PALL

The Pall is a stiff piece of linen about five inches square, having a cross worked in its centre. It is employed for covering the mouth of the Chalice to prevent dust or flies from falling in, and when not in actual use it is kept with the Corporal shut up in the Burse.

For the first eleven or twelve centuries, the Corporal was so large that it served to cover the Chalice instead of the Pall now in use. To this end its hinder part was so arranged that immediately after the Offertory it could be drawn over the Host and chalice together. The Carthusians observe this discipline yet (Bona, 207).