A communion paten — also called a chin paten or communion plate — is the small plate with a handle that an altar server holds beneath the chin of each communicant during the distribution of Holy Communion. Its whole purpose is to catch any fragment of the consecrated host that might otherwise fall: a quiet, practical expression of reverence for the Eucharist.
What Is a Communion Paten?
The communion paten is not the same vessel as the paten on the altar. The altar paten holds the priest's large host during the Eucharistic Prayer. The communion paten is a separate, smaller plate with a long handle — ours measures 31 cm (12.2 in) — carried by an altar server or instituted acolyte during the distribution of Communion. It is made of silver or gold-plated metal, and it is used only at Communion time.
Why Do Parishes Use a Communion Paten?
When the priest or minister places the host on a communicant's tongue or hand, tiny particles of the consecrated bread can break off. The Church has always asked that these fragments be treated with reverence — they are, after all, the Body of Christ. The communion paten makes that possible: held directly beneath the communicant's chin or hands, it catches anything that falls so that nothing is lost. Liturgical writers point out that the paten can and should still be used during the distribution of Holy Communion even when Communion is received in the hand — it is not a relic of the past, but a sign of eucharistic faith in the present.
A Short History: From "Impious" Novelty to Common Practice
The chin paten is a surprisingly modern vessel. When it was introduced in the United States in the early twentieth century, it was not universally welcomed — some Catholics considered it an unnecessary innovation, even an impious one, because they feared it suggested the Blessed Sacrament might be handled carelessly. Over time, however, the communion paten became a familiar sight at parish communions across the country, and today it is one of the simplest ways a parish can show care for every fragment of the host.
How Is the Communion Paten Held?
There is no elaborate technique — but a few points help altar servers hold it well:
- Hold the handle firmly with one hand (or both hands for younger servers), keeping the plate level.
- Place the plate under the communicant's chin (or under the hands, if Communion is received in the hand) — close enough to catch fragments, without touching the communicant.
- Follow the communicant's movement — step with them, keeping the plate in position until the host has been received.
- Keep the plate facing up at all times, and return to a straight posture between communicants.
Communion Paten vs. Altar Paten
| Altar paten | Communion paten (chin paten) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is used | On the altar, during the Eucharistic Prayer | In the communion line |
| What it holds | The priest's large host | Nothing — it catches falling fragments |
| Shape | Flat disc, 10–16 cm | Small plate with a long handle (31 cm) |
| Who holds it | The priest | An altar server or acolyte |
What to Look For When Buying One
A good communion paten has a wide plate, a firm handle, and a finish that is easy to keep clean — gold-plated brass is the standard, and the handle should be long enough that the server's hand stays clear of the communicant. All three of our communion patens are made this way; see them in the patens collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a communion paten?
A: A communion paten (chin paten) is a small plate with a handle that an altar server holds beneath the chin of each communicant during the distribution of Holy Communion, to catch any fragment of the consecrated host that might fall.
Q: Is a communion paten required at Mass?
A: The rubrics of the Mass presume a paten is used during the distribution of Holy Communion, and liturgists point out it should be used even when Communion is received in the hand — not only on the tongue. Whether your parish uses one is a local decision; the altar paten itself, by contrast, is always required for Mass.
Q: Who holds the communion paten?
A: Normally an altar server or instituted acolyte; in some parishes, an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion assists.
Q: What is the difference between a paten and a ciborium?
A: The paten holds the priest's large host (and the communion paten catches fragments); the ciborium is a deeper, lidded vessel that holds the hosts for the faithful and is kept in the tabernacle after Mass.
Q: How do I clean a communion paten?
A: Wipe the plate with a soft cloth after Mass. If a fragment of the host ever falls onto it, give it to the priest or deacon so that it can be purified as the Church directs.
Q: Can a communion paten be used for Communion of the sick?
A: Communion brought to the sick is usually carried in a pyx inside a burse; for the sick-call rite itself, a small paten for the sick is used. Both are part of our travel liturgy sets.
Where to Buy a Communion Paten
Our communion patens are made of gold-plated brass with a 31 cm handle: the Paten with Communicating Handle ($141), the classic Communion Paten ($213), and the Gold-Plated Communion Paten ($282). For the altar paten itself, see What Is a Paten Used For? and the full liturgical patens collection.
