Dear Catholic Exchange:
Our parish has just started a program using “The Elijah Cup,” in which each week a different family takes home a consecrated chalice (specially bought for this program) which they use to pray for an increase in vocations to the religious life. Have you heard of this and is it legitimate?
Ms. Herring
Dear Ms. Herring,
Greetings in Christ! I hope this response will adequately address your question.
The Church has very specific guidelines concerning the care and use of sacred vessels used during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. However, there is no liturgical rule expressly forbidding or allowing the practice described by the Elijah Cup program. The appropriateness of removing a chalice from the church is the question. At this point it would be most appropriate for you to contact your bishop about this matter. Please refer to our Effective Lay Witness Protocol.
You may wish to express your concern about the potential mishandling of the sacred vessels and guidelines given to the families who take the chalice into their homes.
We spoke with a Church official (also an expert on liturgical matters) about the program. He felt uneasy about the idea of keeping the chalice in a private home, but said it was not forbidden in writing. Perhaps, in the future, there will be a more definitive answer on this issue.
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United in the Faith,
Elizabeth Hruska
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
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