“What is the purpose of the Monstrance?
The Monstrance, also known as an ostensorium (or an ostensory), is the vessel used in the Roman Catholic Church to exhibit objects of devotion, such as the Consecrated Eucharistic Host during Eucharistic Adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is also used as a reliquary for the public display of relics of some saints. The word Monstrance comes from the Latin word monstrare, while the word ostensorium came from the Latin word ostendere. Both terms, meaning “to show”, are used for vessels intended for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, but the ostensorium has only this meaning.
In the Catholic Church Tradition, the reserved Sacrament serves as a focal point of religious devotion. 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 the Tabernacle.
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 Consecrated Host in a special side chapel, often called the “Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament”. For portable designs, the preferred form is a sunburst on a stand, usually topped by a Cross.”
Above: The Blessed Sacrament is reposed but still remains at times when there is no exposition in a MonstranceOn the topic of large Monstrances throughout the world:
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head” (Apocalypse 12:1) All adoration sites can together symbolically represent and adorn a crown of twelve stars on the head of Our Blessed Mother and the many bright stars on the miraculous mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe! Adoration sites beam rays of graces coming from the Divine Mercy in the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Real Presence of Christ, through Mary. Every Eucharistic adoration site around the world radiates peace and an increase of goodness, grace, love and mercy upon all souls! A Polish artist has constructed exceptionally beautiful large Monstrances depicting Our Lady adoring the Host as you can see in the images below that have been placed in chapels where people are praying for peace.
More information about these Monstrances: Comunità Regina della Pace – Apostolstwo adoracji Najświętrzego Sakramentu w imieniu pokoju
A seven-foot monstrance was also prominent feature of a large outdoor Eucharistic service in Quebec in 1938. The grand procession was attended by 100,000 people and involved a massive monstrance that stood gleaming on an outdoor altar. Was that the same one?
In 1923, a large monstrance, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) high, was donated to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Quebec City ( Église du Très-Saint-Sacrement). Is it still in use?
For the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in 2008 in Quebec, an oversized modern monstrance was created for a procession through the streets of Quebec City.
Where You Can Find ONE OF THE the Largest Eucharistic Monstrance in the World? – 9 feet tall: Nine-foot monstrance unveiled as part of new Divine Mercy shrine – Archdiocese of Baltimore
Photo Credit:Archivalencia/Catedral VLC
ONE OF THE largest monstrance in the world is the Monstrance of Corpus Christi from the Cathedral of Valencia, Spain, a massive silver, gold, and platinum vessel adorned with precious stones, weighing 600 kilograms (1,300 lb) and used annually in the Corpus Christi procession.
There are 159 sculptures adorning the above monstrance used in the annual Corpus Christi procession in Valencia, including biblical scenes from the Old Testament up to the Good Shepherd and the risen Christ. The apostles and doctors of the Church adorn the Host, and Eucharistic miracles are depicted. Saints particularly devoted to the Eucharist are part of the multitude of adorers, as is Pope Pius X, known as the “pope of the Eucharist” since he encouraged frequent reception of the sacrament and lowered the age for first Communion.
Key Features:
Material: Primarily silver, with significant amounts of gold and platinum.
Weight: Weighs 600 kilograms (1,300 lb).
Design: Features hundreds of precious stones and thousands of others.
Design: 13 feet tall 7 feet wide, created in 1954 in reparation for war
As of 2025, the following fourteen foot Monstrance is now the world’s largest Monstrance:
The world’s largest monstrance is traveling to Mississippi for the 10th Annual #FeteDieuDuTeche #EucharisticProcession, taking place on August 14-15, 2024 along the #Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. This historic river procession aligns with the national three-year #EucharisticRevival in the U.S. and follows the #NationalEucharisticCongress in Indianapolis last July. Standing 14 feet tall and featuring a 14-inch host visible from the riverbanks, the monstrance was inspired by one used at St. Stephen’s Basilica in #NewOrleans. It was constructed by #StrombergArchitecturalProducts in Greenville, Texas, and will be displayed on a large early 19th-century Belgian altar, enhanced with 500-year-old red cypress reclaimed from old Mississippi River steamboats. The procession also featured a 17-foot crucifix, specifically created for the event and modeled after a smaller early 19th-century French crucifix.
Remember, you don’t need an expensive or large monstrance to have adoration. Most parishes already have a monstrance. Start adoring. We can all open our hearts and adore God, no matter what size or type of monstrance our local chapel has. Jesus is in the Host. Please do not feel that your chapel has less of God if it is not as beautiful, expensive or famous as others. Keep it simple. One chapel of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s sisters had a wooden log or tree stump made into a stand with a small Monstrance placed on it.
What matters most is loving and adoring God. The important thing is that Jesus be adored. He wants to be taken out of the Tabernacle. Bring the monstrance that parishes already have out of the cupboards and adore Our Lord! Every parish usually has a monstrance. Ask that it be used on a weekly or daily basis and not locked up out of sight.
Above: A beautiful wooden monstrance of Our Lady with the Host in her heart that was in one of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s convents where the contemplative sisters have three separate hours of exposition daily. Our Lady seems to be smiling. If you find out where this monstrance are available for sale please let us know.
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