Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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STRIPPING THE ALTAR
The liturgical action of stripping an altar and, if possible, removing all crosses from a church after the Mass on Holy Thursday. This is to symbolize the suspension of Mass until the Easter Vigil and the stripping of Christ's garments before the Crucifixion.