Crafted by the Don Bosco Artisans of Pucallpa, Peru, these liturgical items incorporate woods from the rainforest, traditional marquetry techniques, and symbols of the Amazon, serving as an expression of the convergence of faith, culture, and the richness of the Amazonian peoples.
The Christian community of the Apostolic Vicariate of Pucallpa in Peru has prepared a chalice and a paten as a gift for Pope Leo XIV—a handcrafted work that embodies the identity, spirituality, and cultural richness of the Amazon.
The piece, crafted by the Don Bosco Artisans of Pucallpa in the Ucayali region, represents a form of liturgical art that integrates elements of Amazonian nature and the cultural expressions of indigenous peoples. Its design reinterprets the shape of traditional mokawas—containers used by various native rainforest communities to drink liquids, both in daily life and during ceremonies.
The piece is crafted from solid wood, primarily mahogany, with marquetry details created by joining strips of different woods in their natural colors, without paint or stains. Its interior, made of silver-plated bronze, evokes water, rivers, and lagoons—elements essential to life in the Amazon.
Amazonian Symbols in Dialogue with Faith
One of the most significant aspects of this creation is its decoration, which brings together various symbols of Amazonian biodiversity and cultures.
Among them is the otorongo, an emblematic animal of the jungle, associated with strength and wisdom. Its depiction also establishes a symbolic link with the name chosen by the Holy Father, as the otorongo is recognized as the “lion” of the Amazon.
The composition also incorporates a flaming heart pierced by an arrow—a symbol of Augustinian spirituality found in the papal coat of arms—the parrot’s beak, an emblematic flower of Ucayali; leaves and plants native to the Amazonian ecosystem; as well as kené geometric motifs, characteristic of Shipibo culture and other Amazonian cultural expressions.
In this way, the chalice and paten become an expression of the convergence of art, culture, and faith, bringing elements that speak to the memory, identity, and life of the peoples of the Amazon into the Eucharistic celebration.
A Church that celebrates the faith through its Amazonian identity
This gift is a meaningful gesture from the Christian community of the Apostolic Vicariate of Pucallpa, which seeks to express, through art and craftsmanship, its belonging to a Church with an Amazonian identity, committed to recognizing and valuing the cultures of Indigenous peoples.
More than just liturgical objects, the chalice and paten represent an offering from the Amazon to the universal Church. They embody the creativity of the artisans, the knowledge passed down by Amazonian cultures, and the spirituality of a community that wishes to celebrate its faith without losing touch with its roots.
Thus, from Pucallpa, the Amazon makes its presence felt in the heart of the Church, reminding us that the cultural diversity of its peoples also enriches the experience of faith and the journey of a Church with an Amazonian face.