Metal chalice is indispensable and important furnishings for the celebration. In fact, it is in the consecrated chalice that transubstantiation happens, and the wine becomes the blood of Christ. The uniqueness and greatness of this revelation has led over the centuries to the need for metal chalices to live up to the height of the content, which they were intended for.

Chalices in gold or silver therefore belong to the treasures of the Church since ancient times, often finely chiselled with figures in relief, adorned with pearls and precious stones. Rituals and liturgical requirements have also decreed the evolution of metal chalice in different directions, with an adjustment of shapes and materials, which has developed hand in hand with the history of the Church and that of art. Since always, metal chalice have been related to the concept of Eucharist and Passion. In the Middle Ages innumerable legends of the Holy Grail were born, the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, and then to collect his blood at the foot of the cross. This symbol used to unite in devotion men and women from all lifestyles and heritage. Faith and myth come together in the metal chalices of this age and the subsequent, enriched with decorative symbolic elements that recall the Passion and death of Jesus, his glorious Resurrection.

Distribution of bread and wine during the Communion needed over time a differentiation between the different kinds of metal chalice.

Other metal chalices, also unconsecrated, were necessary for other moments of the celebration.

Today, because of the simplification of the ritual, variety has reduced, but the need that the container is appropriate to the content remains unchanged. Metal chalice can be simple and modern, but should preferably have a golden interior and, in general, express at first glance the greatness of the mystery that they welcome.

On Holyart.com you will find more than 250 metal chalices of different shapes and sizes.

Already when we were kids, we used to light a candle in the church, a gesture that almost seems like a game, but full of meaning. And this gesture means light. The light was first created by God and illuminates our lives since the beginning, as we are baptized.

Together with altar linens, chalices and ciboriums, altar candles play an important role in the liturgy. Candlelight banishes darkness and reminds of the greatness and magnificence of the Love of God.

Normally altar candles are white, but they can vary according to the liturgical period and can be green, red and purple. All these lights are a symbol of the victory against death, as all believers are together in prayer.

In our Holyart.com catalogue, you can find different types of altar candles, in different forms and colours.

The practice of passing round a chalice during a meal from which all those present drink as a sign of communion, is as ancient as humanity itself. For a Christian, there is no greater moment of the communion of the Eucharist, when the bread of life, and the chalice of salvation are offered to all the faithful in order that they may communicate with Christ and give thanks to God.

The chalice of communion has been present in liturgy since the beginning. Initially, it would have been a cup in which the wine that was to be blessed would be preserved. Therefore, it would have presumably been a humble object, for domestic use. With the passing of centuries, and the refinement of religious ceremony, even the communion chalice saw an evolution in its form and materials. Over time, they became ever more precious, as they were often made from gold and silver, embellished with unique carved patterns, as well as ornaments made from precious stones. Although nowadays there is a preference for simpler forms, and materials to make communion chalices, they must nonetheless maintain a dignified character. The inside of the chalice should preferably always be golden. Nevertheless, communion chalices of other materials are also used such as those made of wood (in particular of olive trees), and occasionally in other materials such as ceramic and glass.

During the preparation of the Eucharist, the communion chalice is subject to a particular ritual, during which certain liturgical objects and sacred linen are used, in a precise order. To understand the meaning of the Eucharist you must understand that of the chalice and wine. Jesus himself mentions them with regards to his sacrifice to confirm the new and eternal alliance. Wine therefore, to remember the promises made by God to his people, to celebrate an ancient and eternal alliance, which renews itself, to a time which symbolizes passion and hope. A miraculous gift which is born from terrible pain, from the sacrifice of Christ in remission of all the sins of man. A sacrifice and alliance which the faithful are called to remember every day, dinking from their personal “communion chalice” in the acts of daily devotion, in the gesture of charity. In this way, the miracle is repeated and the chalice of passion is transformed into a chalice overflowing with infinite joy.

Here you can find our selection of communion chalices, available on our Holyart.com catalogue.