Sacred Vessels with Accessories

II. Real sacrilege is committed:

1. By unworthily treating things sacred by their nature, or consecrated or blessed things. To this are referred: 1. invalid or unworthy administration and reception of the sacraments; 2. profanation of relics (cf. can. 1289, § 2), altars, images of the Saints, sacred oils, etc.; 3. illicit touching of the Holy Eucharist, of sacred vessels, etc. (cf. treatise on the Holy Eucharist and can. 1306); 4. abuse of Sacred Scripture, by twisting its words to an impious or obscene sense (St. Alphonsus, III, 40).

2. By applying to a profane use things sacred by their nature, or consecrated things, or things blessed by a constitutive blessing (St. Alphonsus, loc. cit.; cf. can. 1150). This nevertheless seems lawful if they have lost their consecration or blessing; canon 1305 explains when this occurs.

3. By stealing sacred things, for example relics or ecclesiastical goods, provided these already belong to the dominion of the Church; otherwise if they are only owed but have not yet been handed over (St. Alphonsus, III, 42, 45, 532).

4. By exchanging a spiritual thing for a temporal price. This is real sacrilege, which is called simony; but it will be treated specifically.

Corollary. The circumstance of time induces a grave sin of sacrilege only insofar as the action, from the sense of the faithful and of the Church, involves an extraordinary repugnance with the mystery which is celebrated at some time, as if someone on Good Friday were to institute solemn banquets furnished with meats (St. Alphonsus, III, 46, 273).

The following are required:

I. Chalice and paten; both of which must be consecrated.¹

1. Matter. The chalice must be gold or silver, at least as regards the cup;² by reason of poverty one made of tin is permitted,³ and, under certain conditions, one made of aluminum mixed with other metals;⁴ but not one of bronze, glass, or wood. The cup, unless it is gold, must be gilded under grave obligation (canon 1305, § 2). As regards the form of the chalice, the Sacred Congregation of Rites⁵ prescribed: "let them not differ from the traditional forms, because of the danger of spilling the sacred species and of exciting astonishment."

The paten should be of the same material as the chalice,⁶ and unless it is gold, it must be gilded under grave obligation (canon 1305, § 2).

2. Consecration. Chalices and patens can be consecrated by: 1. Cardinals (canon 239, § 1, 20); 2. bishops (canon 1147, § 1); 3. vicars and prefects apostolic, but if they lack the episcopal character, only within the limits of their territory and while their office endures (canon 294, § 2); 4. abbots and prelates nullius, but if they are not adorned with the episcopal character, only for their churches (canon 323, § 2).

a) They lose consecration: 1. if they have undergone such injuries or changes that they have lost their former form and are no longer held suitable for their uses (canon 1305, § 1, 1), for example when a chalice is pierced in the bottom or near the bottom; when the cup is separated from the foot, unless the chalice is turnable; when it is broken or struck in such a way that it can no longer decently serve the sacrifice. They lose consecration, 2. if they have been used for indecorous uses or exposed to public sale (canon 1305, § 1, 2).

b) They do not lose consecration because of the wearing away or renewal of the gilding, with the grave obligation of gilding them again remaining safe, however, in the former case (canon 1305, § 2).

3. It is a grave sin to celebrate without a chalice or paten, likewise without consecrated ones, likewise with a chalice or paten made from prohibited material or not gilded (cf. canon 1305, § 2).

4. It is an abuse to execrate sacred vessels before they are handed over to an artisan to be repaired or recast.⁷

¹ Roman Missal, Rite to be observed, title I, n. 1.

² Roman Missal, loc. cit.

³ Roman Missal, De defectibus, title X, n. 1.

⁴ Sacred Congregation of Rites, 9 December 1866 (Acta Sanctae Sedis VI, p. 590).

⁵ Sacred Congregation of Rites, 30 June 1922 (Acta Apostolicae Sedis 1922, p. 437).

⁶ Roman Missal, Rite to be observed, title I, n. 1; De defectibus, title X, n. 1.

⁷ Sacred Congregation of Rites, 20 April 1822, n. 2620.

