Sacred Vessels & Furnishings

Is it ever appropriate to use baskets and glass vessels and inexpensive vestments in the celebration of the Mass? The governing document for such sacred furnishings is the "General Instruction for the Roman Missal," which is found in the front of every Sacramentary (the altar missal). In #290 it states,

"Vessels should be made from materials that are solid and that in the particular region are regarded as noble. The conference of bishops will be the judge in this matter. But preference is given to materials that do not break easily or become unusable."

Paragraph #291 states,

"Chalices and other vessels that serve as receptacles for the blood of the Lord are to have a cup of non-absorbent material. The base may be of any other solid and worthy material."

As you can see much of this is a matter of interpretation. However, the Congregation for Divine Worship elaborated in 1980 in its "Instruction on Certain Norms concerning the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery" (Inaestimabile donum), saying in #16,

"The form of the vessels must be appropriate for the liturgical use for which they are meant. The material must be noble, durable and in every case adapted for sacred use. In this sphere judgment belongs to the Episcopal Conference of the individual regions. Use is not to be made of simple baskets or other receptacles, nor are the sacred vessels to be of poor quality or lacking any artistic style."

In the matter of furnishings and vestments the GIRM simply says in ##288 and 305,

(Materials) other than the traditional ones may be used . . . , provided they are suitable for liturgical use, subject to the further judgement of the local ordinary, in doubtful cases.

Rome's purpose seems evident. In many poorer countries it is necessary to have latitude in such matters owing to the cost and availability of the material. What is considered noble in that region is fit for use in the liturgy, though the articles should be made for sacred use and not propane vessels pressed into sacred service.

In the case of the US, I know of no decision of the episcopal conference authorizing glass vessels. It is difficult to see how glass could be considered a "noble" material in the wealthiest country on earth. To spend a great deal of time and money in the construction of churches and rectories then use glass vessels to contain the Blood of Christ seems a contradiction. It should be remembered that even among the saints Jean Marie Vianney, the patron of parish priests, was noteworthy for his personal simplicity and evangelical poverty. St. Jean Marie, however, never skimped on the sacred furnishings used in the Divine Service. His is the example that should be followed.