Are Glass Chalices Permitted?

[Dawn_VanName]

Are glass chalices allowed at Mass? I thought the chalices were to be at least gold plated or have silver as an insert, so that it cannot break. Any info. on this?
Thanks.
Dawn

 

[buffalo]

From Redemptionis Sacramentum

3. Sacred Vessels

[117.] Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books.[[205]](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#_ftn205)The Bishops’  Conferences have the  faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the *recognitio* by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region,[[206]](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#_ftn206)so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. **Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate.**[[207]](http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#_ftn207)

Reporbated means cease immediately.

 

[Detroit_Sue]

According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

1. Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside.

 

[Vincent]

Glass is forbidden:

“Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books. The Bishops’ Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region, so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate”

(Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, 117, emphasis added).

 

[Fast_ed75]

No they are not permitted. Glass Chalices (similar to those found at K-Mart and Pier 1) are a product of blatant dissent by those who do not believe in the Real Presence and want to emphasize the “communal meal” aspect of communion over its sacrificial nature.

 

[deogratias]

No they are not permitted

True

. Glass Chalices (similar to those found at K-Mart and Pier 1) are a product of blatant dissent by those who do not believe in the Real Presence and want to emphasize the “communal meal” aspect of communion over its sacrificial nature

Presumptive

 

[LarryM]

Dawn VanName:

Are glass chalices allowed at Mass? I thought the chalices were to be at least gold plated or have silver as an insert, so that it cannot break. Any info. on this?
Thanks.
Dawn

Glass is not permitted. However, in the United States, Crystal may be used if the local Bishop permits it.

The USCCB deems crystal to be not common, and not necessarily easily breakable. For example, Archbishop George has given permission for quality crystal chalices to be used in the Chicago Acrhdiocese.

 

[Crusader]

Fast_ed75:

No they are not permitted. Glass Chalices (similar to those found at K-Mart and Pier 1) are a product of blatant dissent by those who do not believe in the Real Presence and want to emphasize the “communal meal” aspect of communion over its sacrificial nature.

We had a hardcore female wanna-be priest who announced we would NEVER stop using wine glasses and glass candy dishes for Mass.

Not too many months later we collected about $5K for new sacred vessels – all in conformity with the Church.

 

[John_Higgins]

LarryM:

Crystal may be used if the local Bishop permits it.

The USCCB deems crystal to be not common, and not necessarily easily breakable.

Thanks, Larry. I knew this was the case, I just hadn’t found it yet.

When my wife and I got married in 2000, we asked the priest to use the Waterford chalice as a tribute to our common Irish heritage.

John

 

[deogratias]

See this article from Zenit

zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=41240

 

[Detroit_Sue]

Glass is not permitted. However, in the United States, Crystal may be used if the local Bishop permits it.

The USCCB deems crystal to be not common, and not necessarily easily breakable. For example, Archbishop George has given permission for quality crystal chalices to be used in the Chicago Acrhdiocese.

I didn’t know this. Thank you.

 

[tom.wineman]

What doesn’t seem clear here is are we talking about the chalice the priest is using at the consecration or the vessel used in distributing it.

 

[deogratias]

What difference would that make? If either is in danger of breaking and spilling the precious blood, they should not be used is my understanding.

The Zenit article I referenced earlier says in part:

A rule of thumb in deciding if a material is suitably strong for use as a chalice could be called the “clumsy server test.” What happens if a server hits the rim of the chalice with a cruet? If the result is splinters, then the material should go to the rejection pile.

On the basis of these considerations I would say that in most cases glass is unsuitable material for use as a chalice, but the latitude provided in liturgical law does not allow for an outright prohibition

 

[Dawn_VanName]

There are 3 chalices. One is gold and 2 glass chalices are on the alter. The priest uses the gold and the E.M. 's use the glass.
Thanks for all the information it greaatly helps!
BTW, would this also apply to using a glass ciborium???
Dawn

 

[KennySe]

Dawn VanName:

…and 2 glass chalices are on the alter. …the E.M. 's use the glass.

This is wrong. See the Redemptionis Sacramentum paragraph and the Caon Law # quoted by buffalo and Detroit Sue.

You might want to print those and share this concern with your parish priest.

 

[loyola_rambler]

KennySe:

This is wrong. See the Redemptionis Sacramentum paragraph and the Caon Law # quoted by buffalo and Detroit Sue.

You might want to print those and share this concern with your parish priest.

Let’s give the priest the benefit of the doubt that he’s using crystal.

 

[oat_soda]

When my wife and I got married in 2000, we asked the priest to use the Waterford chalice as a tribute to our common Irish heritage.

here lies the great crisis of our church. instead of having the mass and worship focused on God, it instead is focused on ourselves. Jesus told us that the greatest two comandments are 1) love God with your whole heart and 2) love one another. love of self is number three. lex orandi lex crendendi

if one was french, would it be appropriate to use french bread instead of unleavened for the eucharist? also, if it is required that the chalice does not break easily, how can crystal be used?

 

[oat_soda]

Let’s give the priest the benefit of the doubt that he’s using crystal.

how can crystal be used and glass not? are you saying crystal doesn’t break easily but glass does? it isn’t about what you or i think is appropriate, but what the church does.

GIRM 329. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, sacred vessels may also be made from other solid materials that, according to the common estimation in each region, are precious, for example, ebony or other hard woods, provided that such materials are suited to sacred use and do not easily break or deteriorate. This applies to all vessels which hold the hosts, such as the paten, the ciborium, the pyx, the monstrance, and other things of this kind.

 

[buffalo]

Again I will post this. Note the word reprobated. Whoever knows Latin will also know the absoluteness of the bold statement. I cannot see how this is arguable. Also, did Chicago approve crystal before or after RS?

From Redemptionis Sacramentum

3. Sacred Vessels

[117.] Sacred vessels for containing the Body and Blood of the Lord must be made in strict conformity with the norms of tradition and of the liturgical books.[205]The Bishops’ Conferences have the faculty to decide whether it is appropriate, once their decisions have been given the recognitio by the Apostolic See, for sacred vessels to be made of other solid materials as well. It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region,[206]so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily. This norm is to be applied even as regards metals and other materials that easily rust or deteriorate.[207]

Reprobated means cease immediately.
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[loyola_rambler]

Quality crystal really doesn’t break that easily. Note the wording isn’t that it MUST NEVER BREAK, just that it MUST NOT BREAK EASILY. It also says the vessel must not be ordinary. It’s very easy to argue that quality lead crystal is not ordinary and not lacking artistic merit.

Chicago isn’t the only diocese allowing crystal. This is yet another instance of people looking for fault in their parishes instead of realizing what’s right.