Monstrance typically refers to the vessel used by Catholics to present or display the consecrated host, primarily in rituals known as benediction, exposition, or adoration. The vessel is considered a small temple which in fact houses the actual body of Christ, or in some cases, a relic of some sort. This concept accounts for the frequent extravagance of its design. Most often made of gold or some other precious metal, and decorated with intricate sculpture work or other highly detailed designs, these venerated objects are still often made by hand by local or regional artists.
The word monstrance comes from the word monstrare, meaning "to expose". It is also known as Ostensorium(from ostendere: to show), Eucharist(pre-reformed Scotland) and monstre/monstral (England).
Before the current design, earlier "little shrines" of various shapes and sizes were used in different churches.The exposition of the monstrance is sometimes accompanied by chanting of the Tantum Ergo, especially those expositions that involve benedictions.
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