November 11, 2009

A Priest’s Chalice: Monsignor's chalice expresses hope of the parousia

By Msgr. George Schroeder

About a dozen of our 1962 St. Paul Seminary (in St. Paul, Minn.) ordination class of 42 priests from all over the northern Midwestern states chose this basic old Roman drinking cup, done in a Greek style, offered by Adrian Hamers Co. of New York and Germany.  Each of us then chose some specific features to individualize our own chalice.
Mine was a gift from my parents and Italian maternal grandparents and in memory of my German paternal grandparents, already deceased.  I chose the Greek words, Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy), and Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus) to circle the outside of the cup, reminding us that the Mass carries us from the ultimate act of God’s love and mercy, Jesus’ death and resurrection, through time and history until Jesus’ final coming in the parousia, the hope expressed in Maranatha!, one of the last words in the Bible (Rev 22:20).  Each time Mass is celebrated we enter into Jesus’ all-saving act.
The chalice node is embellished with a specially designed Greek cross.
On the back of the paten (plate) is another Greek cross, inscribed with the Greek words, phos (light) and zoe (life), powerful themes from John’s Gospel.
It has been such a privilege to celebrate the Eucharist with these vessels for 47 years, since that Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension, June 3, 1962, when I first used this chalice and consecrated the Blood of Christ with my Italian grandfather’s homemade red wine.  He was so proud, as was I and the rest of my family.
Each time I celebrate the Eucharist my prayer continues—Kyrie eleison and Maranatha!

Msgr. George Schroeder, who was ordained and served in the Diocese of Duluth, Minn., was incardinated into the Denver Archdiocese in 1990 after having served here for eight years. His ministry in the archdiocese included serving as vicar for clergy. He retired in 2007 and now resides in Scottsdale, Ariz.