Why do some parishes use cheap chalices?

[Fast_ed75]

In going to different parishes I am perplexed over the vessels used for the precious blood. So many are distributing it in water goblets that resemble something found on the shelf at Wal-Mart. Gold-Plated or similar chalices cost as little as $90 each but usually average $400 each. Why does the church not invest in these and continue to use cheap vessels?

 

[PASCENDI]

Because they don’t care. Even Mother Teresa made sure that the priests who offered mass for her nuns and those she ministered to used decent chalices. And these were people poorer than we can imagine.

 

[Fast_ed75]

One of the reasons I ask is that the parish I just moved to is using glass chalices. I don’t know if it would be appropriate if I offered to buy 4 gold plated chalices- Would there be any opposition and why?

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

Fast_ed75:

One of the reasons I ask is that the parish I just moved to is using glass chalices. I don’t know if it would be appropriate if I offered to buy 4 gold plated chalices- Would there be any opposition and why?

There shouldn’t be particularly as glass chalices should not be used at all.

 

[rfk]

Fast_ed75:

In going to different parishes I am perplexed over the vessels used for the precious blood. So many are distributing it in water goblets that resemble something found on the shelf at Wal-Mart.

Strictly forbidden. From Redemptionis Sacramentum: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

1. Sacred Vessels

[117.] 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]

It is also interesting to observe how the document is signed:

This Instruction, 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, was approved by the same Pontiff on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19 March 2004, and he ordered it to be published and to be observed immediately by all concerned.

 

[S_Corda]

rfk:

Strictly forbidden. From Redemptionis Sacramentum: On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

Thanks for posting that. I thought glass chalices were not to be used, then I started wondering when I read this (emphasis added) in GIRM: ( usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter6.htm )
GIRM:

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.

2.    **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.

3.    **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.

(see also, this in the “Ask An Apologist” thread :
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=3343 )

 

[Mike_C]

Yes, I agree. One can find an inexpensive gold chalice for about $90-100. I’ve seen the ceramic chalices go for about $400!!! So how is the cheaper material “cheaper”? No, they no only care, priests and probably the Liturgy Committee is behind this, they don’t BELIEVE.

I attended a Mass one time where the Sacred Hosts were distributed by what appeared to be a cigar humidor.

I attended a Mass where the priest used a clear glass bowl to offer the hosts at the offertory, then, at Communion time distributed them in what appeard to be “doggie bowls” (plastic bows, sloped on the sides). but some people believe that there are no liturgical abuses, and this type of Mass is more reverent than the “Old Mass”

 

[baltobetsy]

I don’t think it’s so much a matter of lack of belief, as a misguided attempt at living the virtue of poverty. I once heard a complaint that priests drink from gold chalices - completely missing the point that the chalice contains the body and blood of Christ. So the backlash from this kind of statement gives us the ugly, cheap stuff that started appearing in our churches back in the 60’s and 70’s - burlap, ceramics, etc. The appointments in our churches are supposedly a reflection of our humility, our unworthiness, our being “earthen vessels” and “broken cisterns.” We are “repenting” for the material wealth of the Church by covering it up and using common materials for sacred vessels. Happily, I think this trend has come near to its natural end - letters like Redemptionis Sacramentum are making it clear that this kind of thing is not appropriate, and people of good will are making the needed corrections.

There’s a parallel in popular culture - it’s like the brief foray into business casual dress in the last few years - people are realizing that casual dress is not conducive to creating the atmosphere that is necessary for high-level business transactions, and the trend is returning to formal business dress.

I attended a Catholic college in the 70’s, where the beautiful chapel had just been “renovated” by covering everything with soundproof fabric, removing statuary - generally making everything plain and ugly. A couple of years ago, an alumna gave a gift to the college for the purpose of restoring the chapel to its original glory, and this is now complete. I’m sure this kind of thing is happening all over the country, slowly but surely restoring the sacred spaces to what they should be to honor our Lord.

Things will get better.

Betsy

 

[misericordie]

T.A.Stobie:

There shouldn’t be particularly as glass chalices should not be used at all.

I agree totally. This is in the LATEST document from the Vatican, written by Cardinal Arinze’, but the situation is that many pastors throughout catholic parishes HERE IN THE USA (seems like the church here thinks it is apart from Rome, hence anything from the Vatican does not apply here) have just decided that the document is nothing that they will continue doing their own thing, which includes using wine glasses which are from 99 cents stores(glass/crystal) and worse, CLAY or wooden “chalices”. You see, what really is happening is that the Vatican can send shiploads of documents, and even encyclicals, but if no American Bishop is willing to ENFORCE them, these are a waste of time.
COURAGE!!! This is what is needed, and it IS found, in about three American Catholic Dioceses(only).

 

[Lizard]

My parish used lead crystal glasses --lovely, and not cheap – before Redemptionis Sacramentum came out, and I never thought much about them one way or the other. However, now we have gorgeous,solid gold chalices instead. I love them; they seem to have more of an “appropriateness for the sacred” about them, if that makes any sense.

 

[parishminister]

Same in my parish. We used beautiful Waterford crystal goblets, not cheap in any sense of the word…as soon as the document came out, the pastor ordered new silver/pewter chalices to be used, at considerable expense. Most people want to follow the Church’s teaching and do the right and proper thing, though financially it may be a burden for some parishes. Wouldn’t it be great if a fund could be created to help poor parishes be able to purchase appropriate vessels to hold our Lord’s precious Body and Blood? Maybe we could start one through this website somehow and everyone who participates in the forums could donate money to help? That would be awesome and constructive…does anyone know how we might be able to get that going?

Peace…