The Lavabo Towel: Names and Purpose
A lavabo towel is a small rectangular cloth, usually white, kept in the sacristy for the washing of the priest's hands at Mass. It is not the towel that dries the chalice or the priest's face: its single purpose is to dry the celebrant's fingers after the lavabo. The name comes from the Latin lavabo, "I will wash", the opening word of Psalm 26:6 in the Vulgate: Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas — "I will wash my hands among the innocent."
The same cloth appears under several names. Finger towel describes its size and use; manuterge is the older liturgical term (from Latin manus, hand, and tergere, to wipe); lavabo cloth and lavabo towel are the common English names. In parish inventories you may also see "hand towel", "lavabo hand towel", or the Polish ręczniczek. They all mean the small towel held by the server at the lavabo.
The Lavabo Rite at Mass
The lavabo takes place after the Offertory and before the Eucharistic Prayer. The server pours water from the ewer over the priest's fingers, and the priest prays quietly the verses of Psalm 26:6–12 (Psalm 27 in the Hebrew numbering): "I will wash my hands among the innocent, and I will encompass your altar, O Lord." The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no. 76) describes the washing as "a rite that is an expression of his desire for interior purification."
The server's part is simple but worth rehearsing. Standing at the priest's left, the server holds the basin steady and drapes the lavabo towel over the forearm, with the embroidered side facing out. The priest washes his fingers, takes the towel, dries them, and returns it. The server then takes the towel to the linen basket. A towel that has been used is not returned to the drawer for the next Mass.
Lavabo Towel Sizes
There is no single canonical size. The three sizes most often stocked by church-goods makers are 11 × 17 in (28 × 43 cm), 10 × 14 in (25 × 36 cm), and 20 × 20 in (51 × 51 cm). The smaller sizes are easier for a server to hold; the larger sizes give more drying surface and suit a large basin or a solemn celebration. Custom sizes are common, and a parish may order a set that matches its corporals and purificators.
| Size | Metric | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 11 × 17 in | 28 × 43 cm | Standard finger towel; the most common size |
| 10 × 14 in | 25 × 36 cm | Compact towel for small hands or travel sets |
| 20 × 20 in | 51 × 51 cm | Large towel with lace edge; solemn Mass |
| 20 × 16 in | 51 × 41 cm | Rectangular variant with a deep hem |
Measure the basin and the server's reach before ordering. A towel that is too large can trail in the basin; one that is too small leaves the priest's hands damp. If you are buying for a set, match the towel to the corporal and purificator in fiber and shade of white.
Linen, Cotton, and Poly-Cotton
The traditional fiber is 100% linen. It is absorbent, lint-free, strong when wet, and becomes softer with every washing. Its disadvantage is creasing: linen needs pressing to look crisp on the credence table. Cotton is softer and less expensive, absorbs well, and is easier to iron, but it can lint and may wear faster. Poly-cotton blends — commonly 65% polyester / 35% cotton or 52% linen / 48% cotton — are durable and easy-care, which is why many parishes use them for everyday towels and reserve pure linen for solemn occasions.
| Fiber | Strengths | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| 100% linen | Absorbent, lint-free, traditional, long-lasting | Wrinkles; needs ironing; higher price |
| 100% cotton | Soft, absorbent, affordable, easy to wash | Can lint; may wear faster |
| Poly-cotton | Durable, color-fast, minimal ironing | Less absorbent; less traditional feel |
| Linen-cotton blend | Balance of absorbency and easy care | Quality varies by maker |
Whatever the fiber, avoid fabric softener. It coats the fibers and reduces absorbency — the opposite of what a hand towel needs. Wash new towels before first use to remove sizing and lint.
Embroidered and Plain Designs
A lavabo towel may be plain, hemstitched, edged with lace, or embroidered. The embroidery is usually a small cross at the center or near one end: a Latin cross, a Jerusalem cross, a Greek cross, an IHS monogram, a fleur-de-lis, or the Alpha and Omega. White-on-white embroidery is discreet and matches any liturgical color; a red cross is a traditional accent; gold thread suits solemn sets but should be smooth so it does not scratch the priest's hands.
For parish use, choose flat, closely worked embroidery and a simple hem. Heavy lace and three-dimensional goldwork are beautiful but require careful laundering. If the towel is a gift for an ordination or a priest's anniversary, an embroidered set with a matching lavabo towel, purificator, and corporal is a practical and dignified choice.
Folding a Lavabo Towel
A folded lavabo towel should present cleanly to the priest and sit securely on the server's forearm. The usual method is:
- Lay the towel flat with the embroidered side down.
- Fold one long edge to the center, then the other long edge to the center, so the towel is a long strip.
- Fold the strip in half, or in thirds, so the embroidered motif faces outward.
- Drape the folded towel over the server's forearm, with the loose edges away from the basin.
The same principle applies to a purificator, though the purificator is folded into a narrower band and often has a distinguishing mark. For a step-by-step guide to the smaller linens, see our article on purificator vs corporal vs finger towel.
Washing and Ironing
Wash lavabo towels in cold or lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Do not bleach, and do not use fabric softener. Wash whites separately from colored vestments, and check the embroidery for loose threads before laundering. Tumble dry on low or line dry; remove the towel while it is still slightly damp and press it on the reverse side. Iron around, not directly over, metallic embroidery. Store towels flat or rolled in a dry sacristy drawer; hanging them for long periods can create a permanent crease.
