Four small cloths are used at every Mass, and each has a name, a size and a job. Buying the wrong one is easy because they look alike folded in a drawer. This guide sets out what each linen does, how many a parish needs, and how to keep them white.
The four Mass linens
| Linen | What it does | Usual size | How many to keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purificator | Wipes the chalice rim and the priest's fingers after Communion | 12 x 18 in, folded in thirds | One per chalice per Mass; a dozen or more |
| Corporal | Square cloth spread on the altar under the chalice and paten; catches fragments | 18 to 21 in square, folded in nine | Four to six; changed weekly or when soiled |
| Chalice pall | Stiff square laid over the chalice to keep dust and insects out | 6 to 7 in square | Two or three per chalice |
| Lavabo towel | Dries the priest's hands at the washing before the Eucharistic Prayer | 11 x 17 in | One per Mass; six or more |
Most are marked with a small embroidered cross so the sacristan can fold them correctly and tell a purificator from a lavabo towel at a glance. The cross on a corporal sits at the front centre, facing the priest.
Linen, cotton or a blend
Pure linen is the traditional fabric. It absorbs well, folds crisply and lasts for years, but it must be ironed damp and wrinkles the moment it is handled. Cotton and linen-cotton blends are cheaper, easier to iron and hold their shape; many parishes use them for everyday Mass and keep linen for feasts.
Polyester blends are sold as wash-and-wear. They resist wrinkles but absorb less, which matters for a purificator, and they can scorch under a hot iron. For a pall, the stiffness comes from a cardboard or plastic insert inside a linen or cotton cover, so the cover fabric is a matter of appearance and washing.
Altar cloths and table covers
The altar cloth, or fair linen, is the long white cloth that covers the top of the altar and hangs at the ends. It is cut to the altar, so measure length, width and the drop you want before ordering, and allow for shrinkage in linen. A frontal, or antependium, is the decorative panel that hangs down the front in the colour of the season.
Protestant communion tables use a white cover that drapes over the elements, often embroidered with "In Remembrance of Me" or "This Do in Remembrance of Me". These are sold in two-piece sets with a table runner. Credence cloths, for the side table that holds the cruets, are plain and sized to the table.
Laundering and purifying
Purificators and corporals that have touched the consecrated elements are first rinsed by hand in a basin, and the water is poured into the sacrarium or onto the ground, not down a drain. Only after that rinse do they go into ordinary washing. Many parishes keep a separate basin and a card with the steps in the sacristy for the people who do the washing.
- Wash white linens in hot water with a mild detergent; avoid chlorine bleach on linen, which yellows and weakens it. Oxygen bleach is safe for stains.
- Treat wine stains while fresh with cold water and salt or an oxygen soak. Lipstick on purificators comes out with a little dish soap worked in before washing.
- Iron linen while still damp, on the cotton setting, and fold purificators in thirds and corporals in nine while they are warm. The creases set and the cloth stays flat on the altar.
- Starch corporals lightly so they lie flat and catch fragments without curling.
Sets and spares
A mass linen set bundles a purificator, corporal, pall and lavabo towel in matching fabric and embroidery, which is the simplest way to equip a new chapel or a travel kit. For a parish sacristy, buying by the dozen is more useful: purificators run out first, followed by lavabo towels. Keep at least two full changes so one set can be in the wash while the other is in use, and a third for feasts.
Watch the embroidery when buying sets from different makers. A red cross on everyday linens and gold or white on festal linens is a common way to keep them separate in the drawer.
Questions
What is the difference between a purificator and a lavabo towel?
A purificator is used at the chalice to wipe the rim and the priest's lips and fingers after Communion. A lavabo towel dries the priest's hands at the washing before the Eucharistic Prayer. They are similar sizes, so the embroidered cross and the fold tell them apart.
How often is a corporal changed?
Weekly in most parishes, and at once if wine is spilled or it is visibly soiled. Because it catches fragments of the host, it is folded inward and rinsed before washing.
Can altar linens go in a regular washing machine?
Yes, after the first hand rinse for linens that touched the consecrated elements. Use a gentle cycle, mild detergent and no chlorine bleach, then iron damp.
Is 100% linen worth it over cotton?
For purificators, linen's absorbency and crisp fold are noticeable and it lasts years. For everyday corporals and lavabo towels, a cotton or linen blend performs well and is easier to care for.