Chalice Stories Part II

In designing my chalice, I went with an Our Lady of Mount Carmel theme because I have a strong devotion to her. Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary held our Lord in her womb, this chalice will hold the precious blood of Jesus.

I started working with Jerome Ziegler at F.C. Ziegler Company in Tulsa, and together we designed my chalice. We started by repurposing a used ciborium that they had stored in their safe. Unfortunately, we do not know anything about its history. Starting at the top of the chalice, the bowl of the ciborium had to be replaced with a chalice cup. A band was added around the cup that reads “FLOS CARMELI”. This is Latin for “The Flower of Carmel,” which is a traditional Carmelite hymn to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Moving to the base of the chalice, the original overlay design was missing. With the use of 3-D printing to create castings for the metal, we came up with new overlays depicting flowers to keep with the theme of “The Flower of Carmel.”

The six overlay designs each have something different in the center of it. Going clockwise around the base, the front of the chalice depicts the Discalced Carmelite emblem with the cross and three 6-pointed stars. Next to that is a ring from my paternal grandmother followed by a depiction of Saint Teresa of Avila. After that is a pendant from my mother. Then, there is a depiction of Saint John of the Cross. Finally, there is a ring from my maternal grandmother. I chose to depict Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross because they are known for starting the reform of the Carmelites, which today is known as the Discalced Carmelites.

I wanted to Incorporate the jewelry from my mother and grandmothers because it is fitting for the our Lady theme. Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary is our mother, these three pieces of jewelry represents the mothers in my own life. Another layer of meaning to this jewelry is that each one contains a diamond(s). In icons, our Lady is traditionally depicted with three stars: two on her shoulders and one on the crown of her veil. These represent her perpetual virginity before, during, and after her pregnancy. Diamonds are known to be one of the purest stones. Therefore, these diamonds from the mothers in my life also represent our Lady’s purity in remaining a perpetual virgin.

Every time I celebrate Mass with my chalice I will be reminded of these things. It will remind me of my humble upbringings while also deepening my devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. May she watch over me and guide me as I celebrate the sacrifice of the Mass.