What Are Embroidered Ciborium Veils?
An embroidered ciborium veil is a fabric cover made for a ciborium — the covered vessel that holds the consecrated hosts. The ciborium may be veiled to indicate the presence of the consecrated hosts.
In our collection the veils are made of plain fabric finished with gold lace, wool-and-polyester blends, brocade, and jacquard fabric with golden thread, and several designs are embroidered with metallic thread. We carry 27 embroidered ciborium veils priced from $40 to $83, in white, gold, and ecru, with motifs that include the IHS monogram, PAX, the Lamb, the cross with ears of grain and grapevine, Easter themes, and Marian embroidery.
Veil sizes follow the ciboria they cover: standard veils fit vessels about 29–30 cm (11.4–11.8 in) in diameter, and larger covers measure 45 cm (17.7 in) and 53 cm (20.9 in). Five of the veils, including IHS, PAX, and Marian designs, are made in Poland.
What Types of Ciborium Veils Are Available?
Embroidered ciborium veils differ by motif, material, and color. By motif, our collection includes embroidered IHS veils (8 designs embroidered with the IHS monogram), a PAX veil, veils with the Lamb and chalice with host, veils with the cross, ears of grain, and grapevine, Easter-themed veils, and a Marian veil.
By material you will find plain-fabric veils finished with gold lace, wool-and-polyester blends, brocade veils, and jacquard fabrics woven with golden thread; the embroidery on several designs is worked with metallic thread. The colors in the collection are white, gold, and ecru.
How Do I Choose the Right Ciborium Veil?
- Match the diameter. Standard veils cover ciboria about 29–30 cm (11.4–11.8 in) — the standard ciborium size — while larger covers measure 45 cm (17.7 in) and 53 cm (20.9 in). Each listing states the diameter of the veil.
- Pick the motif. IHS, PAX, the Lamb, the cross with ears of grain and grapevine, Easter themes, and Marian embroidery are all in the collection.
- Choose the finish. Plain fabric with gold lace for a classic look, or brocade and jacquard with golden thread for a richer one.
- Check the care note. The wool-and-polyester blends and brocade veils are described in their listings as suitable for standard washing and ironing.
Ciborium Veil vs. Chalice Veil vs. Monstrance Veil
The three veils in a sacristy cover three different vessels. A ciborium veil is made for the ciborium — the lidded vessel that holds the consecrated hosts. A chalice veil covers the chalice, the cup that holds the Eucharistic wine at Mass. A monstrance veil is made for the monstrance, the vessel used to display the Blessed Sacrament during Eucharistic adoration and Benediction.
In our store you will find chalice veils and monstrance veils alongside the ciboria that ciborium veils are made for.
How Do You Care for Ciborium Veils?
Care information for each ciborium veil is given in its product listing. Five veils in our range are described there as suitable for standard washing and ironing — among them the wool-and-polyester blends and brocade models — while the embroidery is worked with metallic thread and the plain-fabric veils are finished with gold lace. See also our guide to washing liturgical linens and textiles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ciborium Veils
Q: Do I need a veil for my ciborium?
A: A ciborium may be veiled to indicate the presence of the consecrated hosts. The practice continues the older tradition of the tabernacle veil (conopaeum), which is no longer required but remains in use in many places.
Q: What color should the ciborium veil be?
A: The tabernacle-veil tradition used white, gold, or the liturgical color of the day, and the custom continues in many places. Our embroidered ciborium veils are made in white, gold, and ecru.
Q: What is the difference between a ciborium and a tabernacle?
A: A ciborium is the vessel that holds the consecrated hosts; a tabernacle is the fixed, locked receptacle in which the Eucharist is reserved. After Mass, the ciborium with the remaining hosts is placed inside the tabernacle.
Q: Who is allowed to touch a ciborium?
A: Sacred vessels are blessed by a priest before use, and after Communion the paten or ciborium is purified by the priest, a deacon, or a duly instituted acolyte (Redemptionis Sacramentum 118–119).
Q: What size ciborium veil do I need?
A: Standard ciborium veils fit vessels about 29–30 cm (11.4–11.8 in) in diameter; our collection also includes 45 cm (17.7 in) and 53 cm (20.9 in) covers, and one Marian design is listed as 24 cm (9.4 in) high. Each listing states the diameter of the veil.
Q: What is a ciborium veil made of?
A: In our range, veils are made of plain fabric finished with gold lace, wool-and-polyester blends, brocade, and jacquard fabric with golden thread; the embroidery is worked with metallic thread.
Q: Can I wash a ciborium veil?
A: Five veils in our range — among them the wool-and-polyester blends and brocade models — are described in their listings as suitable for standard washing and ironing. Follow the care note in the individual listing.
Q: Are ciborium veils made in Poland?
A: Five of the veils in our collection — including IHS, PAX, and Marian designs — are made in Poland.
Q: What symbols appear on embroidered ciborium veils?
A: In our collection you will find the IHS monogram, the PAX symbol, the Lamb with chalice and host, the cross with ears of grain and grapevine, Easter motifs, and Marian embroidery.
Q: How soon will my ciborium veil ship?
A: Items kept in stock are shipped within 72 hours; if a veil has to be made, allow an additional 3–14 business days before dispatch. FedEx delivery normally takes 2–5 business days. Full details are on our shipping information page.
Browse Our Ciborium Veil Collection
View our selection of embroidered ciborium veils in plain fabric, wool-and-polyester blends, brocade, and jacquard, in three size groups — 29–30 cm (11.4–11.8 in), 45 cm (17.7 in), and 53 cm (20.9 in) — and prices from $40 to $83. For a complete set of sacred-vessel coverings, see our chalice veils and monstrance veils; the ciboria themselves are in our ciborium collection. To dress the altar in the same embroidery, see our embroidered altar tablecloths.
To dress the ambo in the same color, see our embroidered lectern and pulpit covers.
