Glass chalices?

[Joan_M]

In the end, it is not the make of the chalice but what is inside it that really matters. If you are conserened with breakability of the glass, offer to donate some type of metal one, it does not have to be specifically gold or gold plated. That is often the reason for keeping glass ones, the budget to replace them as many parishes are struggling with overall funds. The official policy come from one Cardinal’s writings and has been officially adopted for the time being, but glass is not outlawed.

Actually, it is because of what is inside that the material of the chalice really matters. Are you really going to put the Blood of Christ in anything less than the best?

Budget be darned!

 

[japhy]

The official policy come from one Cardinal’s writings and has been officially adopted for the time being, but glass is not outlawed.

What?

Redemptionis Sacramentum is not a personal document of Cardinal Arinze; it is was “prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith”. As for “officially adopted”, it is liturgical law. No “adoption” apart from its promulgation by Pope John Paul II, who “ordered it to be published and to be observed immediately by all concerned” (on March 25, 2004). And as for glass being outlawed or not, n. 117 is really clear on the matter: the practice of using a vessel made of glass is reprobated. Finally, at the end of the Instruction are these words: “All things to the contrary notwithstanding.”

 

[Spiller]

Several years ago, one of our lay liturgical experts patted herself on her own back in our local paper. Having opened the door, someone excoriated her performance at our parish with a letter to the editor. He hammered her on the cheap wine glasses and glass cereal bowls we used for Holy Communion.

Within 2 weeks we took a second collection for new sacred vessels and within another 2 we were using them. They are still in use today.

I remember her saying several times that we would NEVER use gold sacred vessels again and that using the cheap glass was more in keeping with a meal.

Those sorta comments tend to embitter people.

 

[Newbie2]

Newbie,

I left a very large and successful parish in S.E. Michigan because of the priest looking for loopholes instead of standing up to the Parish Council and following the rules.

If perhaps you are in the diocese of S.E. Michigan that just received a new bishop, things may be looking up! The new bishop is very mindful of correct liturgy and I’m sure will be tightening things up in the diocese. Please pray that this will happen.

Yes, our priest made mention of that at mass yesterday. Cardinal Maida is said to be retiring.

I remember her saying several times that we would NEVER use gold sacred vessels again and that using the cheap glass was more in keeping with a meal.

Those sorta comments tend to embitter people.

I can see why!

 

[Donna_P]

At my church, we have one large chalice that looks like it’s made of gold, and then three smaller glass chalices that Father also consecrates. The gold one is used by only the priest and EMHC’s, and then the EMHC’s are given the glass chalices of Precious Blood to distribute. Is this okay since there is a gold chalice, or are the glass ones still prohibited? and if they are, what can/should I do?

Dear sanctus,

May God be with you!

All vessels which hold the consecrated bread or wine must be made of something unbreakable. Glass is not an option.

God bless you!

 

[sanctus_belle]

Wow, this thread got big. Thank you for all the responses. I’m not entirely sure how to go about saying something…I’ll figure it out. Thanks again

 

[benedictgal]

Wow, this thread got big. Thank you for all the responses. I’m not entirely sure how to go about saying something…I’ll figure it out. Thanks again

Get hold of a copy of Redemptionis Sacramentum. I believe that japhy has one posted on his Cross Reference blog. Write a sincere and emotionally-detached letter to your pastor and civilly explain to him that what he is using is going against what is written in the document. Rome has declared the practice of using glassware as reprobated and must be corrected as soon as possible.

If he tells you that he is not bound to follow RS, then, write a letter to the bishop. This is a serious abuse that must be addressed immediately and corrected. There are no grey areas here.

 

[Spiller]

Get hold of a copy of Redemptionis Sacramentum. I believe that japhy has one posted on his Cross Reference blog. Write a sincere and emotionally-detached letter to your pastor and civilly explain to him that what he is using is going against what is written in the document. Rome has declared the practice of using glassware as reprobated and must be corrected as soon as possible.

If he tells you that he is not bound to follow RS, then, write a letter to the bishop. This is a serious abuse that must be addressed immediately and corrected. There are no grey areas here.

Why?

 

[benedictgal]

Why?

The Church has already stated that using glassware is a reprobated practice that must stop immediately. What part of that do you not understand?

What this parish is doing is wrong. It clearly goes against the norms dictated by Redemptionis Sacramentum. Part and parcel of being in the Church is obedience to the norms set forth by the Holy See. You can’t, on your own authority and initiative, do what you want. That is why we have rubrics.

 

[James0235]

Why?

The Church tells us that we have a duty to do all that we can to end Liturgical Abuses.

In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.

*Redemptionis Sacramentum 183

*The least that can be done is to approach the pastor and, if the abuse does not end, report it to the bishop.

Any Catholic…has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop…or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

*Redemptionis Sacramentum 184

*James

 

[benedictgal]

The Church tells us that we have a duty to do all that we can to end Liturgical Abuses.

In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.

Redemptionis Sacramentum 183

The least that can be done is to approach the pastor and, if the abuse does not end, report it to the bishop.

Any Catholic…has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop…or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

Redemptionis Sacramentum 184

James

AMEN!

 

[Spiller]

The Church has already stated that using glassware is a reprobated practice that must stop immediately. What part of that do you not understand?

What this parish is doing is wrong. It clearly goes against the norms dictated by Redemptionis Sacramentum. Part and parcel of being in the Church is obedience to the norms set forth by the Holy See. You can’t, on your own authority and initiative, do what you want. That is why we have rubrics.

I really don’t think you “get it.”

If my parish used a glass chalice and I didn’t think my pastor realized what the Church actually directed, I would tactfully bring it to his attention including an authoritative reference from the Church. What I would not give is commentary as if I was an expert.

I would also make the effort to understand the chalice itself. Is it a $.99 wine glass someone bought to make the Mass “feel more like a meal” or is it a priceless Waterford crystal chalice that has been in service at the parish since Monsignor Murphy pastored the place in the 1930s? Your naive black and white viewpoint might bristle at the thought of taking such things into consideration, but that same mindset is what frustrates people and keeps them from being effective agents of change. In the end, nothing gets done except to harden the pastor and bishop for the next person in line who shares your concerns.

If he changes the chalice, done. But what if he didn’t? You should be able to surmise from his response if the bishop is going to do anything if you indeed elevate the matter. If I was certain the bishop wasn’t going to do anything about it, I wouldn’t elevate it – even if I felt it was my duty. Further, if my pastor and bishop didn’t do anything about it I would not elevate it further. Do that over a glass chalice and you’ll get no action at that level. You’ll merely be branded a crackpot.

Now if it was a matter of graviora delicta (which it pretty much was in my case) I not only would take it as high as I needed to, it’s my strong belief that such matters would be quickly handled by just about any pastor if brought to their attention.

Too many people fail to pick their battles wisely, they fail to use tact and finesse and they end-up bitter and disenfranchised – and still nothing gets done. I think this is one area where the “liberals” run circles around the “traditionalists” in general – effecting change…

 

[Jean_Anthony]

This thread is closed. Thank you all.