stole, or chasuble not blessed or execrated, or with vestments very torn or unclean, unless by reason of grave necessity; - the rest oblige only under light obligation, as also the color of the vestments, unless grave scandal is present.