burnt, a verse I
read long since in the 'Monastic Distinctions' of the anonymous English
writer of the thirteenth century, which sums up their signification more
neatly than I can:

'_vas notatur,
Mens pia; thure preces; igne supernus amor._'

The vase is the spirit of piety; the incense, prayer; the fire, divine
love.

"As to water, wine, ashes, and salt, they are used in compounding a
precious ointment used by the bishop when consecrating a church. They
are mingled to sign the altar with the cross, and to sprinkle the
aisles: the water and wine symbolize the two natures united in Our Lord;
the salt is divine wisdom; the ashes are in memory of His Passion.

"Balsam, as you know, is emblematical of virtue and good repute, and is
combined with oil, signifying peace and wisdom, to compose the
sacramental ointment.

"Think, too," the priest went on, "of the pyx, in which the
transubstantiated elements are preserved, the consecrated oblations, and
note that in the Middle Ages these little cases were formed in the
figure of a dove and contained the Host in the very image of the
Paraclete and the Virgin; this was well done, but here is something
better. The jewellers of the time carved ivory and gave these little
shrines the form of a tower. Is not the sentiment exquisite of our Lord
dwelling in the heart of the Virgin, the Ivory Tower of the Canticles?
Is not ivory indeed the most admirable material to serve as a sanctum
for the most pure white flesh of the Sacrament?"

"It is certainly mystical, and far more appropriate than the vessels of
every form, the _ciboria_ of silver-gilt, of aluminum, of silver of
these days."

"And need I remind you that the liturgy assigns a meaning to each
vestment, each ornament of the Church, according to its use and form?

"Thus, for instance, the surplice and alb signify innocence; the cord
that serves as a girdle is an emblem of chastity and modesty; the amice,
of purity of heart and body--the helmet of salvation mentioned by Saint
Paul. The maniple, of good works, vigilance, and the tears and sweat
poured out by the priest to win and save souls; the stole, of obedience,
the clothing on of immortality given to us in baptism; the dalmatic, of
justice, of which we must give proof in our ministrations; the chasuble,
of the unity of the faith, and also of the yoke of Christ.

"But the rain has not ceased, and I must nevertheless be gone, for I
have a penitent waiting for me,