Altar Cloths

Altar cloths and altar linens for the church: altar frontals, communion table runners and covers, pulpit scarves and Bible markers, corporals, purificators, chalice palls, lavabo towels, baptismal napkins and altar linen gift sets. A brass altar cloth clamp holds the cloth in place.

Fabrics include 100% linen, cotton, poly-cotton blends and polyester jacquard, and some pieces are 100% polyester. Some come in liturgical colors such as red, purple, green and white.

The altar linens and what each is for

The altar cloth is the white cloth that covers the top of the altar, often with a frontal hanging in front in the color of the season. On it the corporal, a square of linen, is spread for the chalice and paten; the purificator wipes the rim of the chalice; the pall, a stiffened square, covers the chalice; and the lavabo towel dries the priest's hands after the washing of hands. See also purificators, chalice palls and lavabo towels.