Various altar equipment made of linen cloth is usually used in Catholic, Anglican, and other Christian liturgical ceremonies or services. These sheets of linen in the form of napkins or tablecloths must be folded according to standard guidelines before storing.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Folding Cleaning Napkins (Purificatorium) and Cup Covers After Communion (Palla)
Step 1. Pay attention to the size of this napkin
When compared with other napkins, cleaning napkins have the smallest size, and the largest is the chalice cover napkin after Communion. These two napkins can be square or rectangular, and in the center is an embroidery in the shape of a cross.
- Linen napkins for cleaning were used to dry the chalices that would be used when distributing Holy Communion.
- This napkin is used to cover the chalice after Holy Communion has been distributed.
Step 2. Lay this napkin with the smooth side down
Lay it out on the table with the cross upright but the cross embroidery on the bottom.
Smooth the napkin with your hands if there are wrinkles
Step 3. Fold the right edge of the napkin to the left
One third of the napkin on the right side should be folded over the middle third, so only one third of the napkin on the left side is still open
Step 4. Cover the left side of the napkin to the right
- The napkin on the left side should be just above the first bend you did earlier. The bend formed by this second fold should meet the right edge of the napkin.
- Before proceeding, lightly press the folded edges of the napkin with your fingers.
Step 5. Fold the bottom of the napkin up
Fold the bottom third to cover the middle third of the napkin.
Step 6. Lower the top of the napkin
Fold the top third of the napkin to cover the crease you just made.
If done correctly, the cleaning napkin and/or chalice cover after Communion will fold into nine equal squares
Step 7. Press the folded edge of the napkin
Use your fingers to press down all of the folded edges of the napkin to form a neat bend.
- Turn the napkin over so that the embroidery of the cross is on top.
- Press the napkin bend again using an iron for long term storage.
- The Purificatorium and Palla napkins are finished folded and ready to be stored.
Method 2 of 4: Folding the Corporal Linen
Step 1. Prepare a corporal linen tablecloth
This tablecloth is made of linen in the shape of a square slightly smaller than the napkin for the chalice after Communion (Palla.) The sheet is decorated with embroidered crosses along the underside of the center.
Spread a corral linen tablecloth on the table. If it is being used on the altar, the edge of the tablecloth furthest away will be right at the edge of the altar but not hanging down
Step 2. Lay down the corporal tablecloth with the smooth side up
Spread it out on the table, then smooth it out with your hands if there are any wrinkles. The position of the cross must be upright.
- Unlike other small altar linen sheets, the corporal tablecloth must be folded with the rough edges on the outside. This is done with the aim that the crumbs of the host when the Eucharist is distributed can be held by this cloth so that it does not fall to the floor. The crumbs of the host will later be placed in a piscina or tub where the Communion utensils are washed.
- Pastors and deacons will find it easier to spread this tablecloth on the altar if it is folded upside down.
Step 3. Bend the lower third of the tablecloth up
This folded bottom should cover the center horizontally. Another third of the above is still open
Step 4. Bend the top third of the tablecloth
Lower the top to cover the bottom and center of the folded tablecloth.
Take time to gently press this bend with your fingers. As a result, this tablecloth will look neater and ready to be folded further
Step 5. Lift the right edge of the folded tablecloth inward, then bend the right third of the tablecloth to the left
The right third of the tablecloth should cover the center
Step 6. Lift the left edge of the tablecloth and bend the left third to cover the folded right and center
If done correctly, the corporal tablecloth will fold into nine equal squares. The embroidery of the cross must be hidden in the folds
Step 7. Press the bends of the tablecloth while pulling your fingers along the edges of the fabric so that the folds are neater before storing
- You can press these creases with an iron for long term storage.
- Finished.
Method 3 of 4: Folding Lavabo and Baptismal Towels
Step 1. Pay attention to the size of this towel
Lavabo and baptismal towels are almost always rectangular in shape and measure approximately 15 cm x 23 cm. There is usually a cross or seashell embroidered in the center of the bottom towel.
- The priest will use this lavabo towel to dry hands after washing hands before the Eucharistic Sacrament Consecration ceremony.
- A baptismal towel is used to dry a person (infant, child, or adult) who has just been baptized with holy water.
Step 2. Lay the towel with the smooth side down
Spread a towel with a cross or seashell embroidered on the bottom.
- Smooth the towel with your hands if there are any wrinkles or sticking pieces together.
- Place the towel so that the longer side is vertical and the shorter side is horizontal.
Step 3. Bend the right third to the left
The right third should cover the middle. The remaining third on the left that is still open will be as large as the section that was just folded
Step 4. Also fold the left third inward
This last fold should cover the right and center of the previously folded towel
Step 5. Fold in half
Bend the towel in the middle so that the top meets the bottom.
When finished folding, this towel should be folded into six equal-sized rectangles
Step 6. Press the bend of the towel with your fingers
Turn it over so that the cross or seashell embroidery is on top.
Finished
Method 4 of 4: Medium, Large Sheets of Linen and Tablecloth Next to the Altar
Step 1. Lay out the sheet of linen to be folded
Lay the cloth in front of you with the smooth side up.
- Smooth the fabric with your hands if there are any wrinkles. If there are still wrinkles when the fabric is folded, there will be a lot of bending that shouldn't be there.
- Large sheets of linen should be rolled up, not folded, and rolled the fabric inside out.
Step 2. Roll it up using a cardboard roller
Place an appropriate size roll of cardboard on the edge of the fabric and roll it up to finish.
- You'll want to pull the fabric tight enough when it's rolled up so that it doesn't wrinkle.
- Keep the fabric straight and the sides the same length as it rolls for a neat finish.
Step 3. Wrap this roll of fabric
Wrap the cloth that has been rolled up with a tissue for protection.
- It's a good idea to label each roll such as "medium linen," "side tablecloth," or another appropriate name to make it easier to find the next time you use it.
- Finished. Now you can save these linen sheets.
