In light of the recent articles about a purported Holy Grail in Spain, one of many throughout the world claimed to be the true one, the story about the humble "cup" possessed by St. Padre Pio seems especially relevant. In 2003, an Italian magazine made the spectacular claim that Padre Pio possessed the Grail, and had willed it to a Capuchin priest named Padre Cristoforo, from a nearby friary.
As you can see from the pictures below, this is a truly humble grail, something that the Teacher of Humility might have actually used at the Last Supper. According to the article, Padre Pio wrote a letter to Padre Cristoforo, which has been authenticated. It reads in part: "To Padre Cristoforo da Vico del Gargano, I entrust the remaining humble secrets given to me by the Christian faithful...I leave you the small Greek vase belonging to the Apostle Peter, kept a secret by me because it was a gift from God to my father and a witness of the great light, guard it for the poor faithful".
When this article was published, I translated parts of it and reported about it on my Padre Pio web site. It states that one of the friars who was then involved in Padre Pio's process for canonization believed that the phrase "to my father" in the letter, refers to Padre Pio's spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi. Thus this small vase or cup was transmitted over the centuries from St. Peter, to St. Francis, and eventually to St. Padre Pio. Significantly, Padre Pio also mentions that this cup was "a witness of the great light."
It sounds incredible but could this little, humble cup actually be the chalice of the Grail? Well, it might not be the main chalice, but according to the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, the large chalice contained within it a small cup. Further, at the Last Supper, the Apostles consumed the Precious Blood from separate beakers, there were six of them. Emmerich's writings state that the Precious Blood that remained was placed into the small cup, and that cup was returned to its place inside the large chalice. These relics eventually were distributed among the Apostles according to Emmerich, as reported in the fourth volume of her Life of Christ and Biblical Revelations.
That original posting from 2003 is still there on my web site at this link, with an important update about this exhibit. In view of the letter by Padre Pio with its reference to St. Peter and veiled reference to St. Francis, the authentication of the letter and of the age of the cup, and in light of Emmerich's revelations, I conclude that there is an extremely high probability that the "humble cup" of Padre Pio was actually used on Holy Thursday, and did contain the Precious Blood consecrated by Jesus Himself.
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In the Latin Mass, the Chalice is described as "Praeclarem calicem", this "most excellent chalice. Novus Ordo desacralizes the words into "He took the cup" omitting "into His holy and venerable hands." I read in one historical account of the liturgy (I think it was Father Gihr's) that the chalice Jesus used was with Noah on the ark, and ended up with Melchisedech. I do not remember how it came into Our Lord's hands (from the house of St Mark, where the Last Supper was held (and Pentecost) Perhaps, it was given to Jesus by Elias, having been brought to the hidden Garden of Eden by angels? Just speculation. That, however, would explain why the liturgy from St. Peter has "most excellent chalice."
ReplyDeleteThe Third Edition of the Roman Missal (the new translation) states in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer 1), "He took bread in His holy and venerable hands and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, His Almighty Father..... In a similar way when the supper was ended, He took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks..." Please, knwo of what youo speak and do not denigrate the Novus Ordo! It is still the SAME SACRED MASS only in English. One is NOT better than the other!
DeleteSorry Anonymous I would have to disagree with you. I am 51 years old and have been raised in the Novus Ordo mass. But if you look at the form of the Novus Ordo from about 1970-1978 as compared to today...Big difference. Where did that original Novus Ordo go? Also the Latin Mass truly make you feel like you are worshiping not just at a community meal, it has been watered down or Protestantized if you will............
DeleteYour ability to worship should not depend on words in the first place, regardless of their dialect. Learn to adore first in the silence of your heart. Do not filter the mass through your conditioned and ever-critical ears (which is what Satan desires), but allow the mass to resound within the soft temple of your heart. Thus, when you attend mass, immediately pray and open your heart to all the spiritual realities taking place at the Holy Altar. If your ability to worship in mass depends upon a dialect of human speech, what hope have you to worship in Spirit, the deepest form of worship? However, if you are overcome by the Spirit during worship, and the words of the mass do not seem to rise to the level of your spiritual flight, that is not a fault of the words of the mass, but simply a grace given to you by God. Be humble and grateful for that. And remember that for many others, the words of the mass are sufficiently complementary to their own spiritual flights, regardless of the dialect. Lastly, Jesus said, "When you pray, do not babble like the pagans..." The difference between praying and babbling is not the words or dialect spoken, but whether one is worshipping from the heart or insincerely reciting a script. Let go of the script your ears are accustomed to, and allow the Spirit to condition your heart. If you allow Him, you will realize that there is nothing watered down about the mass, and you will regret ever saying such a thing.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Anonymous, human beings are not angels, much as we'd like to be. That said, while the spiritual reality of Christ's Presence is true for both the NO form of mass and the Tridentine Rite, the differing externals to include verbiage, postures, music, and the dispositions of those around us (shaking hands, talking, going back and forth on the altar, etc) have a profound effect on one's ability to worship. Or focus for that matter. This last is especially necessary as one must focus in order to pray well, not just be perpetually diverted by externals as often happens at NO celebrations.
