Special WWI chalice Belgium-bound
A chalice used on the frontlines of battle in World War I is making the journey to Europe once more.
Sacred Heart Parish in Petone farewelled the century-old chalice at a mass last Sunday, sending it on its way to a war exhibition in a Belgian town.
Throughout WWI the chalice was carried by Father James Joseph Mcmenamin.
Priest Marlon Maylon oversaw the chalice on its way out of the church and blessed both the box it was carried in and the people taking charge of it. ’’As parish priest I started to learn about this person and his history.’’
Mcmenamin’s story was still fresh for many parishioners and many people saw him as a hero. He was a parish priest at Petone when war broke out in Europe in 1914.
He volunteered his services and went to the front lines of combat, administering to the men. Known as Father Mac to his soldiers, he was killed near Messines, Belgium, on June 8, 1917 as he was laying a soldier to rest. During the burial a shell exploded near him.
He had been carrying a chalice gifted to him by his parish in Petone. The chalice was returned to the Sacred Heart Parish after his death and has been used in masses since.
In honour of the 100-year anniversary of his death, the chalice will feature in the Mesen Historical Museum in Belgium as part of a ‘‘100 New Zealanders at Messines’’ exhibition.
Fr Maylon gave the chalice into the care of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) members.
‘‘We will miss this chalice,’’ he said. ‘‘People are really proud of it and we are so excited about the celebration.’’
The NZDF will fly it to Belgium. Protecting it is a case constructed of native timber, built by students from nearby St Bernard’s College. The students were at last Sunday’s mass and performed a haka outside the church.
In Belgium, the chalice will be used in a special service on June 8, the 100-year anniversary of Mcmenamin’s death.