What’s inside my church? Monstrance and thurible put focus on the divine

Pictured above: Father Daniel Brouillette, pastor of St. Peter Church in Covington, uses a thurible at his parish’s eucharistic procession and adoration event last fall. The monstrance is visible at left. (Clarion Herald file photo by Beth Donze)

This month, our Kids’ Clarion series on sacred items found inside every Catholic church looks at the monstrance and the thurible – two items used to capture the attention of the faithful.

MONSTRANCE

When we gather as a church community to honor the Eucharist outside of Mass – during a period of prayer called “eucharistic adoration” – the priest places a large consecrated host into a sacred vessel called the monstrance.

The monstrance – placed on an altar or table inside the church or adoration chapel so that all can see Jesus – is usually highly decorated to signify its sacred contents. The one used at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center (at right) dates from 1857, the year a Parisian silversmith created it for the newly built St. Alphonsus Church in New Orleans. Made of gold-plated silver, its features include the angel Gabriel (visible on the shaft), the faces of cherubs, and clouds sculpted into a 27-inch wide “sunburst.” The base has a depiction of the Lamb of God – a bleeding lamb stretched over a fallen cross.

The Latin roots of “monstrance” reveal its function: monstrare – to show.

THURIBLE

The thurible (also called the censer) holds incense that is burned during Mass and eucharistic adoration.

Incense may be used to venerate, sanctify and bless at various times, such as the entrance procession, to incense the altar at the beginning of Mass, before the Gospel is proclaimed and when the priest elevates the host and chalice. Its aroma and smoke awaken the faithful to God’s presence, evoking a feeling of awe and solemnity inside church and reminding us of how the Mass links heaven and earth. The smoke might also remind us of our prayers “rising up” to God.

Pictured: The monstrance used in eucharistic adoration at the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center dates from 1857 and stands four feet tall. (Clarion Herald file photo by Beth Donze)