This is the chalice which I was given to use for Mass a week ago in Helsinki. I emailed Marko Tervaportti for some further information about it and he has kindly replied with the information that it was made in Paris, probably around 1870 and is thought to be a gift from the Countess Leopoldina Cicogna (from Milan) who brought it from France together with many other objects, including another precious chalice with standing figures of the four Apostles, and the Way of the Cross which still hangs from the walls of the Cathedral.The Emperor, Czar Alexander II, gave permission for the building of St Henry's Cathedral at the request of Leopoldina's husband, Count Berg.
Here is a close-up of the base of the chalice in which you can see the painted glass medallion of Saint Joseph and Our Blessed Lady. The third, hidden from view, is a medallion of the crucifixion. Following the advice of J B O'Connell, I used this to orient the chalice whilst saying Mass so that I knew to drink the ablution from the same side of the chalice as that from which I had received Holy Communion. Just another of those little details that one can also observe when celebrating the Novus Ordo.
5 comments:
FWIW, this may seem very mundane, but with the Federal Reserve of the United States endeavoring to monetize our huge debt and supply enough liquidity to keep the credit markets afloat, the price of gold and silver can go to practically any number-numbers that would seem ridiculous and unimaginable to us now. In other words gold and silver are being remonetized, which puts all the chalices and altar service wrought in the noble metals at graver and graver risk of theft. When the oil exporters ask for payment in gold to escape the perils of collapsing currencies, as one of my gurus says, the price of gold is not merely going through the roof, but to the moon. When that happens our churches risk the same sort of despoilation that happened at the Reformation. Chalices in the noble metals are correct, but will sooner or later offer serious temptations to sacrilege if present trends continue. MHO
WOW!!
Absolutely stunning, Father.
Fr Mildew announces that he is now resuming posting as of today April lst although he is still expecting to have an operation an angiogram very soon.
It is quite, quite beautiful.
How any translator could call this a "cup" is beyond my comprehension.
Post a Comment