Grace Thompson
The chalice is a sacred vessel used by Catholic priests to consecrate and consume wine during the Eucharist. According to Catholic liturgy, the chalice must be made of precious metals, preferably gold or silver, with the inside of the cup always being made of or coated in precious metal. This is because the cup comes into contact with the blood of Christ during the Eucharist. While the Vatican has issued directives sanctioning the use of metals and prohibiting breakable materials, some parishes continue to use glass or ceramic cups for distributing the Eucharist to the congregation. The priest's chalice is typically made up of three parts: the foot, the stem, and the cup, with the foot being larger than the cup to provide stability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Precious metals such as gold, silver, brass, or pewter |
| Shape | Countersunk cup with foot, stem, and cup |
| Height | Varies, typically between 12-28 cm |
| Decoration | Neo-Gothic or Baroque, symbols recalling Eucharist and Passion |
| Foot | Round, polygonal, or complex shape |
| Stem | Proportional to other elements, may have a knop |
| Cup | Not too deep, a bit long where the priest will lay their lips |
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What You'll Learn
Chalices must be made of precious metals
The Catholic Church has strict rules regarding the materials that are appropriate for use in chalices. The Vatican has issued a directive sanctioning metal and prohibiting breakable materials, including crystal and ceramic.
The preference is for precious metals, with liturgical rules imposing that at least the inside of the chalice cup is made of gold or silver, or at least gilt on the inside. This is because it is destined to touch Christ's Blood or Body. It is forbidden to use a non-noble metal for the cup, which may break or ruin easily, such as clay, bronze, glass, or wood. Brass is accepted, even though it is not a noble metal, as long as the internal gilt is replaced when oxidation begins.
The use of precious metals for chalices is a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church. Historical records from the early Church mention chalices made of gold and silver. For example, an inventory from a church in Cirta in 303 AD lists "two gold chalices, six silver chalices..."
In the Middle Ages, much legislation was devoted to securing that chalices be made of appropriate materials. A decree included in the "Corpus Juris" states that "the chalice of the Lord, together with the paten, if not gold, must be entirely made of silver". It further specifies that "the chalice must not be made of brass or copper, because it generates rust... And let no one presume to say Mass with a chalice of wood or glass."
Today, chalices continue to be made of precious metals such as gold and silver, with intricate designs and decorations. They are often handcrafted by skilled artisans, reflecting the reverence and importance placed on the chalice in Catholic liturgy.
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Breakable materials are prohibited
The Vatican has issued a directive that metal is sanctioned for use in chalices, while breakable materials (including crystal and ceramic) are prohibited. This is because the chalice is destined to touch Christ's Blood or Body, and breakable materials may ruin easily.
The existing law of the Church states that the chalice, or at least the cup of it, must be made of gold or silver. If the chalice is made of silver, the bowl must be gilt on the inside. In circumstances of great poverty or persecution, a chalice made of pewter may be permitted, but the bowl must be gilt.
In the past, chalices were made of a variety of materials, including gold, silver, wood, clay, glass, lead, and tin. The evolution of chalice materials and styles has been influenced by legislation, liturgical rules, and the desire to give the best in worship to God.
Today, liturgical rules impose that at least the inside of the chalice cup is made of a precious metal, such as gold or silver, or at least gilt on the inside. Brass is also accepted, provided that the internal gilt is replaced when oxidation begins. The material used for the stem, knop, and foot is considered less important.
While most parishes use metal chalices for priests, some parishes use glass or ceramic cups for extraordinary Eucharistic ministers when distributing the Precious Blood. This inconsistency has led to some priests hoping that the rule prohibiting breakable materials will be relaxed or changed.
