A
Absolution – (to loose from, to free). A judicial act whereby a priest remits the sins of a penitent, who has contrition, has made confession and promises satisfaction.
Acolyte – a layman who assists in the celebration of Mass.
Adoration – the external acts of divine worship, which are directed only to God.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Prayer to Christ, who is recognized as being truly present in the Sacrament of Eucharist.
Advent – the season leading up to the birth of Christ on Dec. 25, beginning on the Sunday nearest St. Andrew’s Day (Nov. 30), which Sunday is the first day of the Church’s year.
Agnus Dei – an invocation said aloud by the celebrant and sung by the choir just before Communion at Mass.
Alb – a white linen vestment reaching from neck to ankles, principally used by the celebrant and ministers at Mass, which signifies purity of heart.
Alleluia – (“Glory to Him who is”) an expression of joy and praise found in the Psalms, which follows the second reading and prepares the assembly for the Gospel.
Alms – Gift offerings, usually contributions of money gathered during Mass, after the Profession of Faith and before the Prayer over the gifts.
Altar – a table or structure used for offering sacrifice, and 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 certainly, so be it. As a concluding word of prayers, it expressed assent to and acceptance of God’s will.
Anointing – the application of oil to persons and things. Anointing is used at baptisms, confirmation, the conferring of holy orders, and in the consecration of churches and altars, etc., and in the blessing of the font on Holy Saturday and the vigil of Pentecost.
Antiphon – a short text, usually from Scripture, sung or recited as a refrain before of after a Psalm, canticle or psalm verse in the liturgy.
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
When St. Paul repeats that he was “called” to be an apostle in an apocalyptic vision of the risen Jesus, he makes it clear that a particular calling was at the basis of his mission. An apostle is one sent, not by men, but by Jesus personally.
The first successful Christian missionary to a country is called its apostle. Such are: SS. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles; Augustine of Canterbury, of England; Patrick of Ireland; Columba of the Picts, and a number of others.
Apostolic – refers to the 12 apostles. It also characterizes certain documents, appointments or structures initiated by the Pope or the Holy See.
Apostolic Fathers – Those select Christian writers who either learned holy doctrine at the feet of the apostles or, being at least very close to them in time, exhibited a profound respect for and understanding of their teachings. See also Fathers of the Church.
Asperges – The ceremony of sprinkling the people with holy water before Mass. The first word in the Latin of the Psalm “Thou shall sprinkle me with hyssop”. Aperges originates from Latin aspergere meaning to wash or sprinkle. The act of sprinkling of the water is called aspersion.
Aspergilium – a container used for sprinkling holy water.
Aspersorium – the vessel for holy water used in the asperges.
Assembly, Liturgical – all who come together to celebrate a liturgical function form the liturgical assembly.
Baptismal Font – a receptacle for blessed water that is used in the sacrament of baptism.
Benediction – Is ordinarily an afternoon or evening devotion and consists in the singing of certain hymns, or litanies, or canticles, before the Blessed Sacrament, which is exposed upon the altar in a monstrance and is surrounded with candles.
The priest puts incense in the thurible, and waves it three times in the direction of the Blessed Sacrament, as a symbol of the people’s prayer “Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!” (Ps 140:2). The hymns usually sung are “O Salutaris Hostia” and the “Tantum Ergo,” both composed by St. Thomas Aquinas. At the end, the priest covers his shoulders, arms and hands, with a long white silk scarf, called the humeral veil, takes the monstrance in his hands, and makes the sign of the cross (the Benediction) over the kneeling congregation. The reason for the priest not touching the monstrance is that the blessing radiates from the Eucharistic Host, not the priest. All other times, it is Christ giving the blessing through the priest. The devotion closes with the singing of Psalm 116, or the hymn, “Holy God we praise thy name.” Benediction is often employed as a conclusion to other services, e.g., Vespers, Compline, the Stations of the Cross, etc., but it is also still more generally treated as a rite complete in itself.
The idea of exposing the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance was common from the beginning of the fourteenth century, while the chanting of the Litany of Loretto and other hymns in honor of our Lady can be traced to the devotional guilds of thirteenth century Italy.
