GALLERY / LITURGY AND THE SACRAMENTS
Liturgy and the Sacraments
Because of the utmost importance of the Holy Eucharist, the center and apex of the prayer life of the Catholic faithful, the General Instruction on the Roman Missal requires that it should be conducted in the most dignified way. For this the GIRM enumerates the requisites for the celebration of the Eucharist, and in this gallery, as well as in the next two, the focus is on sacred objects that are elements of the liturgical norm intended to ensure the dignity and beauty of the celebration.
Specifically, for this gallery, the collection shows the sacred vessels and other liturgical objects used during the Holy Mass and other sacraments. Sacred vessels are the receptacles used to hold the consecrated Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the number of pieces documented, many of the artifacts here include the chalices, ciboria and monstrances.
Chalices and Ciboria
Aside from the Bread and Wine to be consecrated, the sacred vessels are foremost among the requirements. They are to be made from precious metals or gilded on the inside. Because of the purpose for which they are used, the chalice and ciborium, with the paten, take prominence on the altar table. Among the chalices and ciboria photographed, noteworthy are the details in the ornamentation, particularly the carved and engrained ivory images of the saints and the evangelists.
Monstrances
The monstrance is an important vessel as it allows or makes it possible for the consecrated Eucharist to be displayed for Adoration outside of the Mass and outside of the tabernacle. And possible even much farther as can be seen from a video circulating or shared throughout social media during the early part of the pandemic (2020) when a priest flew around the territory of the diocese where he serves in a helicopter while carrying the real presence of Jesus Christ in a monstrance, extending a benediction for the abatement of the virus. In that video, the priest was using a portable monstrance. Other than the portable form, there are much larger ones, which are fixed and installed for the exposition of the host in a special chapel called the “Adoration Chapel”.
The monstrance, in its current form – the sunburst on a stand and topped by a cross – is a sacred vessel that is easily recognizable by the faithful. It is a form that easily lends itself to creative renditions; thus, the monstrance is usually elaborate in design and ornamentation. Moreover, it is an appropriate design to highlight the Holy Eucharist that is placed at the transparent center of the monstrance with the rays appearing to emanate from it, drawing the eyes towards that center and the precious treasure it holds.
With the Holy Eucharist displayed within the monstrance in the Adoration Chapel or during a Corpus Christi procession, more Catholics can come to the presence of Christ and experience the blessing of being in his presence. It is hoped that this exhibition will show how the monstrance is an important vessel for the growth of faith of those who seek a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.
Other Sacred Vessels and Liturgical Objects
This gallery also contains images of other liturgical vessels that are also prepared at the credence table. Other liturgical objects intended to be directly used in the celebration of the Holy Mass like the candle holders, altar crucifix and processional crucifix are presented as well. It is also necessary to mention the liturgical books used to proclaim the Word of God. They, too, are worthy of special veneration, and as such would need appropriate book stands, which are themselves artifacts within this gallery.
Great care is given to all liturgical objects. Knowing what they are, how they are used in the Holy Mass, and how all aspects of the celebration are kept holy helps the believer understand more the sanctity and beauty of the Eucharistic celebration.
Monstrance from the Virgen de La Regla Parish, Lapulapu City
By Joanalyn P. Gabales
Outside the Eucharistic celebration, the consecrated host is adored either during the
Exposition, which usually takes place on an altar inside a chapel, or through the Eucharistic Procession. On either occasion, the Blessed Sacrament is encased in a special vessel called the monstrance.
To me, two things stand out about the monstrance: its name itself and its form. The word monstrance originates from the Latin word “monstrare”, which means “to show”; thus, its purpose as a sacred vessel is clear. The form that most monstrances take, especially the portable ones today, is the sunburst on a stand. Other decorative elements incorporated within the design vary, but It is always topped by a cross. The symbolism of this solar design is very clear and is certainly appropriate in highlighting what it is meant to show, that is, the Real and Holy Presence of Christ.
A little bit more than half a meter tall and like most monstrances in the popular form, the monstrance from the Virgen de La Regla Parish in Lapu-lapu City, is in the shape of the traditional “solar” monstrance. Unlike monstrances of elaborate ornamentation, however, this one has more simple-looking rays emanating from the circular glass panel at the center. On closer inspection, the rays consist of different combinations of short and long rays in sets of five and evenly distributed around the glass pane. This gives the monstrance its symmetrical look. Rhythmically engraved all around the metal portion that supports the glass pane are leaf designs. More foliage design can be seen on other large surfaces of the stand or handle as well as on the base of the monstrance. These engraved designs “soften” what otherwise would look like hard metal surfaces. Below the cross, across the circular pane of glass is a cherubim. Additionally, all around the metal rays are 12 stars, also equally distributed, six on each side. Each of the stars is like a miniature sunburst and represents each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
This monstrance is silver plated at some parts and gold plated on the other parts.
Precious metals like silver and gold are typically the materials used for sacred vessels. This is in recognition of the divine mystery it contains and reveals.
As Catholics we believe in the transubstantiation of the host into the Body and Blood of Jesus during the Holy Mass, and so encountering Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has become an important part of our faith and devotion. Just like the sun is, in our physical world, our main source of light and life, so is Jesus Christ the Source that gives Light and Life to our faith.
