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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SPONGE, LITURGICAL

In the Byzantine Rite the "purificator" used at Mass, to wipe the fingers of the celebrant, to convey the holy Bread from the diskos to the chalice, and similar liturgical functions. It is a triangular piece of sponge, covered with silk, and sumbolic of the sponge offered to the Savior on the Cross.