November 4, 2009

A Priest’s Chalice: Judicial vicar’s chalice is more than a century old

By Father James Moreno. J.C.D.

I was the first transitional deacon assigned to Holy Ghost Church in Denver. I spent that year (1975-76) finishing up my diaconal studies and assisting as deacon at Holy Ghost.
One of the priests there, Father Jerome Weinert (he was originally from Cincinnati and was a good friend of Archbishop Urban Vehr) taught me how to say Mass in the crypt church at Holy Ghost. We went there every day and he would teach me how to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass using this chalice (see inset photo).
This chalice was originally given to Father Weinert by Msgr. John Mulroy who was one of the pastors at Holy Ghost. Msgr. Mulroy received it from one of his priest friends in Cincinnati. The chalice was manufactured in 1889, so it is 120 years old and has a long history. I’m sure there were many holy and good priests who celebrated the holy Eucharist with it. I’m very proud to use it. I use this chalice for my daily Masses even though I received another chalice after my ordination. I received this chalice from Father Weinert because I didn’t have one for my first Mass.
The chalice is gothic in style. Msgr. Mulroy’s mother had a ring of lapis azure and the lapis azure was made into a cross that is on the center of the chalice base. The chalice is gold.

Very Rev. James Moreno, J.C.D., is judicial vicar of the Denver Archdiocese and pastor of Holy Family Church in Denver.