Absolution: The act by which a priest, acting as an agent of Christ, grants forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Acolyte: Person who assists in the celebration of Mass.
Ad Limina: The abbreviated form the Latin phrase ad limina Aposto- lorum is translated "to the thresholds of the apostles." It is a term descriptive of the quinquennial (five-year) reports that all bishops and military vicars are required to make to the Holy See.
Adoration: The external acts of reverent admiration or honor given to a thing or person.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Prayer to Christ, who is recognized as being truly present in the Sacrament of Eucharist.
Alb: A long, white garment that can be used by all liturgical ministers; it is a reminder of the baptismal garment worn when the new Christian "puts on Christ."
Alleluia Acclamation: This acclamation of praise follows the second reading and prepares the assembly for the Gospel.
Altar: A freestanding structure that serves as the main focal point of the congregation. It is the table where Eucharistic elements are consecrated and is the center of worship.
Ambo: (also may be referred to as pulpit) A place from where scriptures are proclaimed and homilies may be preached. It is a main focal point of the church and a lector stands at or behind it when reading aloud.
Ambry: A recess that holds holy oils that are blessed and consecrated at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week.
Amen: A Hebrew word meaning truly, it is true. As a concluding word of prayers, it expressed assent to and acceptance of God's will.
Apostle: "one sent." This normally refers to the 12 men chosen by Jesus to be the bearers of his teachings to the world.
Simon - Jesus renamed him Peter
Andrew
James the Greater
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Matthew
James
Thaddeus
Simon the Zealot
Judas Iscariot
Matthias - was chosen to fill the place of Judas
Apostolic: Refers to the 12 apostles. It also characterizes certain documents, appointments or structures initiated by the Pope or the Holy See.
Archbishop: This title, used in the Western Church from the ninth
century, is given to a bishop who governs one or more dioceses that form an ecclesiastical province. As such he presides over the metropolitan see, which is usually that of the principal city of the territory.
Archdiocese: The territory, ecclesiastical province of jurisdiction,
governed by an archbishop is an archdiocese.
Aspergilium: A container used for sprinkling holy water.
Assembly: Those gathered to celebrate the liturgy.
Associate Pastor: A priests who assists a pastor in the pastoral care of a parish or parishes.
Auxiliary Bishop: A bishop assigned to a diocese or archdiocese to assist its residential bishop is usually an auxiliary bishop. Auxiliary refers to jurisdiction, not to sacramental ordination. Someone may be named an auxiliary bishop, but he is ordained a bishop.
B
Baptismal Font: A receptacle for water that is used in the sacrament of baptism.
Benediction Veil: Also called the humeral veil; a long, narrow shawl-like vestment used at Benediction.
Bishop: From the Greek word meaning "overseer," a bishop is a supreme, divinely instituted member of the Church hierarchy. He has received the highest of the holy orders, is invested with the authority to govern a diocese, and is a successor of the Apostles. Bishops are responsible directly to the Holy Father for the affairs of their diocese.
Blessed Sacrament: The Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, either at Mass or reserved in a special place in the Church.
Book of the Gospel: Contains only the Gospel readings; used on solemn occasions and is carried by the deacon, or in his absence, the reader.
Brazier: A metal pan used to hold incense.
Breaking of the Bread: The celebrant recreates the gestures of Christ at the Last Supper when he broke the bread to give to his disciples. This action signifies that in communion, the many are made one in the Bread of Life, which is Christ.
C
Canon: Greek for rule, norm, standard, measure. Designates the Canon of Sacred Scripture, the list of books recognized by the Church as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Canon Law: The codified body of general laws governing the Church.
Cantor: Person who leads the singing during the liturgy.
Cardinal: "The cardinals of the Holy Roman Church constitute a special college whose responsibility is to provide for the election of the Roman Pontiff in accord with the norm of special law; the cardinals assist the Roman Pontiff with questions of major importance; they do so individually when they assist the Roman Pontiff especially in the daily care of the universal Church by means of the different offices which they perform" (New Code of Canon Law-1983). Today, according to canon law, only ordained priests may be elevated to the College of Cardinals.
Cassock (kass-uhk): A long, black garment worn by altar servers under the surplice; also worn by diocesan priests (black); monsignors (rose); bishops (violet), cardinals (red), and the Pope (white).