DeleteIt is not a love for the Latin language that drives one to prefer the Tridentine Mass. There are many very real differences, one being a solemnity that in itself predisposes the soul to quiet depths of contemplation.
So please do not negate the experiences of others by implying that 'they' are now allowing Our Lord to work with them. Have you perhaps considered that Our Lord is leading those you chasten to prefer the Tridentine rite for reasons you simply haven't been led, for the moment, to grasp?
If you allow Him, you may realize that there is much watered down in current celebrations of the mass, and you might, just maybe, obtain the grace to wonder how you ever believed differently.
many people who feel they are "correct & others are not" are modern day scribes and pharasees. There was no gregorian chant, no pipe organ playing at the last supper and the service was in the vernacular(fancy word for local language ) not latin. It is the "spirit" that is either there or lacking .Get the spirit ,get humble,get real,show others the love respect you think you would show the Lord Himself.He is truly presnt in the eucharist and the most lowly & poor of the world,not the know it alls.....LOVE is the ANSWER,do not judge....that is reserved for Christ alone.....
ReplyDeleteif you read the novus ordo and then read the traditional latin mass in English its easy to see it is a completly new mass and up till recently even our lords words at the consecration of the wine had been changed so they had jesus saying he shed his blood for all but he really said it will be shed for many
ReplyDeleteAll the comments above are correct. Why they seem to be opposing comments is that much is missing. The Novus Ordo being said in the great majority of parishes today is not the same as the one intended by the council and documented in the council's constitution on the sacred liturgy. There will always be argument over the mass because everyone experiences it differently. I have (in a single archdiocese) experienced the mass done so differently that it could have appeared (to a non-christian) to be "services" of many different denominations of Christianity. This never happened with the Tridentine rite. Forget saying "Latin Mass" or "new mass", if the implementation of Vatican II went according to the council's intent there would only be "the mass". The mass would have elements of both liturgies. Blessed John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI have both written extensively on the liturgy and have pleaded for decades for the need to follow the council documents, and especially to retain Latin, restore Gregorian chant, genuflections, kneeling, and all the things the "innovators" took from the liturgy, and to do away with those things the council did not add. The mass would be one common form of worship being different only where the GIRM allows options. The split within the church will end only when she does in practice what she says in her documents. I have experienced the most liberal form of the Novus Ordo, the most conservative form of the Tridentine, but also an authentic "Vatican II mass" which is the most beautiful mass I have ever participated in. One truly needs to read all (or at least most) of what the popes have written about the liturgy over the past fifty years to have a better picture of the intent. There are many documents, and much repetition, because there has been so little adherence. The "Year of Faith" which Pope Benedict XVI opened with his document "Porta Fidei" was one of the last things he did as pope, and in that document he made his final (official) plea for the church to "re-read" the documents with the hermeneutic of continuity, and practice what they say.
ReplyDeleteMass is a mass however it is said. The mass is translated into all the languages, so all the faithful can understand, . Stop arguing about this and that. Nobody really understands the true meaning of mass or the sacredness of the church. If they knew they will never chat and chat until the mass starts and resume chatting soon after it ends.. The mass is Jesus's life and passion. His body and blood is truly present in every mass. whether is said in Latin or any language
DeleteOur Lady told Jacinta of Fatima that she is sad people talk in the Church. How can we get pastors to start addressing this problem? Even pastors want to be cool it seems, ending the celebration of Holy Mass with "You guys have a nice day." It is shocking, as if this world has no sacred place left, and every space must be reduced to a cafeteria environment ...
ReplyDeleteHow about the Clown Masses, and the Mass that was celebrated at The Blessed Sacrament Church in San Francisco, where gay men dressed like nuns went up to received Our Lord in Holy Communion? The basement of that same church, held bingo games, where sex toys were used for prizes. This was all shown on the internet , even gave the presiding priests names.. You will never see that in the Traditional Latin Mass..Another thing, at the Last Supper, Blessed Mother and the other women were all in the Upper Room. Now we see women assisting priest s at the Holy Altar, if Our Lo rd had intended for women to serve at the altar, he would have allowed it? I don't think so. It is too bad, that the Novus Ordo is changing with the
ReplyDeletetimes, .
