A Chalice & Paten Used by Pope John XXIII: June 16, 1959

This chalice & paten have the rare distinction of having been used by Pope (now Saint) John XXIII on June 16, 1959, during the celebration of Holy Mass at the Vatican.  (Click on each of the images to enlarge them.)

A certificate authenticating this date is included.

They were purchased for the ordination of Gaston Rosaire DesHarnais, a Roman Catholic priest, who lived in Rome in the late 1950’s. The lapis lazuli cabochons were purchased and blessed at the Shrine of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

The chalice and paten are Italian sterling silver set by L. Maluberti, of Florence, Italy, in the san remo style.

Symbols of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, are adorned with four lapis lazuli cabochons on a chalice measuring 7 5/8 in. in height.

The gilt sterling silver paten is 6 1/2 in. in diameter.  This image is the bottom of the paten containing the engravings for the priest for whom these items were created.  Patens are small plates, typically made of gold or silver and hold the bread consecrated at Eucharist.

The Latin inscription is,   Ego servus tuus filius ancillae tuae  tibi sacrificabo hostiam laudis . (I am your servant and will offer a sacrifice of praise–Psalm 116.)   IHS, the Christogram–a shortened form for the name of Jesus Christ, highlights the center of the paten.

Both pieces are marked L. Maluberti, Firenze, 925, as can be seen in the photos below.  

They  are in their original fitted box with key. 

The certificate included here is verification of the chalice’s and paten’s use by Pope John XXIII on June 16, 1959 in celebration of Mass at the Vatican.