Purificators and corporals that touch the Blessed Sacrament are normally rinsed in the sacrarium before ordinary washing, according to diocesan custom. A lavabo towel touches the priest's hands, not the Eucharist, so it is usually laundered with the other sacristy linens. When in doubt, follow the custom of your diocese and the instructions of the sacristan.
Lavabo Towel vs Purificator vs Corporal
The lavabo towel is often confused with the other white linens on the credence table. The differences are practical:
| Cloth | Purpose | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Lavabo towel / finger towel / manuterge | Dries the priest's hands at the lavabo | 11 × 17 in or 10 × 14 in |
| Purificator | Wipes the chalice after Communion | About 11 × 18 in, folded into a band |
| Corporal | Square cloth on which the chalice and paten rest | About 18 × 18 in or 20 × 20 in |
| Pall | Stiffened cover for the chalice | About 6 × 6 in or 7 × 7 in |
| Chalice veil | Covers the chalice before the Eucharistic Prayer | About 20 × 20 in or 24 × 24 in |
If you are assembling a set, our chalice linen sets combine the corporal, purificator, and pall; the purificators, corporals, and palls are also available separately.
How Many Lavabo Towels a Parish Needs
Most sacristies keep at least two towels per altar so that one can be in use while the other is laundered. A parish with several weekend Masses, multiple priests, or a school chapel may keep four to six. Packs of three or twelve are a practical way to build a rotation without running out before the weekly wash. Inspect the stock twice a year: retire towels that are thin, stained, or frayed at the hem, and keep a small reserve for funerals, ordinations, and retreats.
Choosing a Lavabo Towel
Choose the size first, then the fiber, then the finish. A server with small hands will manage a 10 × 14 in towel more easily; a large basin and a solemn celebration suit an 11 × 17 in or 20 × 20 in towel. For everyday use, a poly-cotton or cotton towel is practical; for a gift or a solemn set, pure linen with a hand-finished hem is the traditional choice. Match the embroidery to the altar linens and the liturgical color of the season, and buy one spare. If you need the ewer and basin as well, see our lavabo set.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lavabo Towels
What is a lavabo towel?
A lavabo towel is the small white cloth a priest uses to dry his hands at the lavabo, the ritual washing after the Offertory and before the Eucharistic Prayer. An altar server holds it during the washing and then takes it to the linen basket.
What is a lavabo towel called?
It is also called a finger towel, a lavabo cloth, or a manuterge. "Manuterge" is the older liturgical term; "finger towel" describes its size and function. In Polish inventories it is called a ręczniczek.
What is a manuterge?
Manuterge is the traditional name for the towel used by the priest at the lavabo. The word comes from Latin manus (hand) and tergere (to wipe). It is the same piece as a lavabo towel or finger towel.
What size is a lavabo towel?
Common sizes are 11 × 17 in (28 × 43 cm), 10 × 14 in (25 × 36 cm), and 20 × 20 in (51 × 51 cm). There is no single required size; choose one that suits the basin and the server's hands.
What is the difference between a lavabo towel and a finger towel?
There is no difference. "Lavabo towel" and "finger towel" are two names for the same cloth. "Lavabo" refers to the rite; "finger" refers to the part of the priest's hands that the towel dries.
What material is best for a lavabo towel?
Pure linen is the traditional choice because it is absorbent, lint-free, and durable. Cotton is softer and less expensive; poly-cotton is easy-care and hard-wearing. Avoid fabric softener, which reduces absorbency.
Should a lavabo towel be embroidered?
Embroidery is optional. A small cross, Jerusalem cross, IHS monogram, or Alpha and Omega is traditional. Choose flat, smooth embroidery for everyday use; heavy lace and metallic thread are better for solemn sets and gifts.
How do you fold a lavabo towel?
Lay it flat with the embroidery down, fold both long edges to the center, then fold the strip in half or in thirds with the motif facing out. Drape the folded towel over the server's forearm so the loose edges stay away from the basin.
How do you wash a lavabo towel?
Wash in cold or lukewarm water with mild detergent, without bleach or fabric softener. Dry on low heat or line dry, then press on the reverse side while slightly damp. Store flat or rolled in a dry sacristy.
How many lavabo towels does a parish need?
At least two per altar, so one can be laundered while the other is in use. Parishes with several Masses or priests often keep four to six, plus a small reserve for funerals and special celebrations.
Is a lavabo towel the same as a purificator?
No. A lavabo towel dries the priest's hands at the washing of hands; a purificator wipes the chalice after Communion. They are different shapes, different linens, and different parts of the Mass.
Related Reading
- What Is a Lavabo Towel? (Manuterge) — Sizes, Materials & Use at Mass
- Lavabo Towel Sizes: 11×17, 10×14, and 20×20 Inches Explained
- How to Fold a Lavabo Towel (Step by Step)
- Linen vs Cotton Lavabo Towels: Which Is Better?
- Purificator vs Corporal vs Finger Towel: Catholic Altar Linens Explained
- What Is an Altar Cloth? Names, Rules, and the 5 Sacred Linens
- What Is a Corporal? Meaning, Use, and How to Fold It
- What Is a Purificator? Definition, Use, and Meaning
- Catholic Liturgical Textiles Glossary
- Lavabo Set — Ewer & Basin for the Washing of Hands
Related: For the red chalice cover used at Pentecost, see our red chalice palls.
