The Communion Cup's Material

[Metaron]

Hey, I’ve really been wondering this: In my old Anglican church, the communion cup was required to be gold on the inside and at least silver on the inside. Also with the plate. As you know, I’m going through RCIA right now, and I’ve been attending Mass at Saint Mary, Refuge of Sinners Roman Catholic Church. I’v been noticing a lot of differences lately. The processional crucifix was actually a resifix! And there was a strange lack of incense. We had it at every service at my old church. And their were girl acolytes, no sanctus bells… and, strangest to me, the Communion Cup was clear glass, not gold or silver. Isn’t that against Canon Law? Just wondering.

 

[benedictgal]

Hey, I’ve really been wondering this: In my old Anglican church, the communion cup was required to be gold on the inside and at least silver on the inside. Also with the plate. As you know, I’m going through RCIA right now, and I’ve been attending Mass at Saint Mary, Refuge of Sinners Roman Catholic Church. I’v been noticing a lot of differences lately. The processional crucifix was actually a resifix! And there was a strange lack of incense. We had it at every service at my old church. And their were girl acolytes, no sanctus bells… and, strangest to me, the Communion Cup was clear glass, not gold or silver. Isn’t that against Canon Law? Just wondering.

Francis Cardinal Arinze answered your very question regarding the material for the chailce. I posted it in another thread, but it does bear repeating:

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!

However, not all priests know that. There are places where they had glass and they didn’t know.

It’s very sad that they are doing these things (or, as in the case of the incense and lack of bells) not doing them. The first rector at our Cathedral used incense every Sunday and at every Mass and the bells were rung. It’s a shame that when he was transfered, everything went down the tubes. Have you tried looking for another parish, or maybe an Anglican-use community? When I was in Austin, I actually enjoyed the Anglican Rite of the Mass. It was actually a lot like the TLM, except it was in Englsih.

 

[DebChris]

Before Vatican II, I was taught that the inside of the chalice always needed to be lined with gold, although no reason was given. Vatican II documents call for the chalice to be made of culturally valuable material that is unbreakable. If necessary, it is to be lined with gold to prevent corrosion.

 

[benedictgal]

Before Vatican II, I was taught that the inside of the chalice always needed to be lined with gold, although no reason was given. Vatican II documents call for the chalice to be made of culturally valuable material that is unbreakable. If necessary, it is to be lined with gold to prevent corrosion.

I would be most curious if you were to cite the actual document, as Cardinal Arinze’s comments seem to be to the contrary. If you can’t find it, I’ll try to look it up myself. Even though I was born after the Council, I, too, was taught that the chalice always to be lined with gold. In fact, that is how nearly all of the parishes in my diocese have their chalices.

 

[Metaron]

I would be most curious if you were to cite the actual document, as Cardinal Arinze’s comments seem to be to the contrary. If you can’t find it, I’ll try to look it up myself. Even though I was born after the Council, I, too, was taught that the chalice always to be lined with gold. In fact, that is how nearly all of the parishes in my diocese have their chalices.

I would like to attend an Anglican-use Mass; I would probably find it familiar, being an ex-Anglican. You know what I think the perfect Mass would be? The Tridentine Mass in English. I hope his Holiness approves of that.

 

[ClaireS]

The chalice is supposed to be of some type of precious material, not porous or breakable, so that would leave out wood, glass, or even beautiful pottery. Sometimes the problem is financial. You may want to inquire if the parish iis planning to purchase the approved vessels and express your concern or offer a donation. Bells and incense are not required at mass. Sometimes incense isn’t used if the priest or many parishoners are allergic to it. Girl altar servers are allowed if your bishop approves. It’s certainly permissible to attend mass in a parish in which you feel more comfortable. However, it doesn’t seem as though any major abuses are taking place where you are. You should consider that you really should go through RCIA in the parish that you will attend after you are received into the church since part of the RCIA process is to help you become part of the parish. If you were to prefer mass at a nearby parish, perhaps you might speak to the pastor about continuing RCIA there. I hope your journey into the church is filled with blessings.

 

[scylla]

I would like to attend an Anglican-use Mass; I would probably find it familiar, being an ex-Anglican. You know what I think the perfect Mass would be? The Tridentine Mass in English. I hope his Holiness approves of that.

We need more people who want to be Catholic as sometimes we have almost entire parishes which are difficult to recognize as Catholic. Please come join us in the Church and help to defend Her from those who want to minimize or destroy liturgical tradition.