Benediction Veil – also called the humeral veil; a long, narrow shawl-like vestment used at Benediction.
Blessed Sacrament – The Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, either at Mass or reserved in a special place in the Church.
Blessing – a word with a variety of meanings, yet only God blesses, for, strictly speaking, a blessing means that God looks favorably upon persons or things.
Book of the Gospels – 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 one Bread of Life, which is Christ.
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.
Canticle – a lyric or song of thanksgiving not from the Psalms and composed by a famous person of the Old or New Testament.
Cantor – person who leads the singing during the liturgy.
Cassock – 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).
Catechumen – a learner, accepted into the catechumenate, being taught the principles of Christianity to qualify for formal entry into the Church.
Catechumenate – the process of the initiation rites, in which pastoral formation by the Church aids unbaptized adults to prepare for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation.
Catechesis – religious instruction and formation for persons preparing for baptism and for the faithful in various stages of spiritual development.
Catechetical – referring to catechesis.
Catechetics – from the Greek meaning, “to sound forth,” it is 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.
Celebrant – the person who presides over the assembly and consecrates the Eucharist.
Chalice – a sacred vessel in which the Eucharistic wine in consecrated at Mass.
Chasuble – 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.
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.
Red – worn on Passion (Palm) Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and on the Feast Days of Martyrs, including the Apostles and Evangelists.
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.
Violet – worn during Advent and Lent
Rose – worn on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).
The vestments for funerals are: black, white, purple, or another color where this has been granted for use by permission of the Conference of Bishops.
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 – a sacred vessel used to hold the small 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 – 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.
Compline – also Complin, Night Prayer, Prayers at the End of the Day) is the final church service (or Office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours.
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.
Concelebrant – the deacon, priest, or bishop who officiates at a liturgical function.
Confession – part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not the term for the sacrament itself.
Cope – 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.
Dalmatic – a loose fitting robe with open sides and wide sleeves worn by a deacon on more solemn feasts; it takes its color from the liturgical feast as listed above.
Deacon – an ordained minister who assists the celebrant during the Liturgy of the Word and at the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Deacons can also provide assistance to the pastor in baptismal and/or marriage ministry.
Decanter or Flagon – 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.
Disciple – one who follows the teachings of Jesus.
Divine Office – The public, official, and common prayer of the Church. “By tradition going back to early Christian times, the divine office is devised so that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praises of God. Therefore, when this wonderful song of praise is rightly performed by priests and others who are deputed for this purpose by the Church’s ordinance, or by the faithful praying together with the priest in the approved form, then it is truly the voice of the bride addressed to her bridegroom; it is the very prayer which Christ Himself, together with His body, addresses to the Father.”[1]
Ecclesiastical – refers to official structures or legal and organizational aspects of the Church
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
Fathers of the Church – The Fathers of the Church were men of intellect whose writings, sermons and holy lives influenced the definition, defense and propagation of the Faith. As a precise group in history, they are noted for their antiquity (thee last of the Western Fathers being Gregory the Great, who died in A.D. 604, and the last in the East considered John Damascene, who died in 749) erudition, orthodoxy and personal sanctity.
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
GIRM: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal.
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
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.
I
Intinction – one of the methods whereby Communion is received under both species at the same time. Hosts are dipped into the Precious Blood and administered to the recipients who hold the Communion place under their chins.
L
Lectionary – contains the scripture readings for Mass.
Liturgy – A public service, duty, or work. In Scripture it refers to religious duties to be performed by priests and levites in the Temple, especially those related to the Sacrafice.
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
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.
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.
Lunette or Lunula – A crescent-shaped device or a double circle of gold or metal gilt, by means of which the Host is held securely and upright when exposed in a monstrance.
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 – a headdress worn at solemn liturgical functions by bishops, abbots and, in certain cases, other clerics.
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.
