Ostensorios

An ostensorio, plural ostensorios, is a liturgical vessel used to expose the consecrated Eucharistic host for public adoration in the Roman Catholic Church and in some other Christian traditions. The term derives from Latin ostensorium, meaning “that which shows.” In English, the object is commonly called a monstrance, while ostensorio is used in Italian and Spanish contexts.

Design and function: The central element is a glass or crystal display that holds the host, mounted within a metal framework. The outward form is often a sunburst or radiating design, set on a substantial base or pedestal. Many ostensorios include a protective cover, a crucifix, and decorative motifs; materials are typically precious metals, such as gold or silver, sometimes with gemstones. The vessel is used to present the host during Eucharistic adoration and, in many places, during public processions.

Use in worship: Ostensorios facilitate devotion by making the Real Presence of Christ visible to the faithful. They are employed during designated periods of adoration and are carried in processions, most famously at Corpus Christi celebrations. When the host is not on display, it is reserved in a tabernacle or used in a concealed form within the ostensorio.

History and variations: The practice of exposing the Eucharist for veneration emerged in the High Middle Ages, with monstrances becoming prominent in Catholic devotional life and Eucharistic processions. Ostensorios vary by region and period, ranging from relatively austere to highly ornate examples, reflecting different artistic styles and devotional traditions. In English-speaking contexts, the term monstrance is common; ostensorio is used in Italian and Spanish-speaking communities.

See also: Monstrance, Eucharistic adoration, Corpus Christi.