II. A blessed corporal.¹ It must be made of linen or hemp.² It is a grave sin to celebrate: 1. without a corporal; 2. without a blessed corporal; 3. with an enormously unclean corporal (St. Alphonsus, VI, 387). Grave necessity of celebrating excuses, for example so that the people may hear a Mass of precept. If it is not very unclean, strange priests are excused.

¹ Roman Missal, Rite to be observed, title I, n. 1.

² Sacred Congregation of Rites, 18 May 1819, n. 2600. From this decree it is clear that linen and hemp are equated.

III. A blessed pall,¹ made of linen or hemp; nevertheless it is lawful to use a pall covered on the upper part with silk, or with gold or silver interwoven and embroidered, provided the upper material is not black and does not represent signs of death.²

To the question: "From the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites n. 3832, Resolution of Doubts, 17 July 1894, ad IV, it is permitted that the chalice pall on the upper part be covered with silk cloth, or with gold or silver, and embroidered, provided that the linen pall joined beneath covers the chalice and that the upper part is not black nor with any sign of death. It is asked: Can this pall joined beneath be a linen cloth furnished with a cross and sewn beneath, after the manner of a pall, and not removable?" the Sacred Congregation of Rites responded: "Negative, and the pall joined beneath, properly so called, should be linen, clean, and easily removable."³

The pall, and likewise its blessing, are sufficiently probably prescribed only under light obligation. If it is lacking, the chalice should be covered with the purificator, burse, or corporal (St. Alphonsus, VI, 388).

¹ Roman Missal, Rite to be observed, title I, n. 1.

² Roman Missal, Rite to be observed, loc. cit., compared with Sacred Congregation of Rites, 17 July 1894, ad 4, n. 3832.

³ 24 November 1905, n. 4174.

IV. A purificator; this can be blessed, but need not be.¹ If a purificator cannot easily be had, in its place a small towel can be used, which afterward is not to be used for another use (St. Alphonsus, VI, 389).

¹ Sacred Congregation of Rites, 7 September 1816, n. 2572, ad XII.

V. The chalice veil is required under venial sin; it can be blessed, but need not be.¹ If it is not had, it is lawful to celebrate without it (St. Alphonsus, VI, 395).

¹ Roman Missal, General Rubrics, title 20.

VI. The burse and hand towel, which likewise can be blessed, but need not be.¹ It is fitting to use these (St. Alphonsus, VI, 390).

¹ Sacred Congregation of Rites, 28 April 1866, n. 3149.

VII. A small spoon, by which water is placed into the chalice, can be used. It does not need a blessing, and can be made from any material.

VIII. Cruets per se must be glass,¹ but by legitimate custom gold and silver ones are permitted;² it is fitting to bless them.

¹ Roman Missal, Rite to be observed, title I, n. 1.

² Roman Missal, loc. cit.

IX. A little bell, by which a sign is given, is prescribed under venial sin.

Note 1. The blessings about which there was mention above can be imparted by the same persons who enjoy the faculty of blessing sacred vestments (n. 266).

Note 2. Some have erroneously judged that vessels and other things do not need consecration or blessing if they have been used in the celebration of the sacrifice before they were consecrated or blessed (St. Alphonsus, VI, 380).

Question 1. To whom is it lawful to touch sacred vessels and sacred linens?

Response 1. While they contain the Holy Eucharist, they are licitly touched only by priests and deacons. To others this is prohibited under grave sin, except in a case of necessity.

Response 2. While they do not actually contain the Holy Eucharist, canon 1306, § 1 should be considered: "Care should be taken that the chalice with the paten, and before washing the purificators, palls, and corporals which have been used in the sacrifice of the Mass, not be touched except by clerics or by those who have custody of them."

The canon regards: 1. chalices and patens, as soon as they have been consecrated; 2. purificators, palls, and corporals that have been used and not afterward washed; 3. by parity of reason, ciboria and lunules that have been used, that is, after they have in fact touched the Holy Eucharist; but not ostensories, since they do not immediately touch the Holy Eucharist.

The canon permits touching: 1. to clerics; 2. to those who have custody of these things, such as sacristans, both men and women. Nevertheless, to others it is prohibited at most under venial sin; and a just cause excuses (St. Alphonsus, VI, 382).

Question 2. What things are to be observed as regards the washing of linens used in Mass?

