Why does a priest wash his hands before he consecrate the host I am not a catholic but am interested?

Question

it there any connection between the washing of the hands of the preist and the washing of the hands of Pontious Pilot

Answer 1

He's handling it and people are putting it in their mouths, I guess it's a matter of hygiene.

Answer 2

No.

Washing is done for purification, and out of respect for God.

All the old testament priests had to wash carefully before making sacrifices, and even the common people were expected to bathe before entering the Temple.

The same concept applies to the holy sacrifice of the Mass, both physically and spiritually. The physical act of washing symbolizes a much more important spiritual reality, but both are very practical.

Answer 3

It's a cleansing, plain and simple. The priest is about to consecrate bread and wine. in doing so, it will become the Body and Blood of Christ. It is entirely fitting to clean one's hands before touching that which is to be consecrated.

Also, there is a Spiritual component. As the priest is washing his hands, he says, "Clense me a priest of all my sins." The priest must be clean in body and spirit before consecrating the bread and wine.

Answer 4

It does not have to do with Pontius Pilate.

The event just before a priest washes his hands is the collection. In olden times, people would bring all kinds of things as a donation including live chickens, pigs, etc.

After receiving these gifts, the priest would wash his hands before continuing the service. This tradition still continues today.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

According to the Rabbinical laws, (Traditions of men) Jews had to wash their hands before eating. The "host" has to be touched by pure hands. But this is nonsense because the purity must be of heart. This ritual is a Judaization of christianity. It is illogical as anything catholic

Answer 6

This is done for 2 reasons. First it is to show reverence to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. We do not want to touch the Body of our Lord with unclean hands. Secondly it denotes cleansing from even the smallest sins, according to John 13:10: "He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet."

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 7

Pilate was trying to wash off the responsibility of ordering the cruxification of Jesus....with the priest, could just be a hygiene thing.

Answer 8

This is something that comes from the early church roots in the Jewish faith. Many things in the Catholic mass are changed very little from the time of the apostles. Many of our prayers sound just like Jewish prayers. There is also the use of incense and the unleavened bread for the Eucharist.

Answer 9

Two things:

1. don't you wash your hands before touching anything you are going to eat?

2. he is washing his hands before touching what will become Jesus. Must be clean - spiritually and physically - to be with the Lord.

Answer 10

As he washes his hands, he says, " Lord, wash away my iniquities and cleanse me from my sins."

It does not equate at all with Pilate's hand washing- Pilate was disclaiming any responsibility for Jesus' death- he wanted to let Jesus go free but lacked the spine to defy the crowd.

The priest washes his hands and acknowledges his sinfulness.

Answer 11

while the priest washes his palms he quietly prays; "Lord, wash me of my iniquities... cleanse me of my sins." The act symbolizes the waters of baptism and the cleansing of sins via water... Candles are lit at first of Mass as a decision to worship.