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| The negative of a photograph of the Shroud of Turin |
Then
cometh Simon Peter … and went into the sepulcher, and saw the linen cloths
lying, And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen
cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. (John 20: 6-7)
cometh Simon Peter … and went into the sepulcher, and saw the linen cloths
lying, And the napkin that had been about his head, not lying with the linen
cloths, but apart, wrapped up into one place. (John 20: 6-7)
The Shroud of Turin is
traditionally believed to be the pure linen burial cloth which was wrapped
around the Corpse of our Savior and which was found in the empty tomb on the
first Easter Sunday. The image of our Lord miraculously imprinted upon the
Shroud is a visible indication and (to some degree) “proof” of the
Resurrection.
traditionally believed to be the pure linen burial cloth which was wrapped
around the Corpse of our Savior and which was found in the empty tomb on the
first Easter Sunday. The image of our Lord miraculously imprinted upon the
Shroud is a visible indication and (to some degree) “proof” of the
Resurrection.
Thus, it is fitting that,
during the Easter season, the Christian faithful consider the Shroud,
meditating upon the joy and amazement of the first disciples who found the tomb
empty.
during the Easter season, the Christian faithful consider the Shroud,
meditating upon the joy and amazement of the first disciples who found the tomb
empty.
Many of the faithful may not
realize that the Church provides a tangible reminder of the Shroud at every
Mass through the use of the corporal.
What
is a corporal?
is a corporal?
The corporal is the white linen
cloth which is placed upon the altar in preparation for the celebration of the
sacrifice of the Mass. This white cloth is generally square-shaped and about seventeen
inches wide (though size does vary).
cloth which is placed upon the altar in preparation for the celebration of the
sacrifice of the Mass. This white cloth is generally square-shaped and about seventeen
inches wide (though size does vary).
The corporal is usually
unfolded upon the altar either by an altar server or by the deacon, during the
offertory (or preparation of the altar) after the intercessions. The cloth is
then carefully re-folded and taken from the altar after the distribution of
Holy Communion when all the remaining Hosts have been placed in the tabernacle.
unfolded upon the altar either by an altar server or by the deacon, during the
offertory (or preparation of the altar) after the intercessions. The cloth is
then carefully re-folded and taken from the altar after the distribution of
Holy Communion when all the remaining Hosts have been placed in the tabernacle.
Much more could be said about
the historical development of the use of the corporal (and also of the pall,
since the two were once only one large cloth), but such detail does not touch
upon our current topic.
the historical development of the use of the corporal (and also of the pall,
since the two were once only one large cloth), but such detail does not touch
upon our current topic.
A
corporal is used to wrap a dead body
corporal is used to wrap a dead body
When we ask why it is that this
linen cloth is called the “corporal”, we come to understand what the mystical
signification of the object is. The word “corporal” comes from the Latin word corpus (corporis) meaning “body”.
linen cloth is called the “corporal”, we come to understand what the mystical
signification of the object is. The word “corporal” comes from the Latin word corpus (corporis) meaning “body”.
Now, we should be able to
recognize the similarity between “corporal” and “corpse”. A corporal is the
cloth which is used to wrap a corpse. But why would we call the white cloth
used at Mass a “corporal”?
recognize the similarity between “corporal” and “corpse”. A corporal is the
cloth which is used to wrap a corpse. But why would we call the white cloth
used at Mass a “corporal”?
The corporal is so-called
because, in the ancient tradition of the Church, the Sacred Host (even after
consecration) was laid directly upon the cloth. Since the Mass is a sacrifice
and makes present the death of Christ, the white cloth upon which the Host
rested is called a “corporal” or “burial cloth”.
because, in the ancient tradition of the Church, the Sacred Host (even after
consecration) was laid directly upon the cloth. Since the Mass is a sacrifice
and makes present the death of Christ, the white cloth upon which the Host
rested is called a “corporal” or “burial cloth”.
[Likewise, the white cloth
which is placed over the chalice is called a “pall”, in reference to the
funeral pall which is placed over the casket.]
which is placed over the chalice is called a “pall”, in reference to the
funeral pall which is placed over the casket.]
The
corporal as a symbol of the Shroud
corporal as a symbol of the Shroud
Now, it should be obvious that
the corporal used at Mass is a symbol of the Shroud of Turin. It is the
mystical representation of the white linen burial cloths in which Jesus’ dead Body
was wrapped and which were left in the tomb after his Resurrection.
the corporal used at Mass is a symbol of the Shroud of Turin. It is the
mystical representation of the white linen burial cloths in which Jesus’ dead Body
was wrapped and which were left in the tomb after his Resurrection.