Response. Three washings are prescribed. The first cannot be done except by a cleric constituted in major orders. The second and third, however, can also be done by laypersons. The water of the first washing should be put into the sacrarium or, if this is lacking, into the fire (canon 1306, § 2). For the rest, the first washing is prohibited at most under venial sin, so that a reasonable cause excuses (St. Alphonsus, VI, 387).

Can sacred vessels and vestments, and can churches, be converted to profane use? - R. To the first. Affirmative, if the thing is totally changed in such a way that it is reduced to common material; for example, if a chalice by fire or iron is made a mass of silver. But otherwise, if it is not totally changed. Hence it is not permitted to repair profane clothing from an old chasuble, nor to apply the ornaments of priests to profane uses. But otherwise concerning those things which are not blessed, such as carpets and candlesticks. "To use sacred vestments, even worn-out ones, for profane uses is mortal. Yet sacred vestments employed in profane uses do not lose their blessing." L. l. 6, n. 376. R. To the second. Likewise a consecrated church is not to be transferred to profane uses unless it has been profaned, has ceased to be a church, and the Apostolic approval is present. L. 31; l. 6, n. 371; S. Th. 2. 2, q. 100, a. 4 ad 2; 3 p., q. 83, a. 3 ad 3.

To whom is it licit to touch sacred vessels? - To all and only clerics without special license; but it is venial, and if a cause is present, not even venial. This is also granted to regular lay sacristans, from the privilege of Sixtus IV, and also to nuns who are sacristans, from communication of privileges; likewise by custom and from necessity to lay oblates of more recent Congregations of priests who are sacristans, and to all who serve churches in clerical habit. The first washing of palls, corporals, and purificators is to be done by a sacred person, and it is the proper office of the subdeacon. The second and third washing can also be done by laypersons. The water of the washing is to be thrown into the sacrarium. C. Nemo 40, de Consecr., D. 1; Roman Pontifical, de Ordinat. subdiac.; S. R. C., 12 Sept. 1857, ad 26, n. 3059; L. l. 6, n. 387.

But it is permitted to all to touch other sacred things, of which sort are, for example, Agnus Dei medals, at least from present custom; relics of Saints, and consequently to carry them hanging from the neck; sacred ornaments, except those which immediately touch the Holy Eucharist. C. 41, de Consecr., Dist. 1; L. 48; l. 6, nn. 94, 382; l. 7, n. 340; E. M. Clerics initiated with first tonsure only can touch sacred vessels and sacred linens, and prepare the chalice in the sacristy, without special indult. S. R. C., 23 Nov. 1905, ad 1.

A deacon by reason of his ministry can, even when priests are present and outside the case of necessity, carry the Most Holy Sacrament from one altar to another. S. R. C., 23 Nov. 1906, ad 3. But to others, even subdeacons, it is not permitted to touch sacred vessels containing the Most Holy Sacrament, ibid.

Must the ciborium be consecrated and silver? - Resp. To the first: It need not necessarily be consecrated, but it suffices that it be blessed. This is clear from the Roman Ritual, in which the blessing of the pyx is noted among those things which do not need anointing with chrism. Likewise from the Roman Pontifical, where only the blessing of the pyx is had. - Hence it is altogether fitting that even the pyx, or ciborium, and the luna, or little sphere of the monstrance, and whatever containing vessel, and one immediately touching the Eucharist, and also the small vessel containing chrism, be blessed. But whether this is necessary, several and grave doctors, not improbably from St. Alphonsus, deny; and it is not necessary, they add, to place on the pyx a linen vessel blessed with the blessing of the corporal. The reason is that there is nowhere an expressed precept concerning this; nor does the Pontifical make us certain, since blessings are assigned there also for bells and cases of relics, which nevertheless are blessed not by precept, but only by fittingness. But others more probably from St. Alphonsus affirm that the pyx must be blessed by precept, because it is more conformable to the Rubric and to reason, and therefore in practice it is to be advised. L. 248, 383-385; St. Thomas 3 p., q. 82, a. 3; Rubr. Missal. t. 2, n. 3.

