To consecrate an inaminate object is to dedicate it in a ritual to a special purpose, usually religious. For example, a church building or an altar may be consecrated to the purpose of religious worship, or a chalice may be consecrated to the purpose of containing the eucharistic elements (bread or wine). In particular, a priest who effects the miraculous transubstantiation is said to be consecrating the bread and wine.
For example, a church building or an altar may be consecrated to the purpose of religious worship, or a chalice may be consecrated to the purpose of containing the eucharistic elements (bread or wine).
In the west, the consecration is understood to be the Words of Institution by which a priest is said to act "in the person of Christ" (in persona Christi) as "another Christ" (alter Christus).
Consecration, in general, is an act by which a thing is separated from a common and profane to a sacred use, or by which a person or thing is dedicated to the service and worship of God by prayers, rites, and ceremonies.
Hence the Roman Pontifical treats of the consecration of a bishop and of the blessing of an abbot, of the blessing of a corner-stone and the consecration of a church or altar.
The consecrator is vested in full pontificals of the colour of the Mass of the day; the assistant bishops, in amice, stole, and cope of the same colour, and a white linen or damask mitre; the bishop-elect in amice, alb, cincture, white stole crossed on the breast, and cope and biretta.
The consecrator then blesses the mitre and places it on the head of the bishop, referring to its mystical signification and a helmet of protection and salvation, that the wearer of it may seem terrible to the opponents of truth and be their sturdy adversary.
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