Q: When clearing up after Mass, some sacristans pile up the ciborium and purificators on top of the chalice. Can you speak to reverence for the sacred vessels.

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A: I agree with you that these vessels should be treated with great reverence—even when they have been cleaned.

GIRM 183 and 192 say that the minister who purifies the vessels “arranges them as usual,” without saying what that means. In the past, it was “usual” for a priest to use a single chalice and small paten at every Mass. Between Masses these would usually be arranged with chalice on the bottom, then purificator, on top, and the paten on top of the purificator. Often he placed the pall on top of the paten, a chalice veil over the pall, and the tabernacle key on top. The GIRM never mentions this arrangement, but it may tolerate it as the usual way when these particular vessels are in use.

Regardless, your point is important. These are sacred vessels that should not be carried around carelessly. We use several chalices and patens for the communion of the faithful. I ask our servers and sacristans to carry no more than two vessels at a time or to use a tray to carry more.

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