Why do priests use a cloth in holding the Blessed Sacrament during Benediction?
MAGTANONG KAY FATHER: On the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
“May tanong po ako, bakit pag itinataas ng pari ‘yung Blessed Sacrament, may tela pong nilalagay sa kanya tapos ginagamit niya ‘yun ‘pag hahawakan niya, bawal po ba niyang hawakan ‘yun ng kamay lang niya?
(I’d like to ask why is it that during Benediction, the priest uses a cloth to hold of the Blessed Sacrament. Can he not hold it with his bare hands?)
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First of all, let us learn some vocabulary words:
Incense Boat – is the vessel used to hold the incense.
Thurifer - is a server who takes care of the Thurible and incense during Liturgies.
When the priest or deacon blesses the people with the monstrance, he covers his hands with the ends of thehumeral veil so that his hands do not touch the monstrance:
1. to show the sacredness of the consecrated host Who is Jesus Himself and
2. to indicate that it is Jesus present in the Eucharistic species who blesses the people and not the minister.
THE INCENSE
The thurifer, then incenses the consecrated host during benediction. The purpose of incensing and the symbolic value of the smoke is that of purification and sanctification. It adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass which links heaven with earth, and allow us to enter into the presence of God.
The humeral veil should not be confused with the vimpa, which is of a similar but narrower design. It is sometimes used when a bishop celebrates the Mass. The altar servers use it in holding the miter and the crosier (staff) to symbolize that the episcopal authority as Chief Shepherd of the flock does not belong to them.
FLC
Sources:
Instruction on Eucharistic Worship, Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1967
The Catholic Encyclopaedia.
Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem , Pope Paul VI, June 18, 1967, no. 29.
Code of Canon Law, 1983, canon 1169.
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