Retirement is like climbing a mountain and not knowing what to expect on the other side. My moving on this summer from 46 years as a fully active priest of the Atlanta Archdiocese to the role of senior priest was an unexpected consolation amidst the arduous work of uprooting.

Recently retired Father John Kieran holds the 18th century silver chalice and paten that’s been in his possession for over 50 years. Upon retirement Father Kieran, who currently lives in residence at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, donated the sacred pieces to the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Archives and Records. Photo By Michael Alexander

For sure, the withdrawal from the workplace has allowed me more time to review life; more time to pray and read—finally enjoying those volumes laid aside to accommodate other “required” reading. The work of moving out of the pastor’s home in Conyers to smaller quarters at the Cathedral rectory entailed evaluating and downsizing stuff accumulated over the years. All needed to be revised, appraised and dispatched to new homes, each piece and file inciting a mixture of rich memories and sadness over parting.

Thus, I agonized over my antique 1750 silver chalice: To go or not to go? This beautifully preserved altar piece was given to me by Father Kevin Costine, a Cistercian monk, while he tutored me for seminary acceptance 53 years ago at All Hallows in Dublin, Ireland. It was a gift of friendship, a bonding with the priest who enabled me to achieve the required academic grades for seminary. It represents a prayer commitment from the monks of Mellifont Abbey to sustain their spiritual son in the mission fields of Georgia.

The Mellifont chalice also embodies a bigger story, namely the Church’s struggle for survival in the time of the dreaded Penal Laws. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the anti-Catholic English government in Westminster passed severe laws to suppress the Catholic Church and its people in Ireland. These laws were brutally enforced by English agents and military who governed the Irish “colony.”

Lands were confiscated from Catholic owners and given to English (Protestant) implants. Thus many of the displaced Irish landowners died or emigrated. During the period of 1600-1778, Catholic land ownership fell from 90 percent to a mere 5 percent. Priests were outlawed; Catholics were forbidden to hold public office or bear arms. These Penal Laws, such as “The Act to Prevent Further Growth of Popery” (1704), forced all who would not renege Catholicism and convert to the established Anglican Church to be relegated to the bottom rung of society.

Amazingly the Roman Church survived. Many spots in Ireland are still identified as the place of the Mass Rock, or the shelter where Mass was celebrated in secret. Despite persecution, deprivation and martyrdom, the faithful willingly bore the risk of attending Mass. In ways, the Penal Laws emboldened the faithful in their determination and resolve.

When one celebrates Mass using a chalice from that period, you vividly visualize the clandestine history and the heroic human sacrifices witnessed. You envision open air Masses in cold and rain; people traveling miles on foot; communicants keeping the long strict fast; the network of dedicated parishioners that hid priests and secured a place of safety for Mass. All done out of love for Jesus and his presence in Holy Eucharist.

Looking back at my life prior to retirement, I think fondly of my time with the Mellifont chalice. I am happy knowing that this historic chalice has found a new home and is now in safekeeping within the Archives of the Atlanta Archdiocese, to be displayed occasionally. Hopefully it will hearten others to imitate the resilient faith of our harassed ancestors, especially those who are denied the freedom of religious practice in our times.