This is why the corporal ought
to be made of linen – because Christ was wrapped in linen. This is also why the
corporal should be white – because the Shroud was white. (cf. St. Thomas, Summa Theologica III, q.83, a.3, ad 7 [here])
to be made of linen – because Christ was wrapped in linen. This is also why the
corporal should be white – because the Shroud was white. (cf. St. Thomas, Summa Theologica III, q.83, a.3, ad 7 [here])
So, when you see the altar boys
preparing the altar and laying out the corporal, think of the Cross and Golgotha.
preparing the altar and laying out the corporal, think of the Cross and Golgotha.
As the Host, having been
elevated after the consecration, is laid upon the corporal, think of Joseph of
Arimathea and Nicodemus (together with the Mother of God, Mary Magdalene, and
the other women) preparing the Christ’s Body for burial. As the Sacred Chalice
is lowered to the altar, think of the tomb being readied and Christ being laid
therein.
elevated after the consecration, is laid upon the corporal, think of Joseph of
Arimathea and Nicodemus (together with the Mother of God, Mary Magdalene, and
the other women) preparing the Christ’s Body for burial. As the Sacred Chalice
is lowered to the altar, think of the tomb being readied and Christ being laid
therein.
And, later on in the Mass, when
you notice the servers folding up the corporal and taking it away from the
altar, think of the devout Magdalene as well as Peter and John, who first saw
the linen cloths lying in the empty tomb. Recall that Christ your Lord has
risen from the dead, and has left us the Holy Shroud as a visible testimony to
his Resurrection.
you notice the servers folding up the corporal and taking it away from the
altar, think of the devout Magdalene as well as Peter and John, who first saw
the linen cloths lying in the empty tomb. Recall that Christ your Lord has
risen from the dead, and has left us the Holy Shroud as a visible testimony to
his Resurrection.
Here is a little verse attributed to Hildebert (1194):
Ara
crucis, tumulique calix, lapidisque patena,
crucis, tumulique calix, lapidisque patena,
Sindonis
officium candida byssus habet.
officium candida byssus habet.
The altar is the Cross, the
chalice the tomb, and the paten the stone,
chalice the tomb, and the paten the stone,
The white linen cloth [i.e. the corporal] takes the place of
the shroud.
the shroud.
Reverence
for the particles of the Eucharist
for the particles of the Eucharist
And, finally, we must note that
there is a practical reason for the use of a corporal: It is there so that no
particle of the Sacred Host should accidentally fall and be lost.
there is a practical reason for the use of a corporal: It is there so that no
particle of the Sacred Host should accidentally fall and be lost.
This is why priests are very
careful in handling the Eucharist, and the faithful ought to be careful in
receiving our Lord in Holy Communion. Indeed, the current practice of reception
upon the hand is quite dangerous, since particles of the Host can easily adhere
to the palm or fall to the ground.
careful in handling the Eucharist, and the faithful ought to be careful in
receiving our Lord in Holy Communion. Indeed, the current practice of reception
upon the hand is quite dangerous, since particles of the Host can easily adhere
to the palm or fall to the ground.
The practice of some (perhaps
well-intentioned) priests by which they wipe their fingers upon the corporal after
touching the Host – presumably, to brush off any particles upon the corporal –
is detestable. Such particles would then remain ground into the corporal after the
celebration of the Mass, which is sacrilege. Most regrettably, this abuse is
even taught in at least one prominent American seminary and is quite wide-spread throughout the United States and Europe.
well-intentioned) priests by which they wipe their fingers upon the corporal after
touching the Host – presumably, to brush off any particles upon the corporal –
is detestable. Such particles would then remain ground into the corporal after the
celebration of the Mass, which is sacrilege. Most regrettably, this abuse is
even taught in at least one prominent American seminary and is quite wide-spread throughout the United States and Europe.
In any case, the practice is
directly contrary to the explicit rubrics of the General Instruction of the
Roman Missal (n. 278):
directly contrary to the explicit rubrics of the General Instruction of the
Roman Missal (n. 278):
“Whenever a fragment of the host adheres to his fingers,
especially after the fraction or the Communion of the faithful, the priest is
to wipe his fingers over the paten or, if necessary, wash them. Likewise, he
should also gather any fragments that may have fallen outside the paten.”
especially after the fraction or the Communion of the faithful, the priest is
to wipe his fingers over the paten or, if necessary, wash them. Likewise, he
should also gather any fragments that may have fallen outside the paten.”
