9/4/08

When I started serving many years ago, I was taught to carry the wine in my right hand and the water in my left.
On presenting them to the Celebrant the wine was offered by the right hand, the water then tranferred to the right hand, the wine received in the left and after offering the water transferred back to the right hand the water then being received in the left.
Can anyone shed any light has to why this was done please?

Peter Hooper

REPLIES

9/4/08 - Fr. Moore

Safety and an aid to the priest !

Fr. David Moore....Warden G.S.S. 

9/4/08 - Celia

I always assume it is because the right hand in ancient times was considered the 'good' hand(like the south side of the church, which is on your right as you face the altar, the north side being 'the devil's' in tradition). Can anyone confirm that?
Celia, Ipswich

10/4/08 - Robert Tucker

Yes I was taught the same method and have always understood the reasons to be something like this.
In many cultures it is considered rude to give anything with the left hand. There may be 2 reasons for this; in the East the left hand is used for some rather unpleasant purposes, or it may be that from the Western point of view if an item is handed over with the right hand that hand is occupied and can not wield a weapon. Whereas if the left hand is used the right hand could strike with a sword.
You will notice however that there is one occasion in our ceremonies when we do give with the left hand. That is when handing the thurible to a Priest. This is obviously a practical measure (unless the Priest is left handed)
I do not claim any special knowledge on this subject, but share my thoughts for what they are worth.
Yours,
Robert Tucker 
(SACRISTAN SAINT MARY MAGDALEN COVENTRY, Member of S.Chad's Chapter)

10/4/08 

TO MAKE A CROSS

10/4/08  - Peter Hooper

Fr David, thank you for your reply, but surely it doesn't matter which hand either is held in if it's for safety and an aid to the Priest?

Peter Hooper