Mixed chalice

In the Christian sacrament of the Eucharist, the mixed chalice denotes the mingling of water and wine in the cup.[1]

In the modern Roman rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the mingling happens during the offertory. The Deacon (or Priest if there is no Deacon present) pours wine and a little water into the chalice, saying quietly "By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share our humanity".[2]

In the Byzantine rite, the chalice is mixed twice; one as in the Western rite, the other when hot water is added at the commixture. The reason for this is unknown, but is said to symbolise the fervency of faith and the descent of the Holy Spirit.[3]

The practice likely originated from the ordinary practice in the ancient Middle East of watering down wine for consumption, which would have been the usual custom of Jesus and his disciples.[1] However, as is the case for most liturgical developments, symbolism was attached to unelaborated action over time.[4] Various symbolisms have been associated with the mixed chalice: the union of Christ with his people; the blood and water said to have flowed from Christ's side on the cross (John 19.34); or the union of the Divine and human natures of Christ.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Bradshaw, Paul, ed. (2002). The New SCM Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship. SCM Press. pp. 321–322. ISBN 0334028833.
  2. ^ Gibbons, Robin, ed. (2011). The sunday missal: sunday masses for the entire three-year cycle complete in one volume together with extracts from the sacramental rites and from the Divine Office. London: Collins. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-00-745629-1.
  3. ^ Taft, Robert F. (1987). "Water into Wine: The Twice-Mixed Chalice in the Byzantine Eucharist". Le Muséon: 323–342.
  4. ^ Pierce, Joanne M.; Romano, John F. ‘The Ordo Missae of the Roman Rite: Historical Background’, in Foley, Edward (ed.). A Commentary on the Order of Mass of The Roman Missal. Liturgical Press (2011), pp.20-21.
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