Ciborium

(Photo taken in Rome, May 2010 by Sharon Willoughby)

Saint Peter's Basilica High Altar, Rome Italy
The Baldachino Altar
Where Masses are offered by Pontiff throughout the Year
Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

~The Ciborium~

A sacred cup-like vessel that holds the Hosts once they have been consecrated.
It is similar to the chalice but covered and larger,
used to distribute Holy Communion to the faithful.
It is also used to keep the consecrated particles
of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle.
Like the chalice and paten,
it must be made of a precious metal and consecrated by a bishop.
The interior is commonly gold or gold-plated.
Its distinguishing feature from the chalice is that it is raised in the middle,
so that the remaining blessed particles may be removed easily.
Also synonymous with the baldachino
as the dome shaped permanent canopy over a high altar,
supported by columns and shaped like an inverted cup.
Modern Catholic Dictionary
Fr. John A, Hardon, S.J.