A silver-gilt chalice from Ireland (c. 1480) that is a rare survivor of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation was used to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit marking the opening of the academic year for The Catholic University of America. 

The Sept. 1 Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – celebrated by Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, a member of the CUA’s Board of Trustees – was one of the first times in centuries that the long-missing chalice has been used for a liturgy.

Most pre-Reformation chalices were melted down or taken by soldiers during efforts to suppress Catholicism in the mid- to late-16th century. This chalice survived. Exactly how remains unclear, though online reports suggest that it may have been buried or hidden by monks, and later stolen like many similar artifacts from that time period. 

“Some soldier centuries ago thought he was putting an end to Mass by looting this chalice. Well, his efforts were futile. The Mass continues — even with this very chalice.” said CUA chaplain Dominican Father Aquinas Guilbeau. 

The chalice was discovered and sold in the 1930s, then disappeared and was rediscovered “in a cardboard box in a garden outbuilding,” by a descendent of the purchaser according to the Irish Independent newspaper. Sold at auction in July 2021, it is being loaned to the university by the owner. 

The chalice may have been crafted in the Cork region according to materials from Duke’s Fine Art Auctions, which note it has an unusual “circular spreading foot.” 

After the Mass, it was installed for viewing in St. Michael Chapel at Catholic University’s Maloney Hall through October. The chalice made short stops at Villanova University and Georgetown Preparatory School in spring 2022.