Monstrance

Monstrance (Lat. monstrare, 'to show'), called also OSTENSORY, the sacred utensil employed in the Catholic Church for the purpose of presenting the consecrated host for the adoration of the people, as well while it is carried in procession as when it is exposed upon the altar on occasions of special solemnity and prayer. It consists of two parts, the foot or stand upon which it rests, and the repository or case in which the host is exhibited. The latter contains a small semi-circular holder called the lunula, or crescent, in which the host is fixed; and it appears anciently to have been of a cylindrical or tower-shaped form, in the central portion of which, consisting of a glass or crystal cylinder, the host was placed. At present it is more commonly in the form of a star or sun with rays, the central portion of which is of glass or crystal, and serves to permit the host to be seen. This portion, or at least the crescent, is of gold or of silver gilt; the rest is generally of the precious metals, or at least gilt or silvered, although the lower portion is occasionally of bronze artistically wrought.