Question about Eucharist

[PJD1987]

Quick question,

Why can the Priest hold the Body of Christ during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but when it’s in a monstrance he wears that special garment that keeps his hands from touching it?

Thank you.

 

[dconklin]

It is a humeral veil. The best I can tell it that is how it always been done.

 

[Lapey]

Quick question,

Why can the Priest hold the Body of Christ during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but when it’s in a monstrance he wears that special garment that keeps his hands from touching it?

Thank you.

Normally you see the minister, priest, deacon or bishop, wear the humeral veil during benediction. In the exposition and reposition of the Blessed Sacrament without the ritual of benediction the veil and cope are not normally used, it may but not required.

The real reason for the veil is to mask the man, especially the hands holding the monstrance. The attention is directed to the Eucharist in the monstrance, the man holding the monstrance is to be covered, or out of site. It has absolutely nothing to do with whether a minister can touch the monstrance or not.

 

[felsguy]

I recall hearing once that this custom developed centuries ago for a practical, albeit not very theological, reason, namely so that the precious metal (gold) of the monstrance would not be tarnished by dirt and/or oils from the priest’s hands. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of this.