Catechesis (cat-uh-key-sis): Religious instruction and formation for persons preparing for baptism and for the faithful in various stages of spiritual development.
Catechetical (cat-uh-kit-uh-kal): Referring to catechesis.
Catechetics (cat-uh-kit-iks): From the Greek meaning, "to sound forth," is for the procedure for teaching religion.
Cathedra: The archbishop's chair. It is the symbol of his role of chief teacher and pastor of the local church. The word is Greek and means chair. The word cathedral comes from cathedra, meaning, literally, chair of the bishop.
Cathedral: The official church of a bishop who has jurisdiction over a
diocese is the cathedral. It is located within the diocese, generally in the see city in which the bishop exercises his authority and conducts worship for all under his jurisdiction. (As the principal church of a diocese it need not be the largest or the most beautiful.)
Celebrant: The person who presides over the assembly and consecrates the Eucharist.
Chalice (chal-is): The large cup used to hold the wine that becomes the Blood of Christ.
Chancellor: In the Church, the chancellor is appointed in accord with canon law by the bishop of a diocese. His/her title is "diocesan chancellor," and he/she serves as an ecclesiastical notary. The chancellor's duties include the supervision of the diocesan archives, the authentication of documents, and the drawing up of written reports on the official government of the diocese.
Chancery: The chancery is the diocesan office where the administration of a diocese is carried on and where records, documents, and proceedings of diocesan courts are kept.
Chasuble (chaz-uh-buhl): The sleeveless outer garment, slipped over the head, hanging down from the shoulder covering the alb and stole of the priest; it is the proper Mass vestment for the main celebrant and its color varies according to the feast.
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Green: Worn during "Ordinary Time." Ordinary does not mean ordinary in the sense of common or normal. Ordinary means counting, as in the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. |
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Red: Worn on Passion (Palm) Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and on the Feast Days of Martyrs, including the Apostles and Evangelists. |
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White: Worn during the Christmas and Easter seasons and celebration of Mary, the Angels, the Saints who were not martyrs, All Saints, Birth of John the Baptist, Chair of Peter, Conversion of Paul, and St. John the Evangelist. |
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Violet: Worn during Advent and Lent. |
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Rose: Worn on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday). |
Chirograph: a papal document which bears the signature of the Pope and which provides instructions on an administrative order.
Chrism: A specially perfumed olive oil that is consecrated for use at the baptism, confirmation, and holy orders. Chrism also is used to anoint altars and walls during church or cathedral dedications. This is only time the consecrated oil is not used on a human being.
Ciborium (si-bore-ee-um): A vessel used to hold the Hosts, which will be used for communion; some are cup-like and others are bowl/plate-like; they are also used to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.
Cincture (singk-sure): A long cord used for fastening some albs at the waist; it holds the loose-fitting type of alb in place and is used to adjust it to the proper length; it is usually white, although the liturgical color of the day may be used.
Coadjutor: A bishop who assists another bishop and has the right of succession.
Communion Cups: Chalice-like vessels used at communion when the people receive from the cup; they are kept on the Credence Table and brought to the altar at communion time.
Concelebrants: The priests and bishops who join the celebrant in celebrating the Mass.
Confession: Part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not the term for the sacrament itself.
Consecrator: According to the present discipline of the Church the office of consecrator is reserved to the Roman pontiff, who performs the consecration in person or delegates it to another (Benedict XIV, Const. "In postremo", 10 October 1756, sect. 17).
Cope (kope): A cape-like garment that is put over the shoulders and hangs to the ankles; it is open in the front and worn by a priest or deacon in processions at Benediction and in other services.
Cross/Crucifix: An object is a crucifix only if it depicts Christ on a cross; otherwise it is a cross.
D
Dalmatic (dahl-mat-ik): A loose fitting robe with open sides and wide sleeves worn by a deacon on more solemn feasts; it is of the same color as the vestments of the celebrant.
Deacon: Literally, a "servant," the diaconate is the first of the major
orders of holy orders, but the lowest in the hierarchical order of the
Church. In the Sacrament of Holy Orders the diaconate is received prior
to ordination to the priesthood. (This step is called the "transitional
diaconate.")