Monstrance – A vessel in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to the view of the people at Benediction and Exposition and carried in procession on Corpus Christi. It consists of a broad base, a stem with a knop, and receptacle, closed with glass or crystal;, within which the Host in its lunette is fixed, and which is usually surrounded by metal rays; these should be at least silver and surmounted by a cross.
N
Nave – the body of a church reserved for the people.
Novena – A prayer for some special object or occasion extended over a period of nine days. It may be carried on in common in church but is usually a private devotion.
Nun – a member of a religious community of women, especially a cloistered one, living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
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.
Pall – 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.
Parish Administrator – when a parish is without a pastor or a pastor is unable to fulfill his pastoral responsibilities, a priest administrator is appointed by the bishop and is bound by the same obligations and enjoys the same rights as a pastor.
Parish Director (Sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Parish Administrator or Parish Assistant) – this position is held by a layperson and provides spiritual leadership and pastoral care to parishioners, oversees the general operation of the parish, and coordinates the ministries of worship, education/formation, human concerns and administration. The parish director connects the local parish to neighboring churches, the diocese, and the universal Church. The director collaborates with the assisting priest assigned to help in the pastoral care of the parish and is accountable to the supervising priest assigned to oversee the pastoral care of the parish.
Pastor – a priest appointed by a bishop to attend to the pastoral care of one or more parishes. The pastor fulfills his responsibilities in the areas of teaching, sanctifying and administration with the cooperation of and assistance from other priests as well as deacons and/or lay persons. While the ultimate responsibility for the parish ministry rests with the pastor, he relies on a parish pastoral council for assistance in pastoral planning and proposing practical conclusions about the parish’s pastoral work.
Pastoral Associate – this term is used in a variety of ways throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In some cases, the volunteer or part-time employee who visits the sick is called a pastoral associate.
In other instances, a pastoral associate is a person working full time and is certified by the archdiocese. A certified pastoral associate is a generalist serving in a key parish leadership position. He/she assists the pastor or parish director in the daily operation of the parish. This may include the direct coordination of one or more specific ministries, such as sacramental planning, educational formation, pastoral ministry and parish administration. The pastoral associate is hired directly by the parish and is accountable to the pastor or parish director.
Pastoral Team – refers to a group of priests assigned to the pastoral care of a parish or parishes with one of them as moderator. All priests who are members of the team have the same responsibilities and rights as a pastor.
Paten – a saucer-like disk that holds the bread that becomes the Body of Christ.
Patrology – Otherwise known as Patristics, this is the study of the Christian writers of antiquity who were accepted as orthodox.
Penitential Rite – a general acknowledgement of sinfulness by the entire assembly, accompanied by requests for God’s mercy and forgiveness.
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 clothe used to cleanse the chalice.
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 charism, 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 charisms 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. Usually there is a distinction in that sisters are religious women with simple vows; nuns have taken solemn vows.
Responsorial Psalm – the psalm that is spoken or sung between the first and second readings. The response is repeated after each verse.
Revelation, Divine –The word “revelation ” suggests the removal of a veil from some truth that is hidden. The same idea is attached to the corresponding Greek word àποκάλνψις (Matt 16:17). We speak of natural revelation, indicated in Rom 1:19, but revelation, in its strict sense, signifies the manifestation of truth by Divine intervention outside the order of nature (1 Cor- 2:10).
Revelation is supernatural substantially if the truth revealed exceeds for its comprehension the power of created intelligence, e.g., -the doctrine of the Trinity; it is supernatural modally if the manner of revelation is supernatural, though the truth revealed may not exceed the power of the human mind to discover, the goodness of God,” the immortality of the soul, etc.[2]
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.
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.
Stole – a long, cloth scarf; according to the manner in which it is work, 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 – a wide-sleeved garment, slipped over the head. Covering the shoulders and coming down below the hips; it is worn over the cassock.
V
Vespers – Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, liturgies of the canonical hours.
Vow – a deliberate, voluntary promise made to God. Vows may be simple or solemn.
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 – the skullcap worn by the Pope (red), bishops (purple) and cardinals (red).
[1] Sacrosanctum Concilium, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Second Vatican Council, December 4, 1963, §84.