While fashion mavens may wish to take credit for the presence and prevalence of the purse, those in the liturgical-know will tell you that this functional, and often fashionable, invention was first seen on the liturgical runways of Avignon and Rome, rather than the fashion catwalks of Paris or Milan.

In other words, the purse (from the Latin "bursa" meaning hide) has its origins in the burse, a functional carry-all of a different kind.

The burse is the square receptacle which sits atop the chalice, holding the veil in place.

It is always square in shape (approximately 25cm on each side) and is comprised of two pieces of silk-covered Plexiglas, or some other stiff and durable substance.

Like their sound-alike counterparts, old-fashioned burses were closed on three sides, the fourth remaining open to provide the priest easy access to the corporal and spare purificators, which were and are the extent of their contents.

Modern burses, however, tend to be bound on one side only, allowing the priest to simply flip them open and retrieve the linens in a more reverent and simplified manner.

In addition, as with the purse, fashion is as important as function.

Burses, especially those at Trinity, are richly embroidered, and always match the liturgical colour of the season (no brown shoes with a black tuxedo here!)

Furthermore, to prevent a potential fashion faux pas, the veil matches as well.

Now those without a taste for "dressing up" have argued that the burse and veil are somewhat anachronistic, citing the fact that the original purpose of the burse and veil was to cover the chalice as it was processed into the church by the priest.   Fair enough.

However, what these liturgical naysayers tend to overlook is that the burse (and veil) serve not just as articles of fashion, or even function, but as articles of faith.

For, as with other liturgical paraphernalia, the burse and veil are features of our offering of thanksgiving in response to the countless gifts God has given us.

It is only appropriate, therefore, that the gift for which we long the most, communion with God and one another, be wrapped in the best we have to offer.