A lunette, also referred to as a luna or lunula, is an liturgical item used by in the Catholic Church for the exposition of the Host.Lunette at OED; retrieved 16 December 2018
Description
The lunette can take various forms. One is that of a flat, circular container, composed of a ring of metal (usually lined with gold) faced with a glass or crystal disc,This form of lunette commonly has glass both front and back (see Catholic Encyclopaedia 1913), though a statement in 1871 by the Sacred Congregation of Rites decreed that the lunette should have a metal back, with glass at the front only.(see Walsh). which creates a round, flat, glass-enclosed space for the Eucharistic Host.John Walsh The Mass And Vestments Of The Catholic Church Liturgical, Doctrinal, Historical And Archeological (1916) p. 326 ISBN (none) This is used for exposition and Benediction services.Ryan, G Thomas: The Sacristy Manual (2011) Liturgy Training Publications p111-112
Another form is that of a crescent- or ring-shaped clip made of gold, often on a small stand, serving to hold the Host upright. Guide to Liturgical Objects: Monstrance/p.3 at ossory.ie; Retrieved 14 July 2025
The lunette, containing the consecrated Host, is placed in the centre of a vessel known as a monstrance, or ostensory, which can be mounted or carried within the church.What is a monstrance? at Catholic World Mission; retrieved 14 July 2025 The lunette is often kept in another object when not on display, sometimes called a lunette or lunula case, which is usually a round box often on a small stand, serving to hold the Host upright.O'Brien, William The Sacred Vessels at sanctamissa.org; retrieved 16 December 2018 (dead link)
The lunette resembles another liturgical object, the pyx or carrying case, but their functions are distinct; the pyx serves to transport the Host outside the church in order to take communion to an alternate venue, while the lunette remains within the church and serves to display the Host to onlookers. All of these objects, whenever they contain a consecrated host, are normally kept within the church tabernacle when they are not in use. The tabernacle may be behind the main altar, at a side altar, or within a special Eucharistic chapel.
Footnotes
References
Further reading Lunette, Catholic Encyclopaedia 1913, at wikisource
External links "Luna: Have You Ever Wondered?" St Matthias Catholic Church, Crown Point Indiana.