B
Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
I received from a wooden chalice this weekend that had no metal lining in it.
Liturgical Abuse? Can a priest use a wooden chalice that is not lined with precious metal?
- Status
N
NPC
Guest
Hi, I found this on www.newadvent.org… I think the answer to your question is no…
“According to the existing law of the Church the chalice, or at least the cup of it, must be made either of gold or of silver, and in the latter case the bowl must be gilt on the inside. In circumstances of great poverty or in time of persecution a calix stanneus (pewter) may be permitted, but the bowl of this also, like the upper surface of the paten, must be gilt. Before the chalice and paten are used in the Sacrifice of the Mass they require consecration. This rite is carried out according to a form specially provided in the “Pontificale” and involving the use of holy chrism. The consecration must be performed by a bishop (or in the case of chalices intended for monastic use, by an abbot possessing the privilege), and a bishop cannot in an ordinary way delegate any priest to perform this function in his place. Further, if the chalice lose its consecration – which happens for example if it be broken or the cup perforated, or even if it has had to be sent to have the bowl regilded-it is neccesary that it should be reconsecrated by the bishop before it can again be used. Strictly speaking, only priests and deacons are permitted to touch the chalice or paten, but leave is usually granted to sacristans and those officially appointed to take charge of the vestments and sacred vessels.”
“According to the existing law of the Church the chalice, or at least the cup of it, must be made either of gold or of silver, and in the latter case the bowl must be gilt on the inside. In circumstances of great poverty or in time of persecution a calix stanneus (pewter) may be permitted, but the bowl of this also, like the upper surface of the paten, must be gilt. Before the chalice and paten are used in the Sacrifice of the Mass they require consecration. This rite is carried out according to a form specially provided in the “Pontificale” and involving the use of holy chrism. The consecration must be performed by a bishop (or in the case of chalices intended for monastic use, by an abbot possessing the privilege), and a bishop cannot in an ordinary way delegate any priest to perform this function in his place. Further, if the chalice lose its consecration – which happens for example if it be broken or the cup perforated, or even if it has had to be sent to have the bowl regilded-it is neccesary that it should be reconsecrated by the bishop before it can again be used. Strictly speaking, only priests and deacons are permitted to touch the chalice or paten, but leave is usually granted to sacristans and those officially appointed to take charge of the vestments and sacred vessels.”
J
japhy
Guest
The GIRM has guidelines for the types of vessels that may be used:
The Requisites for the Celebration of Mass
III. Sacred Vessels
- 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.
- 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.
- As regards chalices and other vessels that are intended to serve as receptacles for the Blood of the Lord, they are to have bowls of nonabsorbent material. The base, on the other hand, may be made of other solid and worthy materials.
In addition, Redemptionis Sacramentum has a section devoted to sacred vessels; one paragraph in particular says:
Chapter V - CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS CONCERNING THE EUCHARIST
3. Sacred Vessels - 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. [cf. GIRM 327-333] 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, [cf. GIRM 329,332] 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. [cf. GIRM 329,332; http://adoremus.org/InaestimabileDonum.html”]Inaestimabile donum, 16]
So unless the wood of the chalice is “truly noble” in the estimation of your diocese or region, and is neither porous nor “absorbant”, it cannot be used at Mass.
P
Pious_Mat
Guest
The logic behind not allowing wooden vessels would be that the Blood would soak into the wood, and some of it would stay there. The same applies to any liquified fragments of the host, which could be wiped into it. Not a very pretty fate for Jesus!
H
Hellisreal
Guest
They use glass at my parish for the wine and water. They are the same as you get for salad dressing - vinegar and oil type of thing. I never bring it up because they would just laugh at me anyway.
D
DallasCatholic
Guest
Maybe I am wrong…but I wouldn’t consider the “cruets” that contain the water and wine (brought up as gifts to the altar) to be sacred vessels. After all they are just water and wine until the Priest pours them into the chalice and confects the Eucharist.
H
Hellisreal
Guest
I guess my problem is they are identical to salad dressing thingys or as you properly call them, cruets. Not any different. Its just a mental thing associating it to vinegar (think of the symbolism here with the vinegar and the passion) and oil… I dunno, its just a mental thing I guess with me.
It quite possibly is no issue at all. Thats why I never said anything, I really do think they will laugh their heads off if I did bring it up. Like, cant they at least look a bit better than the ones I have at home? Not that it matters I guess.
S
stmaria
Guest
Here is a video of Cardinal Mahoney using a glass chalice which is an abuse.
youtube.com/watch?v=exeJwY1FD4Q&mode=related&search
- Status