Q. 1. What is the purpose of the "Ciborium?"

A. 1. In the Roman Catholic Church, the purpose of the "Ciborium" serves as a covered container to store and distribute the Consecrated Hosts from the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Ciborium resembles the shape of a Chalice but its bowl is wider than that of the Chalice. Its cover is surmounted by a cross or another Sacred design.

The ciborium (plural ciboria) is a vessel that is normally made of metal. In Ancient Greece and Rome, it was originally shaped as a drinking cup. Later, it was used and referred to as a large covered cup designed to hold hosts for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and for the storage afterwards of the Consecrated Hosts. while the ciborium is for the Consecrated Bread/Host, the Chalice is for the Consecrated wine/Blood of Christ.

In the Early Christian Church, Holy Communion was not kept in Churches for fear of sacrilege or desecration. Later, the first Ciboria were kept at homes to be handy for the Last Rites where needed. In churches, a Ciborium is usually kept in the Tabernacle or aumbry (a small recess or cupboard in the wall of a church). In some cases, it may be veiled (see photo on the above right) to indicate the presence of the Consecrated Hosts. It is typically made, or at least plated, in a precious metal.