Catholic Church Paten | 16.5 cm (6.50 in) in diameter.

Paten

• Sacred vessel made of brass with gold plating.
• Smooth and polished surface, without reliefs or engravings.
• 16.5 cm (6.50 in) in diameter.
• Classic circular shape with slight central concavity.

What is a paten?

The paten is a sacred vessel in the form of a circular saucer where the host is placed during Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal establishes that liturgical paten deserves special honour among liturgical objects, since on it the bread is offered, consecrated and consumed during the Eucharistic celebration.

At what moments of the Mass is the paten used?

The Host plate takes part in three fundamental moments of the Eucharistic celebration.

During the offertory, the priest raises the liturgical paten with the bread while he pronounces the corresponding blessing.

In the consecration, it holds the host that will be transformed into the Body of Christ.

Finally, during the doxology, the celebrant raises simultaneously the communion paten and chalice proclaiming "Through him, and with him and in him".

Liturgical norms related to the paten

The GIRM n. 278 prescribes that the fragments of the Host that might adhere to the fingers of the celebrant must be wiped on the liturgical paten. This indication reflects the reverence due to the Sacred Species and justifies the smooth finish that facilitates the gathering of any particle.

According to GIRM n. 327, the communion chalice and paten deserve special honour among the sacred vessels intended for the celebration of Mass. The norm establishes that they must be made of worthy and durable materials.

For celebrations with a greater number of communicants, GIRM n. 331 recommends using a wide Host plate that allows the bread to be arranged both for the priest and for the faithful.