Friday 21 August 2020

Finishing touches (pt 2): after the consecration the new altar is a mess of water, ash, salt, wine, chrism, incense and melted wax! A cloth soaked in wax is put down first to protect the upper cloths from stains, then three linen cloths are used to dress the altar. Continuing the idea that the altar with its five crosses represents Christ’s body with five wounds, these remind us of the three linen cloths used to wrap Our Lord’s body in the tomb. The top cloth has been newly made by Ann Bailey to ensure a perfect fit. #oxfordoratory

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