Talks on the Sacramentals, by Msgr Arthur Tonne - Vessels

"Thou shalt take the oil of unction and anoint the tabernacle with its vessels, that they may be sanctified." Exodus, 50:9.

Back in 1912 there were labor troubles in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The National Guard was called to control the situation. Chaplain of the Guard was Monsignor Dunigan, who said Mass daily for the Catholic soldiers.

One morning he noticed two elderly Indians in the back row close to the wall. Next morning they took seats a little closer to the altar. Next morning they were still closer. They never took their eyes off the priest. Finally they came to the sacristy after Mass and asked Monsignor Dunigan if he was the same kind of priest as the fathers who had come to the Indians long ago. Was his Church the same Church as theirs? When he assured them that he was the same kind of priest, they asked him to go with them alone into the woods. They had a treasure which they wanted to turn over to him.

They stopped under a large tree, as one Indian explained that many years before Father Marquette had to leave them to go to an unfriendly group of Indians. Before leaving he called the elders of the tribe and entrusted to them his chalice, which was in a case of cypress wood. If he returned, well and good. If not, they were to guard it with their lives until they could hand it over to some father of his Church.

The heroic missionary did not return. That was in 1675. For the next 237 years those Indians kept their treasure. The chief would appoint three trustworthy men who alone would know where the chalice was buried. When one died, the chief appointed another three, who would hide it anew. Thus the chalice was kept for over two centuries. Monsignor Dunigan gladly took charge of the precious treasure.

The faithful respect of those Indians for the chalice which the saintly and courageous Father Marquette had used, is a model for the respect which you and I must have for the chalice and all the other sacred vessels in which we keep the Blessed Sacrament. Those vessels, whether consecrated or blessed, are sacramentals. The principal containers for the Eucharist are six: the chalice, the ciborium, the paten, the monstrance, the lunula, and the pyx. We would like to say a word about them:

1. The most sacred and important of all is the chalice, the cup in which the Precious Blood is consecrated during Mass. The priest uses a chalice because our Lord used one at the Last Supper. In the early days of Christianity chalices were often made of glass, crystal, or some precious stone. A chalice is usually from eight to eleven inches high. It consists of a wide base, a stem with a knob at the middle, and a cup. The whole may be of gold or silver, or the cup only. If the church is poor, the cup may be of inferior metal. In every case, however, at least the interior of the cup must be gold-plated. It must be consecrated by the bishop.

2. The paten is a round, saucer-like dish of the same material as the chalice. It is used to hold the bread at the Offertory, and later to hold the Sacred Host. At least its upper surface must be gold- plated. It also must be consecrated by the bishop.

A Communion paten is held under the chin of the communicant, in case some pieces might fall. It does not require a blessing.

3. The ciborium is a vessel which contains the small Hosts used for the Communion of the people. The word 'ciborium' is from the Latin word 'cibus' which means food. The ciborium contains the Food of life. It is shaped like a chalice, but usually larger. The interior is gold-plated. It must be blessed.

4. The monstrance is used to hold the Host during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and in processions. The main part is made up of rays in a circle, coming forth from the center where the Sacred Host is encased. The rays represent beautifully the shafts of love coming from our Lord in the Eucharist to the whole, round world. They also represent the limitless graces that come to us from the Eucharist.

The word monstrance is from the Latin 'monstrare' which means to show. It is sometimes called the ostensorium, from the Latin word which also means to show. The idea is that this vessel shows the Lord to those who are present.

5. In the center of the monstrance is a receptacle called the luna or lunula. Luna is the Latin for moon. Lunula means little moon. This round receptacle is designed to hold the large Host. It is often glass-encased, or it may be a gold clip which holds the Host within the permanent glass case in the center of the monstrance. This is inserted at the beginning and removed at the close of Benediction.

6. The pyx is a small vessel used in carrying Communion to the sick. It is really a small ciborium, shaped like a watch case. The word pyx is from the Latin 'pyxis' which means a box. This pyx, which can hold several Hosts, is kept in a silk-lined case called a burse, with a corporal and purificator.

The ciborium, pyx and lunula are blessed. In our country this may be done by a priest.

In general any and all of these sacred vessels must not be touched by anyone but a priest or a deacon, except in serious necessity. If the vessel is empty it may be handled by clerics even though not in sacred orders, and by those who have obtained permission, such as those who repair and plate these articles. All others should use a cloth to prevent direct contact.

From all this we can see the reverent regard we have for these sacred vessels. As the Indians treasured the chalice of Father Marquette for two hundred years, so must we treasure the vessels of the altar all the days of our life. Church support is one means of showing your respect for the vessels you help to procure.

Above all, you are a vessel, a sacred vessel, when you receive Holy Communion. Regard your body as something sacred. It will contain our Lord. Amen.