The "permanent diaconate" was reestablished in 1967; a permanent deacon is thus distinguished from a candidate for the order of priest. Dioceses are permitted to make their own decisions (within certain guidelines) relative to the selection, training, and role of the permanent deacon in the community of the Church.
Duties of transitional deacons and permanent deacons are similar. Vatican II declares: "It is the duty of the deacon, to the extent that he has been authorized by competent authority, to administer baptism solemnly, to be custodian and dispenser of the Eucharist, to assist at and bless marriages in the name of the Church, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to read the sacred Scripture to people, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside at the worship and prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, and to officiate at funeral and burial services."
Deanery: A district of the diocese, usually a territorial division, is a
deanery. A diocese must be divided into deaneries by canon law.
Decanter or Flagon (flag-un): The bottle- or pitcher-like vessel used to hold the wine, which will be consecrated at Mass for the communion of the people; it is brought forth with the gifts.
Diocese: A diocese is the territory under the jurisdiction of a bishop,
decided canonically only by the Holy See, which comprises the institutions and properties of the Church and the people within the area. The diocese in term is divided into deaneries each with several parishes, and each having its own proper pastor or administrator appointed by the diocesan bishop.
Disciple: One who follows the teachings of Jesus.
E
Ecclesiastical (ee-clee-zee-as-tuh-cal): Refers to official structures or legal and organizational aspects of the Church.
Ecumenism (eh-kew-meh-nizm) / Interdenominational / Ecumenical (ek-you-meh-nikal) Movement: A movement for spiritual understanding and unity among Christians and their churches. The term also is extended to apply to efforts toward greater understanding and cooperation between Christians and members of other faiths.
Eucharistic Prayer: The prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. It is the center of the celebration. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church believes that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
F
Friar: A member of a mendicant community, such as Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites. They live a rule of communal poverty, living primarily from the freewill offerings of the faithful, engage in various forms of pastoral ministry, and belong to a religious order that is a wider community beyond the local house, in contrast to a monastery, which is self-contained, even if in federation with others.
G
Gloria: Ancient hymn of praise in which the Church glorifies God. It is used on all Sundays, except for those during Advent and Lent, and at solemn celebrations. The text originates from the Christmas narrative in the Gospel of Luke. (2:14: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.")
H
Hierarchy: The hierarchy of the Church has two distinctions. First, by reason of holy orders, the hierarchy is composed of bishops, priests, and deacons. Second, by reason of jurisdiction, the hierarchy is made up of the pope and the bishops under his authority.
Holy See: The Holy See is the composite of authority, jurisdiction, and sovereignty vested in and exercised by the pope and his governing groups in the spiritual and temporal governance and guidance of the universal Church. It is located in Rome, chiefly in the Vatican State.
Homily: A reflection by the celebrant or other minister on the Scripture readings and on the application of the texts in the daily lives of the assembled community.
Hymnal/Missalette: Contains all parts of the Mass for a specific season in the liturgical year, including instructions on when to stand, sit, or kneel.
L
Lectionary: Contains the scripture readings for Mass.
Liturgy: This word itself means public service or function done on
behalf of the people. The sacred liturgy is the public worship that Christ,
as divine Head of the Church, gives to God the Father, and that which the faithful of Christ give to Christ and through Him to God, the Father. The liturgical worship of the Church is made up of the sacrifice of the Mass, the sacraments, the Divine Office, and the sacramentals.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: The section of the celebration when the gifts of bread and wine are prepared and the Eucharistic Prayer is proclaimed by the celebrant, and the Blessed Sacrament is distributed to the assembly. Liturgy of the Word: The occasion during Mass when readings from the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon. On Sundays and major feasts, there are three readings: First reading: from the Old Testament Second reading: from the Epistles Gospel Lord's Prayer (Our Father): The prayer of petition for both daily food (which means the Eucharistic bread for Christians) and the forgiveness of sins.
M
Magisterium of the Church: Magisterium of the Church is the power given by Christ to the Church together with infallibility by which the Church teaches authoritatively the revealed truth of the Scripture and holds forth the truth of tradition for salvation.
Mass: The common name for the Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church. Also referred to as Eucharist, Celebration of the Liturgy, Eucharistic celebration, Sacrifice of the Mass, Lord's Supper.
