What Is a Liturgical Pall?
A liturgical pall is a stiff square cloth placed over the chalice during Mass to protect it from dust, insects, and other contaminants. It is one of the three essential chalice linens (along with the corporal and purificator) and is used at every celebration of Mass.
The pall is typically made of linen or cardboard covered with linen and sometimes embroidered. It is stiff enough to lay flat on top of the chalice and large enough to cover the opening completely. After the consecration, the pall is removed and set aside until after communion.
What Types of Palls Are Available?
Palls come in several options:
Linen palls — made of multiple layers of linen, sometimes with a stiffener between the layers. These are the most traditional and flexible option.
Cardboard palls — have a cardboard core covered with linen. These are stiffer and more affordable but may wear out faster.
Embroidered palls — feature decorative embroidery on the top surface. These are popular for Sunday Mass and solemnities.
How Do I Choose the Right Pall?
- Check the size. The pall should be large enough to cover your chalice completely. Standard size is about 6-7 inches square.
- Consider the stiffness. A pall needs to be stiff enough to lay flat but flexible enough to fold for storage.
- Think about the covering. The linen covering should be smooth and securely attached.
- Look for durability. Palls get handled frequently, so they need to hold up to regular use.
| Type | Size | Stiffness | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linen pall | 6x6 inches | Medium | $8–$20 |
| Cardboard pall | 6x6 inches | High | $5–$15 |
| Embroidered pall | 7x7 inches | Medium-High | $12–$35 |
Browse Our Pall Collection
Explore our selection of palls in linen, cardboard, and embroidered styles. Available in standard sizes. Protect your chalice with a quality pall. We also offer corporals, purificators, and complete chalice linen sets.
Chalice Pall: Meaning and Use at Mass
The chalice pall (Latin: palla) is the small stiffened square that rests on top of the chalice during the celebration of the Eucharist. Traditionally it is made of stiffened card covered with white linen and embroidered with a cross or another sacred symbol such as IHS, the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei), wheat and grapes. Its purpose is to keep dust and insects from falling into the Eucharistic elements.
The chalice pall belongs to the family of liturgical linens used at every Catholic Mass, together with the corporal, the purificator and the chalice veil. In the Traditional Latin Mass the priest carries the chalice to the altar with the purificator, paten and pall, all covered by the chalice veil and topped with a burse that holds the corporal. Complete chalice linen sets combine these pieces in one coordinated set.
A chalice pall is also called a chalice cover or communion pall. It is not the same item as a funeral pall — the large cloth that covers a casket at a Catholic funeral.
Chalice Pall Sizes, Materials and Inserts
Most chalice palls measure about 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inches); larger 7 x 7 inch (18 x 18 cm) palls fit wide chalices. A pall should cover the mouth of the chalice completely and lie flat on the rim, so that it does not slide when the chalice is carried.
Every pall is built around a stiff insert — traditionally stiffened card, today often a removable plastic or plexiglass insert — covered with fabric. Our palls use linen, cotton and velvet covers, decorated with embroidered crosses, Marian monograms (M), the Jerusalem Cross, the Holy Spirit and floral motifs. Velvet embroidered palls are the most decorative option for solemnities. Choose a single pall or a chalice pall set of 4 or 6 pieces for the sacristy.
What Is a Chalice Pall?
A chalice pall is a small stiffened square, usually a card covered with white linen, placed over the chalice at Mass. It is also called a liturgical pall or palla. It protects the Precious Blood from dust and insects and is usually embroidered with a cross. Standard chalice palls measure about 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inches).
What Is the Difference Between a Chalice Pall and a Purificator?
Both are chalice linens, but they serve different purposes. The purificator is a white linen cloth used to wipe the chalice after Communion and during the ablutions. The chalice pall is the stiffened square that covers the chalice during Mass. A complete chalice linen set includes both, together with the corporal.
What Is the Difference Between a Chalice Pall and a Funeral Pall?
A chalice pall is a small square (about 6–7 inches) that covers the chalice during Mass. A funeral pall is a large cloth that covers a casket during a Catholic funeral. They share the name "pall" but are different liturgical items with different sizes and uses. Our collection offers chalice palls for Mass in every liturgical color.
What Size Chalice Pall Do I Need?
Measure the outer rim of your chalice to choose the right pall for the chalice. A standard 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 inch) pall fits most chalices; for wider bowls choose a 7 x 7 inch (18 x 18 cm) pall. The pall should cover the opening completely and lie flat — it should not tilt or slide when the chalice is carried.
What Color Chalice Pall Should I Use?
Because the pall is made of linen, it is traditionally white. In practice, sacristies often choose a pall in the liturgical color of the day to match the vestments and the chalice veil. We offer chalice palls in white, ecru, red, green, violet, black, rose (pink), gold and blue.
Is a Chalice Pall the Same as a Chalice Cover?
Yes — "chalice pall", "chalice cover" and "communion pall" are used interchangeably for the stiffened square that covers the chalice. A full chalice cover set, however, also includes the chalice veil and the burse for the corporal.
