Why is the monstrance sometimes held with bare hands and sometimes with covered hands?

Catholic.id Editors · Reviewed against the Catechism

The short answer

The humeral veil is symbolic: it draws attention to the sacredness of the Blessed Sacrament. No one is truly worthy to hold the Sacrament, veil or not — and our Lord handed the Eucharist to his apostles without one.

A symbol

The humeral veil draws attention to the sacredness of the Blessed Sacrament. Its use is symbolic.

No one is worthy

No one is worthy to hold the Blessed Sacrament, even with several veils. Our Lord himself handed the Eucharist to the apostles without such things.

The Eucharist benediction adoration liturgy vestments

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