Miter (my-ter): A headdress worn at solemn liturgical functions by bishops, abbots and, in certain cases, other clerics.
Moderator of the Curia: The Moderator of the Curia is a bishop
or priest, appointed by the diocesan bishop, who is concerned primarily
with administrative matters and with supervising those working in the
diocesan curia (the personnel and offices assisting the diocesan bishop in directing the pastoral activity, administration, and exercise of judicial power of his diocese).
Monk: A member of a monastic community such as Benedictine, Cathusian, Trappist, etc. Monks tend to live lives more separate from society to pursue, under a formal rule, a life of prayer and work for God's glory, for personal sanctification, and for the good of the Church and world. Monastic communities may have some outside works connected with them, such as a college or retreat house, but their primary ministry is prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours.
Monsignor: Monsignor is an honorary ecclesiastical title granted by the Pope to some diocesan priests. The title carries no additional authority or responsibility but is given as a sign of recognition of their service to the church.
N
National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB): The National Conference of Catholic Bishops is the national ecclesiastical body made up of the bishops of the United States through which the juridical authority of the Roman Catholic Church is exercised officially for the entire country. All bishops who have served or are now serving the Church in the United States and its territories and possessions are members and have voting rights. Its general headquarters are located at: 3211 Fourth Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194, Phone: (202) 541-3000.
Nuncio: (Lat., nuntius, "messenger"), a specific type of papal legate (Code of Canon Law, cans. 363-67) who represents the Apostolic See to a state or civil government and also represents the pope to particular churches in that state or nations, in contrast to papal legates (called apostolic delegates) who relate only to particular churches.
O
Ordinary: In Catholic ecclesiastical usage, ordinaries are diocesan bishops or their equivalent, their vicars general and Episcopal vicars, and major superiors of clerical religious orders, congregations or societies. (Always treat as a job description, never as a title before a name.)
Before the new Code of Canon Law was issued in 1983, ordinary often
was used to refer exclusively to those who were heads of dioceses or
major superiors of religious orders. The new code redefined the term,
extending its meaning to cover vicars general and Episcopal vicars. The proper term now for the chief bishop of a diocese is the diocesan bishop or residential bishop.
Ordination: The act that enables a person to act on behalf of the Church through word, sacrament, and leadership. A bishop is ordained to represent Christ. Priests share in the bishop's role of representing Christ the Shepherd. Deacons collaborate with the bishop in his role as representative of Christ the Servant.
P
Pall (pahl): The stiff, square, white cover that is placed over the paten when it is on the chalice.
Parish: A specific community of the Christian faithful within a diocese which has its own church building and is under the authority of a pastor who is responsible for providing the faithful with ministerial service.
Parochial Vicar: A parochial vicar or several of them can be associated with the pastor. The term replaces the titles "associate pastor, "assistant pastor," or "curate," although the terms may persist in some areas.
Pastor: A parish priest is one who is designated as the pastor of a parish. A parish priest has ordinary power and is not simply a delegate of the ordinary. As such he rules the parish in his own name but under the delegated authority of the bishop.
Pastoral Administrator: This term refers to a religious or lay
person who assumes the administrative duties of a pastor in a parish where a priest is not in residence. A priest is appointed to perform sacramental services in that parish.
Paten (pat-en): A saucer-like disk that holds the bread that becomes the Body of Christ.
Penitential Rite: A general acknowledgement of sinfulness by the entire assembly, accompanied by requests for God's mercy and forgiveness.
Pope: The pope as the sovereign pontiff is the visible head of the Church, the mystical body of Christ. He is the infallible guide of the spiritual welfare of the Church, and in him is recognized, by the clergy and faithful, the fullness of jurisdiction in governing the body of the Church.
Priest: A priest is one who is ordained or on whom the priesthood has been conferred, who offers sacrifice, and who has the threefold power of teaching, ministering, and governing. Vatican II teaches: "Though all the faithful can baptize, the priest alone can complete the building up of the Body in the Eucharistic Sacrifice."
Profession of Faith: The assembly joins to recall and proclaim the fundamental teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. The Profession of Faith is also called the Creed. Purificator: A white cloth used to cleanse the chalice.
R
Religious Brother: A man who takes vows and promises to use his talents to serve God wherever the community decides he is needed. Brothers do not get married, live in religious communities, and have many different jobs. They are not ordained.
