During the July 17 catechesis and training of Ministers of Holy Communion at St. Brigid Church, one of the ministers asked, “Why are we told to not place the used purificator in the chalice when we are finished distributing Holy Communion?” The answer to this question is found in the purification of sacred vessels after distribution of Holy Communion. It occurred to me that many of you may be unaware or unfamiliar with the ancient ritual of purification.
The recently concluded National Eucharist Congress has renewed our awareness of the sacredness of Eucharistic action and the rituals that accompany it. For example, those who approach the ministers of Holy Communion during Mass are obligated to make a universal act of reverence to the real presence of the Lord in the bread and the wine. This act of reverence is a simple bow prior to receiving Holy Communion in the hand or in the mouth. The bow is repeated when approaching the chalice even when the person chooses to refrain from receiving from the chalice. The simple bow is similar to the genuflection or more profound bow when entering and exiting the church which is an act of reverence to the Lord who remains in the tabernacle.
Even when the paten is empty of hosts and the chalice appears to empty of wine, this does not mean the sacramental presence of Jesus is gone. In the purification ritual, the priest or the deacon pours an appropriate amount of water into each sacred vessel and then this mixture is poured into the main chalice. This action removes residual particles of the hosts or droplets of the wine. The priest or deacon consumes the liquid in the main chalice and then all sacred vessels are dried.
Most worshippers are unaware of the beautiful prayer that is required during the sacred ritual of purification: “What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time, may be our healing for eternity.” What looks like a ministerial task of pouring water and wiping vessels is much more. It is a beautiful reminder that Holy Communion is not a symbol, nor is it ordinary food; it is the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now and forever.
