Why does the priest cover his hands while carrying the Monstrance?

[Ginger50]

During Eucharistic Adoration the priest always has his hands covered while handling the Monstrance-why is that? My son noted that he doesn’t have to cover his hands in order to distribute the body of Christ during Communion.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

1. The humeral veil is used when the Eucharist is being used in some kind of procession as a way of reinforcing the sacredness of the Eucharist and that its movement to different points must be done carefully and with utmost respectfulness.
2. The humeral veil is used for the blessing with the monstrance so that the priest’s hands do not touch the monstrance, this is symbolic that Jesus and not the priest is blessing the people.

As to why the humeral veil is not used during Mass is that the Eucharist is not normally part of a process during Mass. It also would be impossible for the priest or deacon to hand out communion if his hand is covered with the humeral veil.