Religious Order: A community of people with a particular chrism, as expressed by its founder, and recognized by the Church is a religious order. There are religious orders of priests and brothers, and religious orders of sisters. Religious communities may also have lay associates. Some religious orders are dedicated primarily to prayer (contemplative), while others focus on apostolic (active) ministries.
Religious Sister: A woman who belongs to a religious community. Religious sisters make vows and serve God according to the chrisms of their communities. Sisters are not married and work in many different jobs, according to the needs of the religious community and/or the needs of the local area. A sister in a cloistered religious community is a nun.
Responsorial Psalm: The psalm that is spoken or sung between the first and second readings. The response is repeated after each verse.
Roman Curia: The official collective name for the administrative agencies and courts, and their officials, who assist the Pope in governing the Church. Members are appointed and granted authority by the Pope.
S
Sacramentary: Contains the opening prayer, prayer over the gifts, prayer after communion, and solemn blessings, Eucharistic prayers and prefaces for all of the Masses, including special occasions.
Sanctuary: The part of the church where the altar is located.
Second Vatican Council: A major meeting of the bishops of the world convened by Pope John XXIII to bring about a renewal of the Church for the second half of the 20th century. It ran from 1962 to 1965 and produced important documents involving liturgy, ecumenism, communications and other areas.
Sister: Sister is the name of the women members of a religious community or order. Usually there is this distinction: sisters are religious women with simple vows; nuns have taken solemn vows.
Stole: A long, cloth scarf; according to the manner in which it is worn, it is the mark of the office of the priest or deacon. A priest wears it around the neck, letting it hang down in front. A deacon wears it over his left shoulder, fastening it at his right side. Surplice (sir-plis): A wide-sleeved garment, slipped over the head. Covering the shoulders and coming down below the hips, it is worn over the cassock.
U
Unit: As used at the Michigan Catholic Conference, the term refers to churches, schools, diocesan offices, and other institutions that participate in any of the MCC Services programs.
United States Catholic Conference (USCC): As a service agency for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the USCC acts to carry out the civic and religious programs of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It is distinct from the National Conference in its purpose and function. Its general headquarters are located at: 3211 Fourth Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194. Phone: (202) 541-3000.
V
Vatican: (1) The residence of the Supreme Pontiff in Vatican State. (2) The shortened term often applied to the state of Vatican City. (3) Descriptive term for the official position of the Roman Catholic Church on matters of religion and other issues. (4) Term sometimes applied, but not properly, to pronouncements of the Holy See on questions of doctrine or administration.
Vatican Council II: The greatest religious event of the twentieth
century, whose teachings and clarifications have yet to reach their full
impact, was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council, called Vatican II or the
Second Vatican Council. The Council was opened by Pope John XXIII in
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, on October 11, 1962. It was the first such council convened in the twentieth century, and only the second since the Protestant Reformation.
Vatican State, City of: The capital city of the Vatican State, which
includes the principal territory of the surrounding city of Rome, was
recognized as sovereign land of the Roman Catholic Church by the
Lateran Treaty. It includes the Vatican palace, its gardens, the basilica
and piazza of St. Peter's, and other official buildings on a plot of land
about one square mile with approximately 1000 residents. It is properly
called the papal state and is governed by the pope as the sovereign ruler with executive, legislative, and judicial powers exercised through commissions or delegated groups.
Vicar: In general, vicar is the prefixed title of a cleric who takes the place of another according to canon law and exercises authority in an ecclesiastical office in his name in accord with limitations laid down in the law. The Vicar General is one who is appointed within a diocese and who exercises the habitual powers granted to the bishop by indult.
Vicariate: The office, jurisdiction, or tenure of a vicar.
W
Washing of Hands: An expression of the desire for inward purification. The celebrant washes his hands in symbolic cleansing to prepare himself just as the gifts have been prepared as an offering to the Lord.
Z
Zucchetto (zoo-ket-oh): The skullcap worn by the Pope (white), bishops (purple) and cardinals (red).
Based on definitions contained in The Catholic Encyclopedia
(Thomas Nelson Publishers), The Official Catholic Directory
(P. J. Kenedy & Sons), and Stylebook on Religion
(Catholic News Service )
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