medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
As an experienced sacristan, I find the lack of a piscina in the chapel where I serve on Wednesdays unfortunate. The problem is not the priest's lavabo but the washing of the chalice & patten after the communion. The chapel is a new installation in the undercroft of the church, but no one even installed a sink - let alone a piscina.
Tom Izbicki
Thomas Izbicki
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>>> Anne Willis <[log in to unmask]> 3/13/2007 12:49 PM >>>
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>>
>> A portable altar? Temporary altars, and nave altars? There are plenty
>> of places in churches where we can be confident that there were altars,
>> but no trace of a piscina can now be found. I agree that some sort of
>> arrangement must have been made, but we cannot be certain what was
>> actually done.
>
> Surely a bowl and a jug/pitcher of water on a table beside the altar
> would answer the need.
It is the drain that is the main problem - and was obviously seen as
essential, as so much effort went into providing a permanent piscina.
John Briggs
Yes, but was the used water considered sacred in any way? Piscinas drain
into the ground. Surely the water from a bowl could be carefully poured
into the churchyard?
I suppose I am approaching this problem in an entirely practical/housewifely
way. A fixed washbasin with a drain is far more convenient than a bowl that
has to be carried away and emptied, but the latter is not to be despised if
needed.
If the nave altar in our church is where I think it would have been, no way
could there have been a piscina, unless the Priest was willing to walk to a
side chapel to wash his hands.
Anne
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