Monstrance
A monstrance (from Latin monstrare " show " ) a precious, with gold and often designed with gemstones liturgical shop unit with a window area in which a consecrated host for adoration and worship is shown solemnly.
History
Using the first monstrance thought to be due to the feast of Corpus Christi, which was introduced at the Council of Vienne in 1311. These consisted of a simple box made of glass with a cross on it. In the second half of the 14th century, larger Monstrances emerged in the Gothic style, which had a tower-like shape. Only the monstrance from the 16th century often have the shape of a sun still today. The Eucharistic monstrance is derived from relics Ostensorien in Monstranzform that occurred spread around since the 13th century. With the increasing in the 14th century Corpus Christi processions and asserts itself in the 15th century exposition of the Blessed on the altar of the Eucharistic monstrance to the common liturgical Look vessel was. The name monstrancia been used since the mid-14th century, he is in the early period synonymous with monstrance, in Italian sources with tabernacle, in French and in Spanish with custode with Custodia.
Types
The history of art distinguishes three types: The Tower, Altar or Laternenmonstranzen - since the late Gothic to the visible storage in the tabernacle - which Scheibenmonstranz the Renaissance and the solar or monstrances especially the Baroque, a further formation of Scheibenmonstranz.
Built is a monstrance foot, shank and essay. The semi - circular or device for the attachment of the host in the essay called because of its crescent- like shape lunula (from Latin luna 'moon' ). The decoration can go so far that the whole monstrance is designed figurative, about as Tree of Life, Tree of Jesse, or the saints. Another special feature is a Statuenmonstranz, in which the Virgin is shown that Christ holds in the appearance of the host in her womb. A special form is the up to three meters high, multi-story monstrance, worn in Spain and Portugal, on a cart or by several people, is carried in processions.
In Spain, the monstrance Custodia is called. Remarkably there are up to 3.30 m high, multi-tiered Custodien in which the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession on a chariot.
Use
If the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed, it is kept in the Custodia in the tabernacle. For the monstrance each consecrated host may be used, but particularly large or with an embossed image decorated Zelebrationshostien are mostly used in the monstrance.
The Catholic Church uses the monstrance in sacrament processions, especially in Corpus Christi, in the Eucharistic adoration and benediction devotions. When the procession and the Eucharistic blessing of the priest or the deacon holds the monstrance with your bare hands, but his hands covered with a shawl, the velum. The wrapping of hands is an ancient gesture of reverence and also serves to protect the precious metal equipment. The monstrance is then increased exposed so that they can be seen by all present. Before the gift of the Eucharistic blessing the Tantum Ergo is sung.
Andechs Dreihostienmonstranz
A special form of the monstrance is located in the monastery and pilgrimage church of St. Nicholas and Elizabeth in Andechs. There are three preserved in rock crystal wafers that. Upon Pope Leo IX in their and Pope Gregory I go back to the Great. On the consecrated hosts bleeding following characters had appeared: a phalanx, a cross and the inscription IHS. The Gothic Dreihostienmonstranz from the mid-15th century forms the center of Andechs relics treasure.
Similar liturgical vessels
There are reliquaries that are monstranzförmig and where kept and shown relics ( " Relic Monstrance "). In addition to the relics themselves such a monstrance containing sometimes a devotional image of the saint from which the relic comes from.
Tabor
The Tabor is a platform for the monstrance. The name derives from the pericope of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor ( Mk 9.2 to 10 EU) from. In the Eucharistic adoration the monstrance may be placed on the Tabor, which itself stands on the altar. This is the monstrance increased slightly and is seen well, especially from a distance from the altar. Most of Tabor is designed artistically. According to the appearance of the monstrance, he is also often decorated with precious stones or enamel work. Sometimes the Tabor is also supported by angels.
The monstrance as a saint attribute
In Christian iconography, the monstrance occurs with the following saints on saints as iconographic attribute:
- Clare of Assisi ( † 1253 ): monstrance or edible cup, as they drove the Saracens with the Blessed Sacrament from the monastery of San Damiano in Assisi
- Eleutherius († 531 ): with a monstrance in blessing the people
- Frances of Rome († 1450 ): before a monstrance kneeling, take the beams of her heart
- Hugh of Rouen ( † 730): the monstrance with the devil austreibend
- Anthony of Padua
- Barbara of Nicomedia
- Paschal Baylon
- Francis of Berja
- Norbert of Xanten
- Thomas Aquinas