Page:Low Mass Ceremonial (Burnett).djvu/18

 Prayer; after the Gloria in excelsis, or hymn, and before he goes to the Epistle-corner to say the Post-Communion prayer, or prayers; immediately before and immediately after, the Blessing; after uncovering the chalice and the paten, and before consuming what remains of the Sacrament; in the last Gospel if it be the Gospel for Christmas-Day, at the words, "The Word was made flesh"; in the last Gospel, if it be the Gospel for the Feast of this Epiphany, at the words, "worshipped him"; in the same Gospels in the mass on the same festivals (Christmas and Epiphany) at the same words; in the Epistle for Palm-Sunday, at the words, "every knee shall bow"; and in the Passion-tide Gospel, at the words, "gave up the ghost."

If the Blessed Sacrament be reserved in the tabernacle on the altar where the mass is celebrated, the priest should genuflect before the altar-steps when he first approaches the altar; before he says the words, "In the Name," etc.; and when he is about to leave the altar and return to the sacristy.

The chalice should never be held by the cup, except when the wine and water of the ablutions are poured over the priest's thumbs and forefingers.

As often as the chalice is to be covered or uncovered, the left hand should be placed on the base of the chalice, and the pall not dragged but lifted off, to guard against a possible overturning of the chalice.

Communicants (to whom the priest administers the chalice), whether clerks or lay folk, should never put their hands upon the cup, but they may take hold of the base or foot of the chalice so as to aid in bringing the cup to their lips.

When the priest signs himself with the sign of the cross, he places his left hand near and a little below his breast, and with his right hand (the palm turned towards himself, and the fingers united and outstretched) he touches, with the extremities of his index, middle, and ring fingers, his forehead, his breast, his left shoulder, and his right shoulder. When thus making the sign of the cross, the elbow of the Rh