Fistula (liturgical object) explained

The fistula (variously called calamo, cannula, arundo, calamus, pipa, pugillaris, sipho or sumptorium)^[1] is a metal drinking straw used in the Roman Rite to receive the Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

Use

Most notably, a golden fistula was used during a Papal Mass prior to the liturgical reforms proceeding the Second Vatican Council.^[2] It is seldom used nowadays, although the modern Mass of Paul VI still allows for the fistula to be used, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal no. 245: "The Blood of the Lord may be consumed either by drinking from the chalice directly, or by intinction, or by means of a tube or a spoon."^[3]

References

1. Eucharistic Utensils by Lucas Viar, published on the Liturgical Arts Journal: https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2020/04/eucharistic-utensils.html
2. Description and Images of the Solemn Papal Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior by Shawn Tribe, published on the New Liturgical Movement. Source: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2008/03/description-and-images-of-solemn-papal.html
3. The Roman Missal, 2011, ICEL.