Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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CALAMUS

A pipe or reed used for the communion of the clergy and people. At a solemn papal Mass the Pope takes the consecrated wine, brought from the altar to his throne, through such a golden pipe. Of ancient origin, this custom was continued by the Cistercians until the Reformation. (Etym. Latin calamus, reed; stalk; Greek kalamos.)