Jump to: What they are · Types · Veil comparison · Size guide · Care · Colours · FAQ
What Are Embroidered Ciborium Veils?
An embroidered ciborium veil is the fabric cover placed over a ciborium — the lidded vessel that holds the consecrated hosts — while the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle. In the Catholic tradition the veil is both a sign of reverence for the Real Presence and a practical protection for the vessel. It is related to the older tabernacle veil (conopaeum), which covers the tabernacle itself; the ciborium veil covers the vessel placed inside.
The Church's General Instruction of the Roman Missal speaks of the chalice veil as a praiseworthy practice (GIRM 118); the ciborium veil is a related custom rather than a universal requirement, and it remains widespread in parishes that reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle. After Communion, the remaining hosts are placed in the ciborium, which is then covered and returned to the tabernacle.
Our collection includes 27 embroidered ciborium veils priced from $40 to $83, in white, gold, and ecru, with motifs including the IHS monogram, PAX, the Lamb, Easter themes, and Marian embroidery. Five of the veils are made in Poland.
What Types of Ciborium Veils Are Available?
Embroidered ciborium veils differ by motif, material, and colour. By motif, our collection includes embroidered IHS veils (8 designs), a PAX veil, veils with the Lamb and chalice with host, veils with the cross, ears of grain, wheat and grapes, Easter-themed veils, and a Marian veil.
By material you will find plain fabric finished with gold lace, wool-and-polyester blends, brocade, and jacquard fabrics woven with golden thread; the embroidery on several designs is worked with metallic thread. The colours in the collection are white, gold, and ecru. The same motifs appear across the range, so you can match a ciborium veil to a chalice veil or monstrance veil.
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
| Ciborium veil | Chalice veil | Monstrance veil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it covers | The reserved ciborium in the tabernacle | The prepared chalice before Mass | The monstrance during procession or blessing |
| When used | Whenever the ciborium is reserved | Before Mass, and in procession | Processions, Benediction, outdoor adoration |
| Typical colour | White (gold on solemnities) | Follows the liturgical colour of the day | White or gold |
The three veils are not interchangeable. A chalice veil is cut for the chalice and its burse; a monstrance veil is longer to cover the rays and the luna; a ciborium veil is sized for the lidded vessel. See our guides to ciborium, chalice, and monstrance veils for a side-by-side comparison.
Ciborium Veil Size Guide: How to Measure
Measure the ciborium at its widest point — usually across the rim of the bowl or the lid — and choose a veil wider than the vessel so it falls naturally over the sides. The veil should cover the lid and drape down the bowl; it should not pull tight across the top. If you are unsure, measure the lid as well as the bowl and use the larger figure.
| Veil diameter | Typical use | In our collection |
|---|---|---|
| 24 cm (9.4 in) | Small or chapel ciborium; listed as height on the Marian design | 1 design |
| 29–30 cm (11.4–11.8 in) | Standard parish ciborium | 13 designs |
| 45 cm (17.7 in) | Large ciborium | 1 design |
| 53 cm (20.9 in) | Large or cathedral ciborium | 3 designs |
Related: For the red chalice cover used at Pentecost, see our red chalice palls.
Most standard parish ciboria take a 29–30 cm veil. If your ciborium is larger, measure the lid and choose the next size up; the ciborium collection lists the dimensions of each vessel. For a fuller explanation, see our ciborium veil size guide.
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. Hand-wash in cool water with a mild soap, rinse without wringing, and dry flat away from direct sunlight. Press on the reverse side with a cool iron, using a cloth between the iron and the embroidery; never iron directly over gold thread or lace. Store the veil flat or rolled, not folded along the embroidery. See also our guide to washing liturgical linens and textiles.
Ciborium Veil Colours and the Liturgical Year
In the Latin rite the ciborium veil is traditionally white, with gold used on the most solemn occasions such as Holy Thursday. White is the colour of the Eucharist and of feasts; gold adds solemnity without changing the meaning of the veil. Unlike the chalice veil, the ciborium veil does not usually change with the liturgical season, because it covers the reserved Sacrament rather than a liturgical action. Some parishes use another colour as a local custom, but white remains the norm. Our collection is white, gold, and ecru; read more in our guide to ciborium veil colours and the liturgical year.
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 a universal requirement but remains in use in many places. A veil is not needed for validity; it is a sign of reverence.
Q: What color should the ciborium veil be?
A: In the Latin rite the ciborium veil is traditionally white, with gold used on the most solemn occasions such as Holy Thursday. Some parishes also use the liturgical colour as a local custom, but white remains the norm. Our collection is 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: Measure the ciborium at its widest point. Standard parish ciboria usually take a 29–30 cm (11.4–11.8 in) veil; larger vessels take 45 cm (17.7 in) or 53 cm (20.9 in). Each listing states the veil diameter.
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. Cotton, linen, silk, damask, and velvet are not used in this collection.
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, wheat and grapes, 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.
Q: What is the difference between a ciborium veil and a tabernacle veil?
A: The ciborium veil covers the ciborium, the vessel that holds the consecrated hosts. The tabernacle veil (conopaeum) covers the tabernacle itself. Both express reverence for the reserved Sacrament; the ciborium veil is the smaller cover used inside the tabernacle.
Q: How do I attach a ciborium veil?
A: Place the veil centred over the ciborium, with the opening or cross at the top, and let it fall evenly over the lid and bowl. Remove it before Communion and replace it when the ciborium is returned to the tabernacle.
Q: What does conopaeum mean?
A: Conopaeum is the Latin term for the tabernacle veil — the cloth that covers the tabernacle or the place where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. The word is sometimes used loosely for the ciborium veil as well.
Q: Do ciborium veils come in liturgical colors?
A: White and gold are the traditional colours for the ciborium veil. Our collection also includes ecru. Seasonal colours such as purple, red, and green are more common on chalice veils, which follow the colour of the day.
Q: Can a ciborium veil be used on a pyx?
A: A pyx is a smaller vessel used to carry Communion to the sick. A small ciborium veil can cover a large pyx if the diameter fits, but a pyx normally has its own case or burse. Choose the veil made for the vessel you will cover.
Q: Why is the ciborium veiled during adoration?
A: When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in a monstrance, the ciborium normally remains veiled in the tabernacle. The veil is not used to cover the monstrance; it keeps the reserved ciborium covered and signifies the Real Presence.
Q: How do I store a ciborium veil?
A: Store the veil flat or rolled, not folded along the embroidery, in a dry place. A linen bag or a sacristy drawer protects it from dust and creasing.
Q: Do you offer custom sizes or motifs?
A: Our listings cover 24 cm to 53 cm. If your ciborium falls outside those sizes, contact us before ordering and we will confirm whether a listed veil fits; custom sizes and motifs are not standard.
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 and embroidered lectern and pulpit covers.
Related: Under the pall, the chalice is dressed with a purificator — 22 embroidered designs from $7. For the vessel that carries Communion to the sick, see our guide to ciborium vs pyx.
Incense is burned at Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament exposed — see our liturgical incense and charcoal.
Related: For exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, see our custodias and our humeral veils for Benediction.
