A reader writes:
Dear Mr Akin,
Do you have a photographic memory? You have been a Catholic for only a short period of time, relatively speaking, yet your knowledge of Encyclicals and abstruse bits of Church teaching – including which number and page has me gob smacked.
Aw, shucks, ma’am. . . . T’ain’t nuthin.
In regard to my memory: I regard it as nothing but frustratingly inadequate. It forgets the things I want to remember and remembers the things I want to forget.
I am told, however, that others think it is a good one. Sometimes folks who have sat in on the radio show have remarked that they’re surprised I’m not looking up answers–not usually at least (unless I want to give an exact quotation as part of the answer).
I don’t really know, but I have been told that my memory is eidetic or "photographic." This does not mean that I remember everything I’m exposed to. (I’m not Lt. Cmdr. Data!) That kind of memory does not appear to occur in humans, despite a popular impression to the contrary. Our brains are designed to forget stuff.
I am told, however, that my memory is eidetic in that I remember things in an (apparently) more vividly visual way than some folks. For example, I will remember what part of the page a piece of information is on and have a mental image of it, even if I can’t remember the information itself. I assumed this was the way everyone remembers things until I was in my early thirties and someone told me that it ain’t. I haven’t asked enough folks to know if that’s true or not, though. It may be that my friend and his family have unusually non-visual memories and mine is only normal.
Now to the not so pleasant part! lol
On page 7 of your booklet, Mass Appeal (fantastic booklet for our undercatechised people) you wrote: ‘On the altar are vessels used during the eucharist, such as the ciborium, a plate or dish-like vessel…’ Should that not be ‘patern’ ? The ciborium is the large chalice like container which holds consecrated hosts from other Masses I think. I am not saying this to be a smarty pants but when/if another edition comes out if this is an error it can be corrected.
I remember when I was writing Mass Appeal that I had to do a good bit of research on the term "ciborium." It’s used in respect to liturgical vessels that have several different shapes. One, as you mention, is chalice-shaped. If that’s not in Mass Appeal then it should be. I’ll check it out and mention it to Publications and see about getting it added, though we’ll need to call the diocese to get in included as the booklet has an imprimatur.
My memory is also that my research turned up that "ciborium" is also applied to certain plate-shaped vessels, like a paten, though I don’t recall the sources I looked at that supported this. I’ll go back and verify them.
Finally, it is also applied to bowl-shaped vessels, like those in this picture:
[SOURCE.]
In any event, it seems that the term has a somewhat broad semantic range that can apply to a number of different shapes.
I will keep praying for the Catholic Answers apostolate.
Thanks! Please do!
It’s amazing how quickly you learn when you become a Catholic. I’ve been in the Church for three years, and it amazes me how ignorant I was when I first entered the Church. It’s not like I’m some kind of scholar. Just reading things like Envoy, This Rock, Catholic blogs, watching EWTN; you just learn so much. Here and there you pick up snippets of information, and without realizing it, it all just stores up in your memory. Next thing you know, you’re quoting St. Ignatius of Antioch like you’re a patristic scholar.
A ciborium is a covered vessel that is mainly used to contain consecrated Hosts although it can also be placed on the altar if a large number of Hosts are to be consecrated at the Mass.
A paten can have several shapes, usually a plate or a bowl. It is used for the consecration of Hosts at the Mass. There is another form of paten that is not often used in most places which is a disk of metal (usually brass plated in gold on the upper side) with a handle. When used they are put under the hands or chin of the communicant so that if the Host falls it will be caught. Most servers, however, handled them very nonchalantly and so any falling Host would likely roll off onto the floor anyway.
Fr John
Yes, Jason, I agree with you. Thank the Lord for these wonderful modes of apologetics!
“For example, I will remember what part of the page a piece of information is on and have a mental image of it, even if I can’t remember the information itself.”
Hey, I can do that too! You mean that isn’t something that anybody can do?
Jimmy: Regarding your memory. When you die can you donate your brain to reseach. I’ve always wondered if there are differences in people’s brains that can be detected that allow them this ability.
By the way the above was a joke. They did however find differences in Einstein’s brain.