Chalice Material

[holyspirit1985]

so i’m confused…is crystal allowed or not? b/c that’s what my parish uses. always has. is it allowed to? and if not, how do you go about telling your priest that he’s doing something he’s not allowed to do?

 

[msproule]

holyspirit1985:

so i’m confused…is crystal allowed or not? b/c that’s what my parish uses. always has. is it allowed to? and if not, how do you go about telling your priest that he’s doing something he’s not allowed to do?

From the information we are provided (GIRM and Redemptionis Sacramentum), it is quite evident that the use of easily breakable materials such as glass, crystal, and earthenware, has been reprobated. That is, they are not to be employed as the sacred vessels, beginnning yesterday.

It is still possible that your Bishop has knowingly allowed this problem to continue, even if only on a temporary basis. I know of such examples. Nevertheless, he is obligated to enforce these instructions and there is no good reason not to do so.

I recommend reading Redemptionis Sacramentum thoroughly. It not only clarifies this point, but also provides instructions as to how one should approach the task of correcting such issues.

 

[otm]

Deacon Ed:

The only requirements are that 1) the chalice be made of “noble material” and, 2) it not be easily broken. Thus, although Waterford crystal is, indeed, “noble material” it should not be used for a chalice as it is easily broken. The same would apply to ceramic. A more modern tradition holds that the inner portion of the cup be made of a “precious metal” such as gold or silver, but this is not a requirement that the Church puts forth.

Deacon Ed

I would beg to differ with you; waterford crystal is not “easily” broken. Can it break? Yes, but nowhere as easily as a standard wine goblet.

In all the years I have seen Waterford used at Mass, I have never seen one break; I have never seen one dropped. Nor have I seen a metal, or ceramic chalice dropped or broken. Nor have I ever heard first hand from anyone else who has seen that.

It largely seems to be a solution in search of a problem.

 

[otm]

Ignatius:

You are of course absolutely right, the Church must change to “keep up with the times”. They must ordain women, use rice for the Eucharist and permit same sex and other species marriages otherwise the Church will be out of step with the people. After all it’s their church, right?

Instead aof being snotty, why don’t you try and answer him?

 

[otm]

OutinChgoburbs:

I am sorry if I was not sufficiently clear. I was talking about crystal breaking, as in shattering, etc. I am quite aware anything liquid can spill. It is NOT an issue of obedience to the Holy See, in the sense of His Holiness, but adherence to the Magisterium, which is NOT a group of people istting around making up rules.

It doesn’t help to pick on those who agree on point for a different reason, or who bring up a lesser reason. Dialogue and statement of opinion does not include curt dismissal.

I beg to differ with you. It most certainly is not an issue of the Magisterium, as that refers to the teaching authority and charism of the Church as exercised by the Pope and the bishops in union with him.

This is not about teaching, as it is not about dogma or doctrine. It is about praxis, about rules and legislation of rubrics, which can be changed. That is specifically about authority, as it is about the authority to legislate.

Legislation is not a Magisterial function. JKirk might have been short and pithy, but he was correct.

 

[msproule]

otm:

I would beg to differ with you; waterford crystal is not “easily” broken. Can it break? Yes, but nowhere as easily as a standard wine goblet…

It largely seems to be a solution in search of a problem.

Rather, it (the instruction to use precious metal) appears to be a prudent and logical preventative measure. I have seen Waterford crystal break in casual usage at home. Just because you have not witnessed it yet, why not anticipate that such an incident might occur during Mass?

I have never personally witnessed somebody stealing the Eucharist from the taberbacle for profane use. Nevertheless, tabernacles must be equipped with a lock and key to prevent this unfortunate event, however unlikely it may be to occur.

But anyway, according to the GIRM:
328. Sacred vessels are to be made from precious **
** metal.