If people didn't greet one another in church, after Mass, I would be sad. Wow, even signs of brotherly love are discouraged. To me, this and the attitudes reflected here (except Anonymous) are way more about Catholic ruberics than authentic Christianity as its essence is shared in the teachings of Jesus recorded in the New Testament Gospel. You people make me afraid to be a Catholic, really!
ReplyDeleteAfraid, exactly how your comments are making me feel. Remember, Christ didn't object to the ritual of the Temple in his own time, in fact he supported and encouraged the traditions of the Temple (because they too were ordained by God), what he objected to was the abuse that the scribes and pharisees were guilty of. Had there been a movement to throw open the doors of the Temple, it would not be one that Christ would have been a part of. Remember, that Christ did not "come to destroy the law, or the prophets. [he] came not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17. As a Catholic woman who left the NO for the TLM while in College, that means that the old ways are not to be dismissed because some fool disagrees with them. We were given an insight by Christ when he walked this Earth in a human form, "You Will Know Them by Their Fruits." Matthew 7:16. The "fruits" of the NO are largely heresy and filth, empty pews, divorce, and empty seminaries. What do you do when the Church founded by Jesus Christ ceases to exist? Well clearly you have decided to follow its bastardized sister. Do what you will, as "for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
DeleteWe are preparing to canonize a man whom we will call John Paul the great. He was a man who could identify with everybody, and in his early life as a priest, said mass on top of the bottom of a canoe ! He tried to unify people by bringing together what we have in common, so we can all live as brothers without so much emphasis on how we pray to God, but realizing there are divisions, find ways we can pray together. After all, we are the ones who have created these divisions over the centuries. The Holy Grail was used by Jesus for the first time for the same reason we use the chalice today, to perform the consecration. Perhaps His words were slightly different than the words used in our liturgies today. I am not knowledgeable of that, but we are followers of Christ and our intentions are to follow Him even though we are all so different in our beliefs. Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and will be the same tomorrow. When the time comes that we see Him face to face, can we really say to Him, we are separated from our brethren because of these changes in the liturgy ? Wouldn't He be more likely to say,how have you corroborated with your brothers to produce the good fruits of harmony and peace ? Or would He say, if you don't recognize Me in your brethren, you don't know Me ?
ReplyDelete"The MASS" is a Liturgy to Glorify GOD! Not to entertain Man! When the NO was IMPOSED upon us, it changed everything. It made the Priest the center, not God! The vast majority of the Pew sitters today do NOT believe in the Real Presence, do Not believe in what the Church (traditionally taught) teaches, Do not feel they have to go to confession to go up and "take" our Lord, do not have to "parade around like a bunch of dolts" behind a piece of bread or a statue of Mary on Feast days, couldn't say the Rosary if their Life (and it does) depended on it....etc, etc, etc. And for the record, I'm not an SSPXer; although I certainly understand and empathize with their plight. Clown Masses, liturgical dancing, Polka Masses, Mariachi Masses, et al; are condoned, but DON'T YOU LATIN MASSERS get too UPPITY AND RIGHTEOUS!!! Typical speak above - label them as "scribes and Pharisees" so they can be poopoo'd. To those of you like "anonymous" above and others who are "apologists" for the "Modern-ist" church...read what Our Lady of Fatima said, read what Our Lady of Good Success said, read what St John Bosco said...about our times... The "Modern-ist" church just names Saints - miracles be "damned" and of course without a "Grand inqusitor" to actually do a check of why they "shouldn't" be named Saints...that has conveniently been done away with. I will, By GOD, go to my judgement trying to retain the Faith that has been taught for almost 2,000 years, as it was handed down Saint to Saint, Pope to Pope, believer to believer rather than "break tradition" and stand in judgement based upon the results of the last 50 years. By their Fruits thay shall me known!!! And fruits they are. READ the original Prayer to St Michael by Pope Leo XIII... Read AA-1025, Read the Saints! READ!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry..I didn't mean to imply that all Novus Ordo Priests are "fruits"...I can see how someone could have come to that conclusion....I DO know Many GOOD N.O. Priests...but it is the Bishops and Hierarchy that are "killing the Church." Pope Francis - the loose Canon - says whatever he wants "off the cuff" and the world loves him (which, in itself, should be a warning), but poor Pope Benedict, boy, he couldn't say anything, even in prepared speeches, and Wow...was He taken to task!