The recent introduction of the Mass for the Care of Creation into the Roman Missal marks a profound liturgical acknowledgment of the Catholic Church’s call to integral ecology. Drawing from Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, this votive Mass emphasizes gratitude for God’s creation, stewardship, and the interconnectedness of all things in Christ. At its heart is the Eucharist, where elements of the earth—bread and wine—are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, symbolizing the redemption of creation itself. This theology invites reflection on how the vessels used in the Eucharist, such as the chalice and ciborium, might deepen this connection to the earth.
While liturgical norms traditionally require sacred vessels to be made from precious, non-absorbent materials to honor the sacrament and prevent any desecration, a theological exploration of using clay pottery—derived directly from the soil—offers symbolic insights into bringing the Eucharist “closer to the earth.” Clay, as a humble, natural substance, echoes the earth’s role in salvation history and aligns with the Mass’s call for ecological conversion. In Goa, with its rich Catholic heritage and ancient pottery traditions, this reflection takes on particular resonance, blending local craftsmanship with global environmental concerns.
Theological Foundations from the Mass for the Care of Creation
The Mass for the Care of Creation weaves themes of wonder, reverence, and responsibility throughout its prayers and readings. The Collect acknowledges Christ as the “first-born of all creation,” through whom God entrusts humanity with safeguarding His works. The Prayer Over the Offerings highlights the nobility of created elements like bread and wine, urging a contemplative approach that transforms our interaction with the natural world. Drawing from Laudato Si’ (n. 66), the Prayer After Communion addresses sin’s disruption of harmony—with God, neighbor, and the earth—seeking restoration through Eucharistic communion.
Central to this is the Eucharist’s cosmic dimension: as Pope Francis notes, it is an “act of cosmic love” where “the whole cosmos gives thanks to God.” Bread from the earth’s grain and wine from its vines become Christ’s presence, redeeming creation. Extending this, vessels made from clay could symbolically embody this redemption. Clay, formed from the soil God used to create humanity (Genesis 2:7), represents humility and dependence on the earth. A clay chalice or ciborium would visually and tactilely remind worshippers that the Eucharist emerges from and returns to creation, countering anthropocentric views that separate humanity from nature.
This aligns with the Mass’s readings: Wisdom invites seeing the Creator’s beauty in creatures, Colossians provides a Christological lens on creation, and Gospel options like Matthew 6:24-34 emphasize God’s provision through nature. Using earth-derived vessels could foster “ecological conversion,” turning the liturgy into a call for stewardship, where the sacred meal mirrors harmony with the planet.
Symbolic and Practical Considerations for Clay Vessels
Liturgically, sacred vessels must honor the Eucharist’s dignity, typically using precious metals that are durable and non-porous to avoid absorbing the consecrated species. Clay’s porosity poses practical challenges, as it could retain traces of the Precious Blood, risking inadvertent mishandling. But today there are possiblties of overcoming this loss through absorption. Moreover, theologically, clay evokes biblical imagery: Jesus as the potter shaping humanity (Isaiah 64:8), or the earthen vessels holding divine treasure (2 Corinthians 4:7), symbolizing fragility and grace.
In the context of the Mass for the Care of Creation, clay vessels could symbolize the earth’s vulnerability amid environmental degradation. They would “bring the Eucharist closer to the earth” by grounding the sacrament in natural materials, fostering gratitude and responsibility. While not standard for the chalice or ciborium, clay could inspire eco-friendly adaptations in other liturgical items or educational settings, emphasizing sustainability over disposability.
This symbolic use counters “distorted views of human dominion,” promoting stewardship inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. As Cardinal Michael Czerny noted, the Mass “increases our gratitude, strengthens our faith, and calls us to respond with wonder, reverence, and commitment.” Clay pottery, biodegradable and renewable, embodies this, reminding us that creation is a gift to be cherished, not exploited.
The Unique Context of Goa: Pottery Traditions and Catholic Faith
Goa, with its deep Catholic roots offers a fertile ground for this reflection. Home to vibrant pottery traditions in places like Bicholim, Anjuna, Sarzora etc., Goan artisans have crafted from local red clay for centuries, producing utilitarian items like pots, bowls, and figurines of saints. This craft, passed down generations, integrates with daily life and religious practices, such as clay lamps for festivals or vessels for community meals.
In Goa’s fragile ecological landscape—marked by dying lush mangroves, beach tourism, builder’s boon and mining threats and other impeding ecocide —clay pottery symbolizes harmony with the earth. Traditional Kumbhar pottery, using natural clay without synthetic additives, aligns with integral ecology by promoting sustainable practices. Imagining a clay chalice or ciborium in Goan Masses could evoke the region’s history: the beautiful azulejos tiles in churches blend western artistry with local clay, mirroring the Eucharist’s fusion of divine and earthly.
Goa Catholics could incorporate such symbolism, educating on environmental stewardship. Local potters, facing modernization’s challenges, might collaborate with parishes to create eco-aware liturgical art, reviving crafts while fostering faith. This “brings the Eucharist closer to the earth” by rooting worship in Goa’s soil, addressing issues like deforestation and pollution through prayer and action. Besides, clay vessels could symbolize resistance to consumerism, echoing the Mass’s preface uniting heaven, earth, and all creatures in praise.
Theologically, it promotes integral ecology, integrating care for creation with faith and justice. It reminds Catholics that the Eucharist celebrates redeemed creation, inspiring policies protecting our common home.
Conclusion
The Mass for the Care of Creation invites us to see the Eucharist as a bridge between heaven and earth, where clay pottery—symbolically for the chalice and ciborium—deepens this bond. In Goa, this reflection resonates with local traditions, urging ecological conversion amid beauty and challenges. As Pope Leo XIV demonstrated in its inaugural celebration, this Mass calls for harmony with God’s works. By embracing earth’s materials, we echo Psalm 24:1—”The earth is the Lord’s”—fostering wonder, reverence, and commitment in an era of urgency. Parishes, especially in Goa, are encouraged to explore this symbolically especially during feasts of cutting of paddy sheaves , deepening commitment to our common home.
