I hope you’re well this summer. I have a liturgical question which I’d like to get your opinions.
In the picture, as you can see, the altar is completely covered. A priest told me that it should NOT be covered that way, but should only be partially covered. The reasoning is that if we cover it completely, it looks like a casket being covered with the pall.
Anyway, what’s the correct liturgical approach to this?
As always I’m excited to hear your expertise. Thanks and blessings.
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A: There are no rules governing the length of the altar cloth. However, the topmost cloth needs to be white. See GIRM 304 and 117. A larger cloth of another color may be used beneath the white cloth.
There are no rubrical concerns over the altar resembling a casket. But it should look like an altar.