Q: I’ve noticed that some priests are leaving the corporal on the altar after Mass. Obviously, I think this is a no-no. But, recently one priest said to me, rather boldly, that if the corporal is left on the altar (unfolded), the Mass is illicit? Not invalid, but illicit. Have you ever heard that?

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A: Regarding liceity, please ask a canon lawyer. For liturgical law, it’s clear that the corporal is to be removed after communion and not returned to the altar until the preparation of the gifts. Here’s an article I wrote ten years ago: https://paulturner.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Amen-Corner-corporal.pdf