Yes incense is a good thing, we should have Chalices lined in gold or precious metal, we should have Bells and it is preferable to have boys serve. (girls were allowed after so much disobedient people allowed girls that Pope John Paul allowed it with the individual Bishop and Pastors discretion) You can look at all the long old threads on this.

Catholicism does exist and it is great, unfortunately it is constantly under attack from outside and within the Church.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Metaron]

The chalice is supposed to be of some type of precious material, not porous or breakable, so that would leave out wood, glass, or even beautiful pottery. Sometimes the problem is financial. You may want to inquire if the parish iis planning to purchase the approved vessels and express your concern or offer a donation. Bells and incense are not required at mass. Sometimes incense isn’t used if the priest or many parishoners are allergic to it. Girl altar servers are allowed if your bishop approves. It’s certainly permissible to attend mass in a parish in which you feel more comfortable. However, it doesn’t seem as though any major abuses are taking place where you are. You should consider that you really should go through RCIA in the parish that you will attend after you are received into the church since part of the RCIA process is to help you become part of the parish. If you were to prefer mass at a nearby parish, perhaps you might speak to the pastor about continuing RCIA there. I hope your journey into the church is filled with blessings.

Yeah… I would feel bad mentioning any of the things I found strange or against canon law to the priest while I’m going through RCIA. That would be awefully presumptuous of me.

 

[bpbasilphx]

There are two practical reasons for chalices being classically of silver and gold:

1. To honor the Lord with our best.
2. Gold and silver do not impart a strange taste to the wine as brass or other metals would.

 

[Seatuck]

**

3. Sacred Vessels

1. 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 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.207
2. Before they are used, sacred vessels are to be blessed by a Priest according to the rites laid down in the liturgical books.208 It is praiseworthy for the blessing to be given by the diocesan Bishop, who will judge whether the vessels are worthy of the use to which they are destined.

ewtn.com/library/curia/cdwrdsac.htm**

 

[Seatuck]

There are two practical reasons for chalices being classically of silver and gold:

1. To honor the Lord with our best.
2. Gold and silver do not impart a strange taste to the wine as brass or other metals would.

Number 3 would be that metal is not porous and will not absorb the precious blood thereby profaning it.

 

[DebChris]

I would be most curious if you were to cite the actual document, as Cardinal Arinze’s comments seem to be to the contrary. If you can’t find it, I’ll try to look it up myself. Even though I was born after the Council, I, too, was taught that the chalice always to be lined with gold. In fact, that is how nearly all of the parishes in my diocese have their chalices.

I will get back to you on this. It should be in the document dealing with the Liturgy. I have a copy of the Vatican II documents at home.

 

[SenorBells]

I would be most curious if you were to cite the actual document, as Cardinal Arinze’s comments seem to be to the contrary. If you can’t find it, I’ll try to look it up myself. Even though I was born after the Council, I, too, was taught that the chalice always to be lined with gold. In fact, that is how nearly all of the parishes in my diocese have their chalices.

“Arinze’s Comments” (or your interpretation of them) are not what govern what communion cups are to be made from. The GIRM and RS and the poster was perfectly correct – go have a look.

A brass chalice that was plated with platinum would not have to have its interior re-plated with gold for instance.

 

[SenorBells]

I would think a chalice made from ebony wood would be permissible in some parts of the world.

It’s not fragile, the grain is tight enough so that it doesn’t absorb liquids and in some part of the world it is considered a noble material.

 

[DebChris]

From Vatican II Document on Sacred Liturgy (Ch 5:289-296):
290. The sacred vessels should be made of materials which are solid and esteemed valuable in the regions where they are used…[with] preference to materials which do not break or deteriorate.
291. Every chalice or other vessel destined to contain the Precious Blood should have a cup made from some material that is impermeable to liquids. The foot, however, can be made of anything solid and worthy of its purpose.
294. If sacred vessels are made from material liable to become tarnished, they should be gold-plated inside. But this is not necessary if the metal is both precious and immune from oxidation.

 

[benedictgal]

From Vatican II Document on Sacred Liturgy (Ch 5:289-296):
290. The sacred vessels should be made of materials which are solid and esteemed valuable in the regions where they are used…[with] preference to materials which do not break or deteriorate.
291. Every chalice or other vessel destined to contain the Precious Blood should have a cup made from some material that is impermeable to liquids. The foot, however, can be made of anything solid and worthy of its purpose.
294. If sacred vessels are made from material liable to become tarnished, they should be gold-plated inside. But this is not necessary if the metal is both precious and immune from oxidation.

Thank you. I have seen wooden chalices and patens that are lined with gold.