Q: GIRM 178 describes what the Deacon does: “After this, he hands the Priest the paten with the bread to be consecrated, pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly, By the mystery of this water, etc. and after this presents the chalice to the Priest.” Why not have the Deacon place the bread and filled chalice on the altar, so the Priest may pick them up and place them on the corporal? There would be less chance of a mishap. It seems to me to about the importance of the “bread and wine are placed on the altar by the Priest” (GIRM 75).

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A: GIRM 178 describes Mass with a deacon, and GIRM 140–143 describes Mass without one, which aligns with GIRM 75. When a deacon is present, he hands the vessels to the priest.