BACILE

BACILE. —

I. IN LITURGY

A large dish, usually made of metal, used for the various ablutions in liturgical practice. Especially in the early centuries, when the faithful offered bread and wine for the sacrifice, vessels were needed to allow the celebrant to purify himself before beginning the sacred action. When the Church itself began to provide the offerings, ablutions decreased and were retained only for their symbolic value; thus the size of the vessels used for these ablutions diminished. Today, in addition to basins large enough to hold holy water or for washing hands in sacristies, there are others of varying sizes for liturgical uses. Bishops use a basin with a silver or metal ewer; other prelates also enjoy this privilege. Smaller basins serve to hold objects that are to be blessed in various functions, such as salt, ashes, rings, medals, etc., or to carry certain sacred vestments to the altar during pontifical Masses.