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In the middle ages, as it is now, the Priest genuflects to adore the Body and Blood of Christ after he has spoken the words of consecration, "This is my Body, This is my Blood..." He faced east because that was the direction of the sunrise, which symbolized the resurrection of Christ and the presence of God. Today it is often said that it is wrong to face away from the congregation, but since prayer and sacrifice were offered to God, it was concluded that the Priest should join the people in this attitude of facing east.

With this attitude, however, the people could not see the consecrated host and cup, so they would ask him to hold it up high, so they could join in the Adoration of the Body and Blood of Christ. Gradually, in time, the idea emerged of showing the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass. It was about the 13th century that artists started creating a "monstrance" in which Jesus Christ's Body could be viewed and adored. This practice of adoration came after the custom the people already had of venerating the relics of saints which were exhibited in glass containers mounted in elaborate boxes of precious woods and trimmed with golad and silver and gems.

The showing of the very Body of Christ became much more important and helped the people renew their faith in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, because now they could see Him more.

Summarized from, "A Short History of the Mass" by Alfred mcBride, O.Praem, St. Anthony Messenger Press, Cincinnati, Ohio. pp. 70-71