A Praiseworthy Practice
You may have noticed at some weekday Masses, a colorful cloth being draped over the celebrant’s chalice. This is called the chalice veil and the burse on top. In discussions with the clergy and staff, we have decided to begin using them at all MGFP Masses beginning soon.
Why are we using the chalice veil and burse? The General Instruction of the Roman Missal n. 118 says, “It is a praiseworthy practice to cover the chalice with a veil, which may be either the color of the day or white.” In other words, the Church encourages the use of the chalice veil and burse, however, they are not required. We want to join in on this “praiseworthy practice!”
So, what are the chalice veil and burse? The chalice veil is a square cloth that is draped over the celebrant’s chalice before Mass. Practically, it protects the chalice. It is removed as the altar is being prepared at the offertory, then, it is replaced after the purification of the vessels. The burse is a square pocket that holds the corporal cloth. Corporal comes from Latin corpus, which means body. The corporal has this name as this is where the Body, corpus, of Christ rests. The corporal is folded in a specific way to ensure any particles of the Body of Christ do not end up left on the altar or floor. It is a further act of reverence to place the folded corporal in the burse. The burse rests on top of the chalice veil. It is either white or matches the liturgical color of the day.
Another advantage is that the chalice veil and burse assist us in seeing the beauty and otherworldly nature of the Mass. They call to mind the dignity of the sacred vessels that hold the bread and wine that will become Jesus in the Eucharist. The chalice veil calls to mind the veil in the Jerusalem Temple. The Temple Veil hid the mysterious presence of God— only the High Priest entered once a year. The lifting of the chalice veil recalls the lifting of the mystery, the tearing of the Temple Veil, and the coming presence of God among us. God is now present to all of us in the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist. The chalice veil and burse help us to unveil what is hidden from our senses— the heavenly reality of the Sacrifice of Christ.