The same has been in some degree the case in the Christian Church, where many consecrated jewels have been forgotten and fallen into disuse with time.

Ancient vases and jewels, buried beneath the Temple, had often been dug up, sold, or reset.

Thus it was that, by God's permission, this holy vessel, which none had ever been able to melt down on account of its being made of some unknown material, and which had been found by the priests in the treasury of the Temple among other objects no longer made use of, had been sold to some antiquaries.

It was bought by Seraphia, was several times made use of by Jesus in the celebration of festivals, and, from the day of the Last Supper, became the exclusive property of the holy Christian community.

This vessel was not always the same as when used by our Lord at his Last Supper, and perhaps it was upon that occasion that the various pieces which composed it were first put together.