Editing Monstrance (section)

{{Short description|Vessel used to display religious object in the Christian tradition}}
[[Image:Monstrans.jpg|thumb|right|A traditional "solar" monstrance]]
{{Eucharistic adoration}}
{{Moresources|date=March 2024}}

A '''monstrance''', also known as an '''ostensorium''' (or an '''ostensory'''),<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01357e.htm "Altar vessels"]. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2014-11-16.</ref> is a vessel used in [[Roman Catholic]], [[Old Catholic]], [[High Church Lutheran]] and [[Anglican]] churches for the display on an altar of some object of piety, such as the consecrated [[Eucharist]]ic [[Sacramental bread]] (host) during [[Eucharistic adoration]] or during the [[Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament]]. A monstrance may also serve as a [[reliquary]] for the public display of [[relic]]s of some saints.<ref name=catholic>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11344a.htm ""]. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2014-11-16.</ref> The word ''monstrance'' comes from the [[Latin language|Latin]] word {{Lang|la|monstrare}},<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/61/61/D0126100.html "Demonstrate"], ''The American Heritage Dictionary'', '''men''' in Appendix I, Indo-European Roots</ref> while the word ''ostensorium'' comes from the Latin word {{Lang|la|ostendere}}. Either term, each expressing the concept of "showing", can refer to a vessel intended for the exposition of the [[Blessed Sacrament]], but ''ostensorium'' has only this meaning.<ref name=catholic/>