Replies

1. 
   robkelly1 | Jan 20, 2004 10:58pm | #1

   I have repaired ebony with black tinted epoxy and it worked fine. There is a problem you must face because this is a chalice.  A chalice must be consecrated before its 1st use, otherwise the miracle of transubstantiation will not take place. A chalice repaired as you suggest will have as an integral part some unconsecrated epoxy and tint. I believe that even a small unconsecrated part of the chalice will cause the miracle to fail (complete non-transubstantiation) although some theologians feel that the result will be a partial transubstantiation, with either a small part of the wine not taking part in the miracle, or the entirety of the wine being partially transubstantiated.

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 20, 2004 11:10pm | #2

   Rob,

   Thanks for the reply about the repair.. Wow the theology lesson was a little over my head, but interesting non-the-less.

   If I am reading you correctly, the priest would have to have the chalice re-consecrated before it's put back into service?

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jan 21, 2004 12:08am | #3

    

   thanks rob,

   re: repair - yes, the epoxy would be fine, even superglue if you can keep it in the crack, but I'd check with the owner first.

   Cheers,

   eddie

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Jan 21, 2004 12:32am | #5

   Eddie,

   Thanks, checking with the owner about the repair is a definite.. as I said if it was up to me I would leave it alone. Plus this is a gratis repair job (should get me into heaven faster!)

1. 
   robkelly1 | Jan 21, 2004 01:25am | #6

   Actually, considering the problems the Church has these days, unconsecrated epoxy has to be at the bottom of the list.  If you go with the epoxy/tint, try a test on some other piece of wood to see if the tinted epoxy  keeps the same color when you sand it down. When a color change happens to me, I can often bring the tinted color back with an acetone or MEK wipe. Good luck. Rob

2. 
   joinerswork | Jan 21, 2004 08:26am | #7

   Repairs like this are problematic, because there is no guarantee that the thing that caused the crack in the first place (shrinkage from moisture loss) will not return to bite your repair in the butt 6 months from now.  What happens when the humidity rises, and causes the ebony to swell?  There's noplace for it to go, because the opening is full of epoxy.  Then the wood fibers are crushed (compression set), and when humidity drops again, a new crack appears beside the old one, or somewhere else.  

   If the split was caused by the maker using unseasoned wood, filling the crack may be successful, as long as its owner keeps it in a relatively stable environment, humidity-wise.  It's a judgement call to repair or not.  Don't know about reconsecrating it, but I've more than once sent a repair job out of the shop with a prayer that it not come back!

   Good luck,

   Ray

2. 
   adrienne4468 | Jan 21, 2004 12:30am | #4

   Actually God is the one who performs the miracles and he is already concecrated.

   Tony

   We already have enough youth, how about a fountain of smarts.

2. 
   saucyg | Jan 21, 2004 12:39pm | #8

   Sorry, no advice. Just can't imagine someone wanting to "fix" something like that. I don't mean you as much as I mean it's owner. Doesn't strike me as very humble.

   Cheers,

   G

   "Advice usually comes free and is often worth the price!