Resp. To the second: Nothing is established by common law. And indeed it would seem to have to be equated with the chalice and paten, which must be of gold or silver, or at least of tin, if the Church is very poor. But it cannot be of copper, nor of wood, or glass, etc. De Consecr., Dist. 1, c. 45. For the rest, if the sacred vessels are not of gold, they must be gilded inside. S. R. C., Aug. 31, 1867, n. 3162, responded that a ciborium, or sacred pyx, of gilded copper can be permitted, likewise a monstrance (ostensorium) and lunula, which embraces the sacred host to be shown. Cf. 645; St. Thomas 3 p., q. 83, a. 3 ad 6; E. M.

How are a church, altar, and sacred vessels execrated, and how are they rendered fit again for worship? - "Execration is said to occur when a sacred thing loses its consecration, so that it must be consecrated anew, which happens when it is so destroyed that it loses its form and use." L. 368. - Now a church is judged to be execrated when it falls down or is destroyed totally or for the greatest part, so that it must be built anew, at least for the greater part. S. R. C., Aug. 31, 1872, n. 3269. "A church is not execrated if one part is destroyed after another. And this even if through intervals of weeks or days the whole church becomes new, because whatever part is added remains consecrated, since the more worthy greater thing draws to itself the less worthy. And this proceeds even if there is an intention of destroying the whole church, because that intention does not prevent the consecration from enduring. Nor if the roof falls, because the consecration is in the walls." L. 368. Likewise a church is not execrated if the whole coating of the walls, commonly intonaco, is removed even at once. For the consecration adheres to the whole church. S. R. C., May 4, 1882, n. 3545; May 19, 1896, n. 3907. - An execrated church must again be blessed or consecrated, according to the rite and form prescribed for the blessing or consecration of churches.

A fixed altar, whose mensa must consist of one and entire stone, loses consecration when the mensa or upper stone is removed from its support. S. R. C., May 15, 1819, n. 2599; May 19, 1896, n. 3907; Feb. 12, 1897, n. 3947; Nov. 10, 1906. Altars, whether portable or fixed, lose their consecration through an enormous fracture, or through violation of the tomb in which the sacred Relics are enclosed, or through the loss of the same Relics. S. R. C., Mar. 14, 1861, n. 3106. Nor does it suffice to bury other authentic Relics in them; rather, the altars must be consecrated again. S. R. C., Dec. 7, 1844, n. 2880.

Sacred vessels and other consecrated things are execrated when they lose their form and can no longer serve their use. Moreover, "the chalice and paten lose their consecration through new gilding, and thus they need a new consecration." S. R. C., June 14, 1845, n. 2889. A sacred vestment, of which a notable part has been torn, so that it cannot serve its due use, remains execrated, although it is immediately mended, because it has now lost its form. "To use sacred vestments, even worn out ones, for profane uses is mortal. Yet sacred vestments used in profane uses do not lose their blessing." L. 370, 371, 376.

When part of a church is polluted, the entire church is judged polluted, even with the adjacent cemetery. On the contrary, when the cemetery is polluted, the church is not polluted. But when the church is execrated, the cemetery is not therefore execrated, nor do the fixed and entire altars lose consecration. - St. Thomas 3 p., q. 83, a. 3 ad 2, ad 3, ad 4, ad 5; L. 367 seqq.; Suarez disp. 81, sect. 2; E. M.

642 bis. Note: The altar must be stone, consecrated, and adorned with three blessed cloths; this is required under grave sin for the celebration of Mass. - One altar is consecrated fixed, another consecrated portable, and finally another simply fixed by reason of the fixed structure of the whole altar, not by reason of the mensa upon which Mass is celebrated, which can be a portable sacred stone. - For the consecration of a fixed altar it is necessary that the upper mensa be immediately supported by stone columns placed beneath it, S. R. C., May 24, 1901; July 5, 1901, or that, with cement, the stone mensa in which the receptacle of relics is located be joined to the lower base. - For the valid consecration of a fixed or portable altar, it suffices that in the sepulcher there be enclosed Relics of one Martyr and of Confessors or Virgins, or of only one Martyr. S. R. C., Feb. 16, 1906; Apr. 13, 1867. - A fixed altar, otherwise than a portable one, is consecrated with a title, which cannot be changed without pontifical indult, and for which it by no means suffices that it be expressed behind in a glass tablet or in a window. S. R. C., Nov. 10, 1906. - Bodies must be distant from the altar by three cubits; and three cubits are almost one meter in length; and this distance of tombs from the altar suffices. S. R. C., Jan. 12, 1867. - The celebration of Mass cannot be permitted in chapels in which the prescribed distance of the altars from burial niches is not had. S. R. C., Jan. 12, 1899; June 19, 1908. - An altar can be consecrated in a church only blessed. But nothing is to be placed upon the altar which does not pertain to adorning it and to the sacrifice of the Mass. - All privileges of the portable altar granted before the Council of Trent and not afterward confirmed have been removed. - All Bishops, whether diocesan or titular, are honored with the same privilege which the Cardinal Fathers enjoy, namely that not only can they themselves celebrate Mass in the oratory of their own dwelling or on a portable altar wherever they stay, and permit another Mass for their own convenience, but also all the faithful hearing either of those Masses fulfill the precept of the Church as often as needed.

