Linen Name |
Info |
Suggested Design Type & Placement |
Sample Design |
Altar Cloth, Fair Linen Cloth or Altar Fair Linen Cloth |
- The most used cloth for covering the top of the alter.
- Represents the burial shroud of Jesus.
- The white surface symbolizes the purity of the sacrifice.
- Sized to fit the width of the altar with recommended 18" drops at the ends or halfway to the floor.
|
- In the corners: One 2" - 2½" cross in each corner.
- Exact center: One 3" - 4" cross or sacred monogram.
- The five crosses represent the wounds of Christ.
- The single cross in the center also reminds us of Christ as the object of the sacrifice.
- White embroidery is often preferred, but other colors embroidered singularly or in combination with white or white tones, are also frequently used with stunning results.
|
|
Credence Cloth, Communion Table Cloth |
- Pure white cloth that holds the sacramental elements before and after communion.
- Linen type/style/color matches the altar cloth.
- Sized to fit the width of the table.
- Recommended end drops of at least 6", preferably 8".
|
- A single 2" - 2½" design placed in the center or front center.
- A cross is often used, but other motifs are perfectly acceptable.
- White embroidery is often preferred, but other colors embroidered singularly or in combination with white or white tones, are also frequently used with stunning results.
|
|
Communion Pall |
- Usually 6" to 7" square.
- May be colored in accordance with the liturgical season.
- Mounted on rigid plastic, glass, Plexiglas or cardboard for ease of cleaning.
- Placed on top of the paten on the chalice when preparing the altar for communion.
- Covered by the Chalice Veil.
|
- A 3" - 5" design is often embroidered on the top center.
- A cross is traditional, but other motifs are perfectly acceptable.
- Tone-on-tone or complementary thread colors may be used.
|
|
Chalice Veil |
- Normally a square cloth large enough to cover the chalice while drooping to its base.
- Used to dress the chalice prior to communion.
- Also covers the sacramental elements during post communion.
- May be colored in accordance with the liturgical season.
|
- A 2" to 3" design is traditionally embroidered in the center or center front edge.
- A cross is traditional, but other motifs are perfectly acceptable and widely employed.
- Tone-on-tone or complementary thread colors may be used.
|
|
Corporal |
- Normally a 12" to 18" square cloth.
- Laid on top of the altar cloth at communion with the chalice placed in its center.
- Functions as a place setting for the communion elements and to catch any pieces of the Consecrated Host that might fall from the paten.
|
- A 2" to 3" design is embroidered in the center of the cloth or, more often, on the center front third of the cloth.
- A cross is traditional, but other motifs are perfectly acceptable and widely employed.
- Tone-on-tone or complementary thread colors may be used.
|
|
Purificator |
- White linen often 8" to 12" square, or three times the width of the chalice.
- Size and shape may vary from parish to parish.
- Used to clean the communion cup and paten after communion.
|
- A small cross (1") is traditionally embroidered in the center or on one of the corners of the cloth.
- White embroidery is traditional, but tone-on-tone or complementary thread colors may be used.
|
|
Lavabo Towel |
- Basically a finger towel, usually about 12" by 8".
- Used when the celebrant needs to dry his hands after the ablutions.
|
- A small cross (1½") is traditionally embroidered at the center of one short edge.
- Tone-on-tone or complementary thread colors may be used.
|
|
Baptismal Towel |
- Varies from finger towel to bath towel size.
|
- A shell, the symbol of water in baptism, is often embroidered at the center of one short edge but many motifs, fonts and placements are used for personalization.
- Tone-on-tone or complementary thread colors may be used.
|
|