Q I am a semi-professional pottery maker. A friend of mine will be ordained soon and I would like to make a chalice. Do chalices have to be made of a special material or would my gift be acceptable?

A  There are a lot of things that happen now that did not happen in the days of the older religion. It used to be said that a chalice should be made of metal and that it should be plated in silver or gold.

That still is, to my knowledge, more or less the rule.

The first course of action, would be to consult the local chancery office for any local norms in this regard. However, “The General Instruction of the Roman Missal” and Inaestimabile donum (“Instruction on Certain Norms Concerning the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery”) both speak about the proper construction of the chalice.

From “The General Instructions”:

290: “Vessels should be made from materials that are solid and that in the particular region are regarded as noble. The conference of bishops will be the judge in this matter. But preference is to be given to materials that do not break easily or become unstable.”

291: “Chalices and other vessels that serve as receptacles for the blood of the Lord are to have a cup of nonabsorbent material. The base may be of any other solid and worthy material.”

294: “Vessels made from metal should ordinarily be gilded on the inside if the metal is one that rusts; gilding is not necessary if the metal is more precious than gold and does not rust.”

295: “The artist may fashion the sacred vessels in a shape that is in keeping with the culture of each region, provided each type of vessel is suited to the intended liturgical use.”

From Inaestimabile donum, n. 16: “Particular respect and care are due to the sacred vessels, both the chalice and paten for the celebration of the Eucharist, and the ciboria for the Communion of the faithful. The form of the vessels must be appropriate for the liturgical use for which they are meant.

The material must be noble, durable and in every case adapted to sacred use. In this sphere judgment belongs to the Episcopal Conference of the individual regions.

Use is not to be made of simple baskets or other receptacles meant for ordinary use outside the sacred celebrations, nor are the sacred vessels to be of poor quality or lacking any artistic style.”

To help you interpret these requirements, I would first consult the local chancery before fashioning your gift.

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