The Good Shepherd Museum of Quebec… A treasure tucked away in the heart of Old Quebec City., Quebec, Canada

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The Good Shepherd collection contains many « treasures » linked to Catholic worship. Whether simple or ornate, these objects, before being placed in the Museum storage rooms, were used for religious ceremonies or for popular devotions. A large number evoke biblical personalities, represent saints recognized by the Catholic Church, or are decorated with symbolic designs.

Nowadays, some of the names, functions and symbols associated with these objects have been forgotten.

Can you recognize a monstrance? Can you tell the difference between a statue representing the Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph? Do you know why some tabernacle doors are decorated with the symbol of the Pelican and its young?

In this section, called Unusual Artefacts, you are invited to test your knowledge in an amusing way.

	A. chalice B. pall C. purificator D. paten E. ciborium	The ciborium The ciborium is a sacred vase usually made of precious metals. Its lid is often surmounted by a small cross or other religious symbol. In this cup-shaped receptacle are conserved the hosts or altar breads consecrated by the priest, which are then distributed to the faithful during communion. In former times the interior of the cup was always plated with gold.
	A. chalice B. pall C. purificator D. paten E. ciborium	The chalice The chalice is a sacred vase whose cup rests on an elevated base. It contains the wine for the offertory, the consecration and communion. Because of its sacred nature, the chalice may not be put to other use. Formerly, only priest could touch it.
	A. chalice B. pall C. purificator D. paten E. ciborium	The paten The word paten comes for the latin patena, dish, a word derived from the greek patane, a shallow dish. The paten is a small metal plate which the priest places on the chalice before or after the mass. The paten and chalice are considered as sacred vessels. During the mass, the priest places on the paten the large host or altar bread which will become the Body of Christ during the consecration.
	A. chalice B. pall C. purificator D. paten E. ciborium	The purificator The purificator is a special cloth used by the priest to purify the chalice after communion. It is also used to purify the paten. Usually made of linen, it is identified by a small red embroidered cross. Formerly, it was burned and not discarded when it was no longer fit for use.
	A. chalice B. pall C. purificator D. paten E. ciborium	The pall The pall is made of cloth and covers the chalice and paten which are used during the mass. It is consists of two pieces of cloth, often reinforced by a piece of cardboard, all of which are held together by decorative braid. The under part is usually linen or hemp while the upper part, identified by a small cross, is often richly decorated.

Unsusual Artefacts

The ciborium

The chalice

The paten

The purificator

The pall