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, the heresies that have come up in the church over the centuries are many and some have led to schisms. These things were clearly refuted by papal encyclicals and the church retained her traditional beliefs. Some chose to break away because they no longer believed in the traditional church and there are some who stayed even though they were not completely in line with what was publicly being proclaimed as catholic truths and practices by the church. That has always been around. If some of today's hierarchy are trying to "kill the church", as you have said, it is nothing new. There have always been conflicts with one or another thing. We are human and that will always happen. The majority of bishops however are loyal to the pope and are there to make a go of it, make things work out for the best of all the chaos and calamities that are happening throughout the world. As a catholic lay person, I pray for the Blessed Mother's intentions by praying the rosary as often as I can and I try to keep the First Saturdays of reparation as she requested through Sr. Lucia. She asked for these things to repair for the blasphemies being committed in the world. She also said " in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph". I believe this and that in the end good triumphs over evil. It has to. It is proclaimed in the gospels. Pope Francis is the pope of whom we owe our allegiance since he is the head of our church. He is a conservative regardless of how he is portrayed and he is brilliant in my opinion. I am praying for him as our lady requests us to pray for the hierarchy. There are a lot of people who say whatever they want and by doing so increase the divisions within the church. There are people loosing their lives today for professing Christian beliefs, We need to unite. This is more important.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear something being taught or preached that I feel is in error, like Jesus didn't know how he would die because He asked while He was in Gethsemane "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me", I speak up and with my limited knowledge try to refute it because I feel this is blasphemous. Gosh, why would Jesus keep saying, "my time has not yet come" if He wasn't speaking with his Father ? And how did he know when to begin His ministry ..........and what about the Last Supper discourse in which He teaches his disciples about his relationship with God the Father. If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father, he said. So, there is a lot of effort to de-divinize Jesus and place more emphasis on his human nature which I don't agree with. But regardless of what I hear, my faith and traditional catholic beliefs remain the same. I can't change what's happening except a little word here or there and of course more prayer.
ReplyDeleteGetting back to the humble, Holy Grail of Padre Pio, which is what Frank Rega's post was about, "Precious" does not necessarily mean gold and gems and monetary value. Precious surely also means that Jesus has touched it, lifted it, spoke of his blood in it. Indeed, as cited in the Mass, it is the "chalice of salvation." We don't know as a fact if Padre Pio did or did not have the Holy Grail, but this much we do know: Padre Po was no fool.
ReplyDeleteA comment about the discussion on the Latin Mass vs. the Novus Ordo. I grew up with the Latin Mass. The churches were always packed. In ours, fairly large, there was a Mass at 7 AM, 8, 9 (the children's Mass) 10, 11 and 12 Noon. In some smaller churches there had to be a simultaneous Mass celebrated in "the lower church" -- usually an auditorium-- to accomodate the people. Of course, as a child I was hardly aware of the deepest meaning, but one thing everyone knew for sure; we were present before the sacred. The priests expressively conveyed that as a reverent silence filled the church and the Mass was 'telling' us so. When the Mass was changed to the Novus Ordo, we had no idea how much change would follow. Little by little things began to . . . morph. I remember one meeting at our church in which we all stood around a table, took a chunk of bread, broke it in half, mashing it with our hands, and passed half to the person next to us. That was a way of explaining "the meal" of the Mass.
Over the decades the sublime diminished. . . I recall a priest zipping up the Host and zipping it down again without a pause for us to look and see the Body of Christ that was being sacrificed. Liturgy changed, was rapidly rushed through. Priests were saying "Do this in memory OF me," losing the beauty of that very moment when it should be profoundly, dramatically stressed that we are there to immerse ourselves in the MEMORY of Christ's sacrifice! Not in "OF". Do I seem picky? Then think of the Marshall Mcluhan distinction; "the medium is the message." What you give the congregation, they will take away with them. What you don't give, they shall never have. Through the decades, since Novus Ordo, Catholic attendance has dwindled to 20--30%. Churches and schools have closed. Say what you will, it's something invisible but palpaby felt--or NOT felt anymore. As they peeled away the reverent beauties and poetry of the Latin Mass (we had our Missals!), what came about was what Mark described above. With the exodus that followed, the people seemed to be singing the old Peggy Lee song, "Is That All There is?" The Church is aware it must reclaim what it has lost -- hence the new evangelization
The Crucifixion of Christ is what Fulton Oursler called "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Nothing in history equals it. The Mass should reflect that great drama. 'Anything goes' does not apply! Thank Our Lord that Pope Benedict XVI unlocked the rusty door and let the ineffably beautiful Latin Mass breathe again.
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