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Gold and silver are commonly used
The use of gold and silver for chalices dates back to the early ages of the Church. For example, in the year 303, at the beginning of Emperor Diocletian's final persecution of Christians, a delegation of Roman government officials visited the church in Cirta in Numidia (present-day Constantine in Algeria) and found two gold chalices and six silver chalices. In the sixth and seventh centuries, pilgrims to Jerusalem believed that the actual chalice from the Last Supper was still venerated in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Antoninus of Piacenza refers to this chalice as made of onyx, while Adamnan, less than a century later, describes it as a "silver cup holding the measure of a Gallic sextarius and with two opposite handles".
The Liber Pontificalis, a list of biographical notes about the Popes who seated on the Papal throne until the end of the IX century, also mentions priest chalices made of gold and silver. These chalices were often cantilevered or chiseled and ornated with pearls and gems.
Today, liturgical chalices are still commonly made of gold and silver, with other materials like brass, pewter, or wood sometimes used in circumstances of great poverty or in times of persecution.
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Brass is acceptable, but not noble
The Catholic Church has strict rules regarding the materials that are appropriate for use in chalices. According to liturgical rules, the inside of the chalice cup must be made of a precious metal such as gold or silver, or at least gilt on the inside. This is because the chalice is destined to touch Christ's Blood or Body. It is forbidden to use a non-noble metal for the cup, such as clay, bronze, glass, or wood, as these materials may break or ruin easily.
However, brass is acceptable, despite not being considered a noble metal. Brass is resistant and does not break easily, making it a suitable material for chalices. Nevertheless, the Vatican has issued a directive that metal is sanctioned for chalices, while breakable materials, including crystal and ceramic, are prohibited. This directive has caused some inconsistency in parishes, as many continue to use glass or ceramic cups for extraordinary Eucharistic ministers, while the priest uses a metal cup.
The preference for precious metals in chalices has a long history. In the early ages of the Church, chalices were made of wood, but over time, legislation was devoted to ensuring that chalices were made of more suitable materials. The Council of Celchyth (Chelsea) forbade the use of chalices made of horn, and the canons passed under King Edgar promoted the use of gold chalices.
Today, chalices made of brass are available from historical Italian workshops specializing in sacred furnishings. These chalices are often handmade and feature modern or traditional styles, sometimes with additional finishes such as gold or silver plating. While brass is acceptable, it is important to note that the internal gilt must be replaced when oxidation begins to ensure the chalice remains in suitable condition for liturgical use.
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Chalices have historically been made from a variety of materials
The preference for precious metals in chalices is rooted in the belief that the chalice symbolises the Precious Blood of Christ. This is reflected in the writings of St. Paul: "The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16).
While the specific vessel used by Christ at the Last Supper remains unknown, various historical accounts describe it as being made of onyx or silver. Over time, chalices have been crafted from a range of materials, including gold, silver, wood, lead, tin, clay, glass, brass, and even adorned with pearls and gems.
In more recent times, liturgical rules have emphasised the use of precious metals for the chalice cup, prohibiting the use of breakable materials such as crystal and ceramic. However, there is some flexibility, with the General Instruction of the Roman Missal in the U.S. allowing for sacred vessels to be made from solid materials considered precious or noble in specific regions, such as ebony or other harder woods.
The evolution of chalice materials reflects the intersection of religious significance, artistic expression, and practical considerations, resulting in a diverse array of materials used throughout history.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic chalices are made of precious metals such as gold or silver. The use of breakable materials like crystal and ceramic is prohibited.
The chalice is considered the most sacred vessel as it is synonymous with the Precious Blood of Christ. The existing law of the Church states that the cup of the chalice must be made of gold or silver. If silver, the bowl must be gilt on the inside. In circumstances of poverty or persecution, pewter may be used, but the bowl must be gilt.
In 303, during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, a delegation of Roman government officials requested books and other church property from the church in Cirta, Algeria. They found two gold chalices and six silver chalices.
The Liber Pontificalis, a list of biographical notes about Popes until the end of the 9th century, mentions "chalices" or "scyphi" made of non-precious materials. These were used for the consecration of wine, the distribution of Eucharist, or as votive decors.
