Monstrance

A traditional "solar" monstrance.

A monstrance, also known as an ostensorium (or an ostensory),[1] is the vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican churches for the more convenient exhibition of some object of piety, such as the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is also used as reliquary monstrance for the public display of relics of some saints.[2] The word monstrance comes from the Latin word monstrare,[3] while the word ostensorium came from the Latin word ostendere. Both terms, meaning "to show", are used to vessels intended for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, but it is in this sense only that we use the word ostensorium.[2]

Liturgical context

In the Catholic tradition, at the moment of consecration the elements (called "gifts" for liturgical purposes) are transformed (literally transubstantiated) into the body and blood of Christ. Catholic doctrine holds that the elements are not only spiritually transformed, but are (substantially) transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Although the elements retain the appearance, or "accidents," of bread and wine, they become the body and blood of Christ. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is known as the doctrine of the Real Presence within the Roman Catholic tradition. Other Christians (notably Anglicans, Old Catholics, Mar Thoma, and Lutherans) accept the doctrine of the Real Presence, whilst rejecting transubstantiation as a philosophical concept. Owing to these beliefs, the consecrated elements are given the same adoration and devotion that Christians of these traditions accord to Christ himself.

Within churches of these traditions the reserved sacrament serves as a focal point of religious devotion. In many of them, during Eucharistic adoration, the celebrant displays the sacrament in the monstrance, typically on the altar. When not being displayed, the reserved sacrament is locked in a tabernacle (more common in Roman Catholicism) or aumbry (more common in the other traditions mentioned).

Use and design

The Blessed Sacrament, presented in a monstrance, being carried by Cardinal Danneels in procession using a humeral veil
Two monstrances, showing the contrast between the modern simplified design on the right with its more ornate predecessor on the left

In the service of Benediction, the priest blesses the people with the Eucharist displayed in the monstrance. This blessing differs from the priest's blessing, as it is seen to be the blessing by Christ rather than that of the individual priest. The exposition of the monstrance during Benediction is traditionally accompanied by chanting or singing of the hymn Tantum Ergo.

Monstrances are usually elaborate in design; most are carried by the priest. Others may be much larger fixed constructions, typically for displaying the host in a special side chapel, often called the "Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament". For portable designs, the preferred form is a sunburst[4] on a stand, usually topped by a cross.

Medieval monstrances were more varied in form than contemporary ones. Those used for relics, and occasionally for the host, typically had a crystal cylinder in a golden stand, and those usually used for hosts had a crystal window in a flat-faced golden construction, which could stand on its base. The monstrance was most often made of silver-gilt or other precious metal, and highly decorated. In the center of the sunburst, the monstrance normally has a small round glass the size of a Host, through which the Blessed Sacrament can be seen. Behind this glass is a round container made of glass and gilded metal, called a luna, which holds the Host securely in place. When not in the monstrance, the Host in its luna is placed in a special standing container, called a standing pyx, in the Tabernacle. Before the current design, earlier "little shrines" or reliquaries of various shapes and sizes were used.

When the monstrance contains the Host, the priest will not touch the vessel with his bare hands. Out of respect, he holds it with a humeral veil, a wide band of cloth that covers his shoulders (humera) and has pleats on the inside, in which he places his hands.

Controversy over the monstrance in the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church

In recent years, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has embarked on a campaign of de-Latinization reforms. These include the removal of the stations of the cross, the rosary and the monstrance from their liturgy and parishes. In response a group called the Society of Saint Josaphat (abbreviated as SSJK) has formed, with a seminary in Lviv. It currently has thirty students enrolled and is affiliated with the Society of St. Pius X.

Critics claim that the SSJK's liturgical practice favours severely abbreviated services and imported Latin Rite devotions over the traditional and authentic practices of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Proponents counter that these symbols and rituals, influenced long ago by their Polish Catholic neighbors, have been practiced by Ukrainian Greek Catholics for centuries and that to deny them today is to deprive the people of a part of sacred heritage which they have learned to regard as their own.

Noted monstrances

Monstrances for displaying the Sacred host

Monstrances as reliquaries

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Altar vessels". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2014-11-16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2014-11-16.
  3. ↑ "Demonstrate", The American Heritage Dictionary, men in Appendix I, Indo-European Roots
  4. ↑ Instructio Clement., 5
  5. ↑ http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080523/pl_usnw/world___s_largest_monstrance_to_be_unveiled
  6. ↑ Butler, J.D. (February 1880). "Nicolas Perrot's ostensorium". Watchman (Green Bay). Retrieved November 6, 2014.

External links

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