At papal altars, or at the greater altars of the Basilicas of the City, Mass cannot be celebrated by others than the Supreme Pontiff himself except by special faculty of the same Supreme Pontiff. A. A. S. vol. 5, p. 151.

The altar is also to be adorned with a frontal of the color, as far as possible, suitable to the feast of the day or Office. Thus it is prescribed by the Rubric. Hence St. Alphonsus n. 305 judges that it is required under venial sin. But if the altar is of marble, almost everywhere this is not observed, and in many places it is never used.

Must the chalice and paten be consecrated under grave sin or only under light sin; and from what material must they be made? - Resp. To the first.

They must be consecrated under mortal sin, for the precept concerns a grave matter. Gousset 323; L. 379.

Resp. To the second. At least the cup of the chalice must be gold, or silver, or tin, in case of necessity, gilded inside; not bronze or glass. A chalice of aluminum is permitted, with the prescribed conditions observed. But the Decrees of Sept. 1 and Dec. 6, 1866, have been struck from the new Collection. But it cannot be made of brass or copper. An indult was sometimes granted to missionaries of using chalices made from the metal commonly called cuivre blanc, or fashioned from white bronze. - The paten likewise must be of gold, or silver, or another solid metal, but always gilded. Rubr. Rit. serv., etc., tit. 1, de Praepar., etc., n. 1; de Defectibus, tit. 10, n. 1; St. Thomas 3 p., q. 83, a. 2 ad 6; Suppl., q. 37, a. 5; L. 370; Benedict XIV, Const. Etsi pastoralis, May 20, 1742; Const. Imposito nobis, Mar. 29, 1751; cf. 551; E. M.

“Do the chalice and paten lose their consecration through new gilding and thus need a new consecration?—Response. Affirmative: namely, they lose it and need a new consecration, according to the things set forth.” Sacred Congregation of Rites, 14 June 1845, Liège.

It is an abuse that a priest should wish to exsecrate the aforesaid sacred vessels before he again hands them to the artisan to be repaired or recast. Therefore, if there is need, they must be handed to him without the priest attempting to exsecrate them either directly by hand or through the intervention of some instrument. Sacred Congregation of Rites, 23 April 1822, Doubts, response to 1.

“Can a chalice whose gilding alone is renewed be blessed simply, without anointing, by a priest not marked with the episcopal order, or must it in this case also be brought to a Bishop so that it may be blessed by him with anointing?—Response. As regards the first part: Negative; as regards the other part: Affirmative to both.” Sacred Congregation of Rites, 9 May 1857, Esztergom, response to 1.

III. Sacred vessels are necessary for the lawful celebration of Mass, namely a chalice and paten consecrated by the bishop. Necessary also are the linens, namely the corporal, the pall, and the purificator, similarly blessed by the superior. The corporal and the pall ought to be of linen, white, and clean. Upon the altar there must be three cloths, and a cross in the middle of the altar which bears the image of the Crucified, not painted but carved. The sacred vessels cannot be touched by laymen. There is required besides a veil with the burse, which can be touched by all. The host to be consecrated among the Latins ought to be of circular shape, whether large or small. The Greeks use a host of quadrangular shape. No one relying on memory ought to celebrate without a missal. If a missal be lacking, it is enough that he have the Mass written out.