Stripping of an Altar

On Holy Thursday the celebrant, having removed the ciborium from
the high altar, goes to the sacristy. He there lays aside the
white vestments and puts on a violet stole, and, accompanied by
the deacon, also vested in violet stole, and the subdeacon,
returns to the high altar. Whilst the antiphon "Diviserunt sibi"
and the psalm "Deus, Deus meus" are being recited, the celebrant
and his assistants ascend to the predella and strip the altar of
the altar-cloths, vases of flowers, antipendium, and other
ornaments, so that nothing remains but the cross and the
candlesticks with the candles extinguished. In the same manner all
the other altars in the church are denuded. If there be many
altars in the church, another priest, vested in surplice and
violet stole, may strip them whilst the celebrant is stripping the
high altar. The Christian altar represents Christ, and the
stripping of the altar reminds us how He was stripped of his
garments when He fell into the hands of the Jews and was exposed
naked to their insults. It is for this reason that the psalm
"Deus, Deus meus" is recited, wherein the Messias speaks of the
Roman soldiers dividing His garments among them. This ceremony
signifies the suspension of the Holy Sacrifice. It was formerly
the custom in some churches on this day to wash the altars with a
bunch of hyssop dipped in wine and water, to render them in some
manner worthy of the Lamb without stain who is immolated on them,
and to recall to the minds of the faithful with how great purity
they should assist at the Holy Sacrifice and receive Holy
Communion. St. Isidore of Seville (De Eccles. Off, I, xxviii) and
St. Eligius of Noyon (Homil. VIII, De Coena Domini) say that this
ceremony was intended as an homage offered to Our Lord, in return
for the humility wherewith He deigned to wash the feet of His
disciples.

A.J. SCHULTE Transcribed by Michael C. Tinkler

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From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright � 1913 by the
Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright � 1996 by
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