Chalice, Tabernacle, ..... materials for the items on the altar

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Apryl

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Last week, I was watching EWTN and the Mass was on. My aunt, a non-Catholic, was watching along with me.

“I don’t want to ask a stupid question, but is all of that stuff actually gold?” :confused:

I told her that it’s supposed to be, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was just gold leaf, or gold colored.

We didn’t go further. Had we, I would have pointed out that you would have ONLY the best for the actual body and blood of Christ… but I don’t know if in our respective parishes, if there is much on the materials (other than the chalice is not to be glass) 😉

What is the correct ‘ruling’ on this?🙂
 
From the GIRM-
328. 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.
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.
 
Email the folks at EWTN - they can give you a definitive answer.
 
Apryl said:
The GIRM is the definitive answer! 👍

But thanks for the response. 🙂
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Not if you’re looking for an answer as to what EWTN used at their Mass.

And, what the GIRM says isn’t necessarily always true - my “Catholic in good standing” parish uses glass vessels - something reprobated by the Vatican a few years ago.
 
bayernfan said:
Not if you’re looking for an answer as to what EWTN used at their Mass.

And, what the GIRM says isn’t necessarily always true - my “Catholic in good standing” parish uses glass vessels - something reprobated by the Vatican a few years ago.
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Nope… my question wasn’t about what EWTN uses, but what’s supposed to be used. That would cover even the most ’ in good standing’ situations out there. 🙂
 
Apryl said:
Nope… my question wasn’t about what EWTN uses, but what’s supposed to be used. That would cover even the most ’ in good standing’ situations out there. 🙂
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Ah, OK. From your OP, it seemed like you asked what they were using.
 
I am a sacristan and most of what my parish uses is polished brass.
 
Apryl said:
Please excuse my density… but is polished brass considered a precious metal? :confused:
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  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.
I am thinking, that from a practical standpoint, most churches could not afford to have all gold chalices, patens etc., especially considering the price of gold right now, so brass and/or bronze would be suitable. Now as to the “gilding” I am not so sure if that is an absolute requirement, or if it is just “strongly suggested”.
 
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