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The Next Crusade
Blogged by James Preece on 5th October 2009
A few short months ago in July I did a blog entry entitled The Last Crusade in which I highlighted the fact that Terence Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough was using earthenware communion vessels despite the fact that he had himself pointed out to another priest the need to acquire some new chalices "in order to enhance and add even more dignity to the liturgy."
I'm pleased to say that not long after that blog entry Bishop Drainey did indeed acquire some proper chalices and very nice they are too...
We will never know of course, whether it was my blogging that lead Bishop Drainey to acquire the new chalices. The official position is to scoff at the thought that any Bishop might care what is said on some blog (you have to sort of spit as you say the word 'blog' to get the full effect) but then with at least three different computers visiting regularly from our Diocesan Curial Offices (not to mention their friends in York) who knows... Maybe Bishop Drainey heard the Holy Father's advice to "confront the challenges which arise from the new digital culture" or maybe he just got around to something he intended to do all along.
I don't really mind. The important thing is that the beauty of our Eucharistic celebrations has been improved and the dignity of the sacrament affirmed. I'm happy.
So is that the end of it?
No actually. Because aside from the materials used to make the sacred vessles used at communion, Redemptionis Sacramentum contains another arguably more important statement...
The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.
Redemptionis Sacramentum 93
The Communion-plate is held under the host (usually by an altar server) so as to collect any crumbs or fragments that may fall from it. Here's a picture of the Pope using one...
And here is a picture of Bishop Drainey not using one...
I don't think it's fair to be too hard on the Bishop, the use of the communion plate has been all but abolished across England and Wales and maybe he just doesn't know (Bishops have a lot on their minds, I'm sure).
I do think it's a worthy and noble thing to campaign for. The teaching of Redemptionis Sacramentum and the the clear example of Pope Benedict are clear: "The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained."
Reader Comments
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berenike said...
aj, yes, there was a terrible row one place I was at because some priests refused to have servers with patens, even though there were many servers. And the servers were hugely upset, because they knew from Masses where the paten was used how many crumbs of the Host were one it at the end of Communion. And didn't want to continue serving at those Masses where the patens were not used. (to say nothing of glass jugs for consecrating the Precious Blood). It was all a bit sad. They were very committed religious, those priests, great guys. Why would they want to risk the Precious Blood going all over the place? Or not prevent bits of consecrated Host falling to the (light-coloured) floor?
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berenike said...
Ooo. A boo. Why? Do explain, dear boo-er. I didn't think this one of my Nasty Unreasonable Mere Venting rants. I would really like to know what is boo-able about it!
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James said...
There are a couple of IP addresses that come by every day or so and indiscriminately boo everything I write and anybody who agrees with me. I think they are doing it indiscriminately, because a lot of things get boo-d in quite a short space of time and I can't imagine a lot of reading is going on.
You probably got hit by one of those.
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Ella said...
It is true... a picture of Leona in the park got booed once! But then maybe they don't like parks... or children?
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Mark Dobson said...
How sweet!
There are people taking time out of their lives to come to your site simply to disagree with you, presumably because your opinions are so terribly unimportant.
Bless.
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Hestor said...
Quoting all the official documents to these bishops will do nothing - just like it has done nothing for the last 30 years or so. These bishops believe in post conciliar collegiality, where each bishop is to be held up as a pope in their own diocese. Nothing that the Pope says ever gets down and imposed through the Bishops Conferences - certainly not through our own.
You could always come to the Annual Rosary Crusade this Saturday in London, to help us make reparation for all the offences to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. That might grant the grace to some of these shepherds to realise where they're going.
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David Keen said...
Not being a Catholic, I don't get why this is so important?
In the CofE we're encouraged to use precious metals rather than earthenware because it reduces the risk of spreading germs via the chalice. I'm sure there's a theological principal too!
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Mark Dobson said...
Every now and then, the fact that there's a Vatican web-site comes in handy:
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html#Chapter%20V
"3. Sacred Vessels
It is strictly required, however, that such materials be truly noble in the common estimation within a given region, so that honour will be given to the Lord by their use, and all risk of diminishing the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharistic species in the eyes of the faithful will be avoided. Reprobated, therefore, is any practice of using for the celebration of Mass common vessels, or others lacking in quality, or devoid of all artistic merit or which are mere containers, as also other vessels made from glass, earthenware, clay, or other materials that break easily."
In brief, to honour the Lord and prevent spillages.
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