ASK FATHER: Waxed linen altar cloths
In honor of the appointment of Card. Sarah to the Congregation for Divine Worship, we tackle an important liturgical issue.
Traditionally our Roman altars should have three linen altar cloths. One of them should properly be infused with wax, to make it relatively waterproof. This is sometimes called a “cere cloth”. It is also known as a “chrismale” because it is placed on the altar during its consecration rite after the mensa has been anointed with chrism.
A reader wants to find one.
I was hoping you could inquire after your readers as to where one might procure a proper waxed linen cere cloth? My children’s school has an altar that is sorely in need of proper altar cloths. I would like to procure them for the school, but am unable to find a supplier of them. I was hoping you or your readers might be aware of one.
Maybe you can help.
If I recall correctly, someone involved with the Institute of Christ the King knows someone who makes these cloths. This thought stems from when I attended the consecration of Old St. Patrick’s in downtown Kansas City: when they clothed the altar for the first time, they used a “cere cloth” which looked like the real thing. I have a recollection of asking about it and hearing that someone made it.
I suppose that, in a pinch, one might cut to shape a table pad if it were thin enough. There are also a certain kind of sheet used in hospitals that is moisture proof.
The cere cloth has wax on only one side. The production of such a cloth involves dipping the linen in melted wax and then ironing it between two other sheets. I think that removes the top layer of wax.
So… have at!
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