Father Anthony Manuppella still remembers the day in 1975 when he and his seminary classmates from Saint Charles Borromeo drove to Baltimore to meet with artisan Louis D. Hupfeld.
The young men, preparing at the Wynnewood seminary for their upcoming priestly ordinations, were on a mission.
“I remember meeting a gruff man with a cigar sticking out of his mouth, and I thought, ‘This is the guy who’s going to be making my chalice?’” Father Manuppella said with a laugh.
Hupfeld, a noted engraver whose chalices adorn altars worldwide, created a masterpiece that has endured during Father Manuppella’s 46 years as a priest of the Diocese of Camden.
“He executed [my idea] perfectly. … [I] couldn’t be more happy,” the priest said, proudly displaying his chalice in the sacristy at Northfield’s Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, where he serves as pastor. “Boy, did he have the talent.”
The intricate design on the gold-plated chalice is just as detailed as the plans Father Manuppella presented to Hupfeld a year before his May 20, 1976, ordination to the priesthood.
“The theme of the chalice is the crown of thorns – that the priest’s life is a sacrifice, offered in union with the sacrifice of the Mass, for God’s people and to almighty God,” Manuppella explained.
Below the crown of thorns that lines the top of the cup, and ringing the node, are reminders of his favorite saints and background: a fleur-de-lis for the Blessed Mother; a lily for his namesake patron, Saint Anthony; three interlocked rings, part of Saint Charles Borromeo’s family’s coat of arms and symbolizing the Holy Trinity; another lily for Saint Joseph, representing Father Manuppella’s middle name; a symbol of the host with “IHS” for Saint Pius X, and a stole with a cross for Saint John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.
At the base: a crown of thorns and the San Damiano cross.
Garnet, Father Manuppella’s birthstone, and amethyst, representing the Passion of Christ, are encased around the chalice. On the chalice’s underside are the words from John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
In addition, Father Manuppella’s paten has an icon of the Mother of God staying close to the baby Jesus.
“Mary holds up the Body of Christ,” just as the paten does at the Eucharistic celebration, he explained.
“Every time I lift up the chalice at Mass, I’m reminded that it’s not about me, but it’s about God,” Father Manuppella said, adding that it is beneficial to remember that God is in control, creating beauty and hope even in moments of uncertainty. “This chalice is very dear to me.”
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