Case 15. Altar Furniture

Caius, a priest, had charge of a certain mission in England. When the Bishop visited that mission, he found some things, as it seemed to him, less conformable to ecclesiastical laws. Among other things, a chasuble of yellow-colored silk thread was used for Mass; other chasubles were made externally of silk mixed with cotton, but internally of alpaca; electric light was attached on either side of the tabernacle and served to give light; and the chalice used for celebrating Mass bore the donor’s name engraved around the foot, with the inscription “Pray for the happy condition of N.” added. In the decree of visitation the Bishop prescribed that these things were to be reformed according to the rubrics unless Caius could allege approved authors who permitted them. Hence Caius asks:

1. From what material must chasubles be made?

2. Must the color of vestments for Mass be observed under pain of sin?

3. What is prescribed concerning altar lights?

4. What is to be said of the case?

1. Of what material should the chasuble be made?

Chasubles should be of silk, or silver or gold cloth, although the cross and other ornaments on them may be of linen, wool, or cotton.¹

1 Gasparri, De SS. Eucharistia, n. 692.

1 Génicot, Theol. Moral. Institutionee, vol. II, p. 246.

2. Is the color of the vestments a matter of precept?

Yes, of light precept, according to St. Alphonsus, VI,

3. What is prescribed about the lights of the altar? There should be two wax lights, or more according to the quality of the Mass, on the altar while Mass is being said. Besides these, no lights should be placed on the altar, though nothing prevents lamps, gas, or the electric light, from being used in the church to give light; but any theatrical effect should be avoided.¹

4. The case. Yellow vestments have often been forbidden and they should not be used.²

2 Gasparri, De SS. Eucharistia, n. 693.

Chasubles of silk mixed with cotton should not be used; unless the cotton appears only in the ornaments and accessories. The Sacred Congregation of Rites answered (23 March, 1882) that lining of cotton or linen or wool, and we may add alpaca, for silk chasubles could be tolerated in poor churches.

The electric light on the tabernacle is forbidden (S. R. C. 13 April, 1883).

There is nothing reprehensible in the inscription on the chalice.³

3 Ibid., n. 749.