Incensing

In some churches where incense is used, the offerings of bread and wine are now incensed, and after them the altar itself, the priest, the servers, the choir and lastly the people, so that all are solemnly set apart for the worship of God.

Lavabo

Immediately after the Offertory, the server pours water over the priest’s fingers.  This is called the Lavabo which is the Latin for the first words of a verse in Psalm 26 which the priest says at the same time, “I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to thine altar”.  The meaning of the Lavabo is that we must be pure in heart to approach God.

At the Offertory, therefore, with our offering of bread and wine we also offer ourselves to God, in our work and in our play, to belong entirely to him.  When the priest raises in offering, first the paten or silver plate with the wafer bread upon it, and then the chalice containing the wine, we can think of what St Augustine the Great said, “…there you are on the table (altar), there you are in the chalice…” (our emphasis). (5)