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 takes up the chalice (as at elevation), and holding it as high as and near his breast, he proceeds as before to the Epistle-end of the altar-rail and there begins to administer to the people. The rule about use of formula of administration, given above, applies here also. The priest should always retain a firm and controlling hold of the chalice. The people may guide the chalice by taking hold of the base, but ought not to touch the cup. Each communicant should hold head quite erect, drink a very little of the Precious Blood, and carefully refrain from wiping the lips after communicating. When all who are then kneeling at the rail have communicated, the priest returns to the altar, passes his lips over that part of the cup from which the people received the Precious Blood, and then sets down the chalice upon the corporal and covers it with the pall.

If, while the priest stands facing the people and in readiness to administer the sacrament, no one approaches to receive the same, the priest, after giving sufficient opportunity, turns by his right to the altar, and replaces the paten, or ciborium upon the corporal.

When all have communicated, or (if so be) when no one approaches to receive the sacrament, the priest, having replaced the vessel or vessels upon the corporal, covers the ciborium (if one has been used) with its cover, and places it on the corporal behind the chalice. If he has before him, on the corporal, in addition to the chalice, another vessel containing the Precious Blood, the priest places or leaves it duly covered, alongside the ciborium. Then he covers the chalice with the pall, and taking hold of the right-hand corner of the anterior portion of the corporal and lifting it up, he draws it carefully to his left, over the paten. Then over all, he spreads the silk veil.

Having covered the vessels, the priest genuflects, rises, stands erect, extends his hands before his breast, and says the Lord's Prayer. While reciting the following prayer, "Almighty and everliving God," etc., the priest bows his head towards the altar-cross as he says the holy name, and joins his hands as he concludes the prayer. After he has recited the Gloria in excelsis, or hymn in lieu thereof, the Rh