Question: I have often wondered what is permitted and what is the best practice when it comes to setting out the vessels for Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) No. 139 indicates that no items are on the altar before the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist but are then brought there by an acolyte or other lay minister. However, later, in the section “Mass at Which Only One Minister Participates,” it indicates that the necessary vessels may be prepared on either the credence table or “the righthand side of the altar” (GIRM 255). Would it be permissible, and if so, advisable, to set up the chalice and “necessary vessels” on the altar when there are no servers at Mass, even if there may be people forming a congregation in the pews? Also, what might be understood by the term “necessary vessels”? Would this include not only the chalice, paten and cruets but also the finger bowl and towel as well, and even a communion plate for the people? I have seen priests do a variety of different things. Many people also think it looks beautiful for a nicely veiled chalice to be on the altar from the beginning of Mass. — J.D., Wagga Wagga, Australia
