Buying Sacred Vessels

[hamburglar]

I go to a Catholic college, but unfortunately, the chapel uses glass cups and glass plates.

I was thinking of maybe either donating some proper Sacred Vessels or maybe fund raising for them. But how much would they cost, and how can I get them? Actually, is it even possible for a lay person to get the vessels and donate them, or would I just donate the money for the vessels?

I would probably need one vessel for the Blessed Sacrament, and maybe two for the Precious Blood. Our chapel currently uses 4 for the Blessed Sacrament and 4 for the Precious Blood.

 

[WavyGravy]

I go to a Catholic college, but unfortunately, the chapel uses glass cups and glass plates.

I was thinking of maybe either donating some proper Sacred Vessels or maybe fund raising for them. But how much would they cost, and how can I get them? Actually, is it even possible for a lay person to get the vessels and donate them, or would I just donate the money for the vessels?

I would probably need one vessel for the Blessed Sacrament, and maybe two for the Precious Blood. Our chapel currently uses 4 for the Blessed Sacrament and 4 for the Precious Blood.

It’s certainly possible for the laity to purchase and donate sacred vessels. I would sit-down and work with your chaplain to determine the actual needs and then start the fund raising as they can be quite pricey. Show pictures of what you intend to purchase to potential donors. I wouldn’t want to donate to purchase some vessels I have seen while I would be quick to help out with the purchase of other vessels.

The costs can run $50-5,000+/chalice or ciborium. To get an idea just search the words “chalice” or “ciborium” on eBay.

 

[hamburglar]

It’s certainly possible for the laity to purchase and donate sacred vessels. I would sit-down and work with your chaplain to determine the actual needs and then start the fund raising as they can be quite pricey. Show pictures of what you intend to purchase to potential donors. I wouldn’t want to donate to purchase some vessels I have seen while I would be quick to help out with the purchase of other vessels.

The costs can run $50-5,000+/chalice or ciborium. To get an idea just search the words “chalice” or “ciborium” on eBay.

We don’t have a permanent chaplain, unfortunately. We kinda play “priest roulette.” We have different priests every Sunday, with usually the same 2-3 priests for the weekday Masses.

Are there church supply stores that would be good? I don’t really want to buy something off eBay for this.

 

[Brother_John]

You might check with a Knights of Columbus 4th degree Assembly.

Some of them have what is known as a “Chalice Fund”, where after the death of a 4th degree member, the assembly will donate a chalice to the priest or church of the deceased family’s choice.

Often, the family doesn’t have a particular preference, and might be willing to address your cause.

A long shot, but worth a try.

 

[benedictgal]

You might check with a Knights of Columbus 4th degree Assembly.

Some of them have what is known as a “Chalice Fund”, where after the death of a 4th degree member, the assembly will donate a chalice to the priest or church of the deceased family’s choice.

Often, the family doesn’t have a particular preference, and might be willing to address your cause.

A long shot, but worth a try.

Actually, if the families know that it is for an excellent cause, such as yours, I don’t think that would be a problem. Many parishes have beautiful sacred vessels and may not use the K of C chalice as often as it should be used. Therefore, donating a chalice in memory of a Knight to a campus ministry would really be fitting.

My dad’s a 4th Degree Knight (as well as a past District Deputy, Insurance Agent and Faithful Navigator). He’s seen many a chalice donated, but, rarely used.

This could also pave the way for maybe having a K of C council at your campus. Just a thought.

 

[Br_Mark]

Dear Hamburglar,

Before going out and purchasing items for your college chapel; I think that it would be a wise idea to check with whoever is in charge. Whoever that person maybe, they might be satisfied with using glass chalices and patens. If that is the case then your gift would be, how they say “pearls before swine”, if they will not be used.

In Christ’s service,

Br. Mark, OSB

 

[benedictgal]

Dear Hamburglar,

Before going out and purchasing items for your college chapel; I think that it would be a wise idea to check with whoever is in charge. Whoever that person maybe, they might be satisfied with using glass chalices and patens. If that is the case then your gift would be, how they say “pearls before swine”, if they will not be used.

In Christ’s service,

Br. Mark, OSB

Br. Mark, I would have to respectfully disagree with you. According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:

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 honor 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

Therefore, we are not merely addressing the issue of “pearls and swine”, so to speak, but, a practice that is characterized as reprobated and abusive under Redemptionis Sacramentum. This needs to be corrected and the OP is doing his best to rectify the matter.

Furthermore, Francis Cardinal Arinze, in his response to certain questions on the liturgy (as presented by the online version of Adoremus) clearly states the following:

In the United States, we have adequate income, why would we have to use glass or porcelain for the precious Blood and the Body of our Lord on the altar and not gold?

Oh, for the vessels. Ah! Actually, ***the liturgical laws forbid [this]. ***This is actually for bishops and priests to work out, because you cannot work out all that. But the liturgical laws are laid down about what type of vessel will be allowed at Mass.

Glass is forbidden. Yes, Forbidden. And anything that can break. Not to talk of those using baskets! Terrible things happen in this world!

Therefore, since what this campus ministry is doing is forbidden, credit should be given to the OP for trying to correct this problem.

 

[Br_Mark]

Dear Benedictgal;

I stand by my statement that it would be best to check with whoever in authority before one makes a purchase of anything, to make sure that the gift is desired and will be used. If whatever that is purchased is not wanted or is used, it would be awaste of resources.

And yes Iam aware of Redemptionis Sacramentum and what it says; I am also aware how my abbot and bishop have defined and implimented said document. My question to Hamburglar, the OP is ? How has the Bishop that has authority where the chapel is located ruled regarding this ?

Blessings,

Br Mark, OSB

 

[benedictgal]

Dear Benedictgal;

I stand by my statement that it would be best to check with whoever in authority before one makes a purchase of anything, to make sure that the gift is desired and will be used. If whatever that is purchased is not wanted or is used, it would be awaste of resources.

And yes Iam aware of Redemptionis Sacramentum and what it says; I am also aware how my abbot and bishop have defined and implimented said document. My question to Hamburglar, the OP is ? How has the Bishop that has authority where the chapel is located ruled regarding this ?

Blessings,

Br Mark, OSB

I, too, respectfully, stand by my statement. Redemptionis Sacramentum does not contain an escape hatch, if you will. It clearly states that it is the right of every Catholic that:

the Liturgy, and in particular the celebration of Holy Mass, should truly be as the Church wishes, according to her stipulations as prescribed in the liturgical books and in the other laws and norms. Likewise, the Catholic people have the right that the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass should be celebrated for them in an integral manner, according to the entire doctrine of the Church’s Magisterium. Finally, it is the Catholic community’s right that the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist should be carried out for it in such a manner that it truly stands out as a sacrament of unity, to the exclusion of all blemishes and actions that might engender divisions and factions in the Church.32

This includes ensuring that the appropriate sacred vessels are used and that the rubrics and norms are followed. Therefore, the OP has every right to call the chaplain (or, the powers that be) on that one.

Furthermore, the fact that this is supposed to be a Catholic college is also troubling. They should be at the forefront of following all of the Church’s norms and rubrics regarding the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. For that matter, so should the various religious congregations and dioceses.

As I understand this, the late Pope John Paul II ordered Redemptionis Sacramentum to be written because there were too many abuses cropping up all over the place. No one should be above the law when it comes to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. That’s why the GIRM and RS exist.