The Altar Linens Ministry: Cleaning with Great Care and Reverence

Our Catholic faith teaches us that during the Consecration, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. There are several linens on the altar that are used during the Liturgy of the Eucharist — these include altar cloths, corporals, purificators, and lavabo towels. Because these linens may contain any particles or bits of His Body and Blood, cleaning them requires care and a certain process. Volunteers within the Altar Linens Ministry see that the altar linens that touch and clean the Precious Body and Blood are cleaned and cared for properly.

“We must soak the linens first and then we dispose of the water that now contains the Body and Blood directly into the ground,” says Carol Cleary, Co-Chair.

The linens are then laundered as one would typically wash towels or tablecloths. Once clean and dry, they are ironed, folded, and pressed.

Due to the pandemic, the Precious Blood has not been distributed, so the number of purificators — the cloths used to wipe the rim of the chalice — is greatly decreased. Each volunteer is assigned one month out of the year to clean the altar linens. They pick up the altar linens that need laundering weekly and bring them back to the church once they are finished.

Co-Chair Marilyn Kidder says helping with this ministry is a small but important task.

“I don’t think many people know that this job needs to be done,” Marilyn says. “It isn’t a difficult task and it is a small time commitment, but it is one worth doing.” “What drew me into this ministry many years ago was that it was something I could do on my own time,” Carol adds. “There was no requirement to be somewhere or do something at any particular time. I pick up the linens when I am able to and return them when it is convenient for me. And I am still serving the parish in an important way.”

While not officially a part of the Altar Linens Ministry, a similar task within the parish is laundering the altar server’s albs.

“In the past, I have assisted with laundering and ironing the robes before Christmas and Easter,” Carol says. “It is another important job that needs to be done that parishioners don’t often think of.”

Presently, there is a great need for assistance with this necessary duty for the parish. For more information or tovolunteer to help with this task, please contact Cathy Mahr in the parish office at 913-432-4616.