Church Linens

Material—sacred linens, the mice and the alb must be made of linen (or hemp).

Altar cloths—must be three. The upper one is to cover the entire table and fall down to the floor at each end; the other two (or one clothe doubled) need cover only the entire table of the altar. This is to purify in the event the chalice is knocked over.

Corporal—square linen which rests the chalice and host.

Pall—square linen used to cover patan and chalice

Purificator—linen rectangle used to wipe chalice and priest’s fingers.

Communion cloth—plain linen which is usually the depth as well as the length of the altar rail.

Finger—towels are typically 20 x 16 inches, folded in four, lengthways.

Amice—square or oblong averaging 36 x 24 inches. Strings should be at least 3 feet long. A small cross should be embroidered in the middle of the top.

Alb—long linen garment with tight sleeves.

Girdle—or cincture in any material, silk being typical for prelates and linen for simple priests. It may white or the color of the day. It ought to be 12 and not more than 14 feet long. It should terminate in tassels.

Surplcie—is an abbreviated form of the alb.

Vestments—include

  1. Chasuble

  2. Dalmatic and Tunicle

  3. Stole

  4. Maniple

  5. Cope

  6. Humeral Veil

  7. Chalice Veil

  8. Burse