It brings Christ to everyone

BY JESSE DELEON

The word monstrance may suggest many different images. For the Catholic faithful, a monstrance is an open or transparent receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Prior to last year’s Feast of Corpus Christi, the creation of a new monstrance was commissioned for the 2022 Eucharistic

Congress by Bishop Michael Mulvey. Following its blessing by Bishop Mulvey at last year’s Feast of Corpus Christi, the monstrance has served as a beautiful vessel in which the soul and divinity of Jesus are adored, worshiped, and glorified.

“This monstrance was designed by a committee of priests who came together, and under their direction, Brad Snyder and Associates created the design,” said Father

Pete Elizardo about the creative process of making this monstrance.

After the priests finalized the plans for the design of the monstrance, the building process began. It was assembled in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Jaime Reyna, who was the Director of Multicultural Ministries for the diocese at the time, was entrusted with overseeing its production and eventual transport to Corpus Christi.

“I think it came to be exactly what we had hoped,” says Fr. Elizardo.

The monstrance features a Celtic cross, a circular nimbus, and a Brazilian cross, as well as twelve ruby-colored stones, which represent the twelve apostles. It also has a silver rendering of the Last Supper at its base. The undeniable beauty of the monstrance is fitting, as it carries the body of Jesus and makes it possible for so many to encounter him through adoration, reflection, and prayer.

“The monstrance can never have that oneness with the Eucharist as we can,” says Fr. Elizardo. “The hope is that by coming to adore the Lord, it creates that longing in our heart and our soul to really have that oneness with Him that we can have. That is much more than the monstrance can experience because, of course, the monstrance has no life in and of itself. The monstrance brings Christ to us so that we can truly experience the beauty of that oneness with Jesus, the one who is life himself.”

While the monstrance has played a vital role in the Feast of Corpus Christi’s many events, it will soon travel throughout the diocese, making stops at various parishes before it returns to the Corpus Christi Cathedral in time for next year’s Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. And while the creation of the monstrance has a fascinating history behind it, it has much history ahead of it as it continues to bring Christ to the diocese and to the world.