ostensorium
9.9
A gold or silver container that shows the bread used in Mass
- noun
- /ˌɑːstənˈsɔːriəm/
- Specialized
:
ostensorio
- The priest carefully lifted the ostensorium during the Sunday service to show the congregation the consecrated Host.
Examples
-
During the mass, the ostensorium was placed on the pedestal for the worshippers to adore the Holy Communion.
-
At the altar, the ostensorium gleamed in the candlelight as the faithful gathered to pray.
-
We have seen that the ostensorium made for Saint Philip's arm marked quite a departure from the enameled silver casket that held the arm relic until 1425.
Academic text (2004)
Synonyms
1
9.9
A gold or silver container used in Catholic churches to show the Communion bread for prayer
has identical meaning but is an alternative term used in the same church
Surface Forms
ostensorium singular
ostensoria plural
Etymology
Ostensorium comes from the Latin verb ostendere, which means 'to show'. It shares the same root as ostentatious, which is about showing off, so an ostensorium is literally a vessel for 'showing' the consecrated Host to people.