Glossary of Roman Catholic Terms Flashcards
Rinsing the mouth, eucharistic vessels and fingers after touching the sacred host
Ablution, abluere
Sacramental remission of sin
Absolution
Peoples response, in liturgical worship
Acclamation
Altar-server at the Mass
Acolyte
Lamb of God
Agnus Dei
White undergarment of linen, reaching to the feet
Alb; Tunica alba
Praise ye God
Alleluia
An elevated place or structure on which sacrifices are offered or at which religious rites are performed; in the Christian faith, a table on which the Eucharist or Holy Communion is offered
Altar, altaria
A raised place between the sanctuary and nave; for reading of the lessons/sermons
Ambo
So be it, let it happen
Amen
Shoulder-cloth. Rectangular linen cloth with straps (30 x 20) worm under the alb
Amice
Semicircle end of the presbytery
Apse, apsis
The head of the archdiocese
Archbishop
A geographical grouping of one or more diocese under the jurisdiction of an archbiship
Archdiocese
Holy Water
Asperges
The head of a territorial unit of the church
Bishop
An inclination of the body made while standing during Liturgical Prayer
Bow
A cloth that has been laid upon the grave of a saint, and then used as a substitute for a relic
Brandeun
The fractioning of the altar breads before the communion
Breaking of Bread
In the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination
Brother
Earth interment
Burial
Precentor; leads congregational responsorial hymns and psalms
Cantor
A dignity conferred upon Bishops or Priests making them princes of the Church
Cardinal
A garment reaching the ankles, black worn by secular priests (white in the tropics), purple worn by bishops, red worn by cardinals, and white worn by the Pope
Cassock, Alb
The officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church
Celebrant
An area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies
Cemetery; Burial Grounds
Sacred public worship
Ceremonies
A vessel in which wine is consecrated at mass; Composed of the cuppa (cup), nodus (stem) and the base (foot)
Chalice, calix
The place about the altar of the Church, usually enclosing the clergy and other officials. One of the two areas of the main body of the church, the other being the nave
Chancel
The singing or intoning of all liturgical portions of a service
Chant
A building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted; May contain an altar
Chapel
Outer garment worn by a priest during a Mass
Chasuble, casula
Holy Oil
Chrism
A letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of the Church
Christian Burial Certificate (Priestly Lines or Christian Burial Permit)
A prayer service
Christian Wake
A layperson who leads prayer and/or reads scripture
Commentator, precentor
Reception of the Eucharist (body and blood of Christ)
Communion
The chant that accompanies the distribution of communion
Communion-Chant
A flat plate held under the chin at communion
Communion Paten
Corporate celebration of the same Mass by several priests
Concelebration
Ground set aside for a special purpose, blessed by the clergy
Consecrated ground
Semi-circle cloak reaching the feet and provided with a hood
Cope
A cloth upon which the eucharist is placed
Corporal
From the Latin meaning, the body of Christ
Corpus Christi
A religious emblem consisting of two plain bars which intersect at right angles to each other
Cross
A chamber or vault; a chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person
Crypt
A cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (Corpus Christi) on it
Crucifix
One who carries the Crucifix in religious processions
Crucifier
The deacon’s vestment
Dalmatic
In the Roman Catholic faith, a member of the clerical order (clergy) just below a Priest
Deacon
A geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a bishop
Diocese
Of the church or clergy
Ecclesiastic
Approach of the celebrant and his assistants to public worship
Entrance Rite
That side of the chancel containing the lecturn, from which the Old Testament and Epistle lessons are read
Epistle Side
Body and blood of Christ (consecrated elements of holy communion)
Eucharist
Liturgy of the dead
Exequies
The seating section of the main body of the church
Nave
The vestibule; entry way to the church
Narthex
In the Roman Catholic faith, a woman who is a member of a religious order; especially one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
Nun (Sister)
Consecrated oils used in liturgical annointings
Oils
A symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket in the vestibule of the Church, signifying that in the eyes of God all people are created equal
Pall
In the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies everlasting light of Christ
Paschal Candle
A dish or plate for the host during communion
Paten
The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome
Pope
One ordained to carry out the works of the Church, subordinate to the bishop; Addressed as “Father”
Priest
A kneeling rail
Prie Dieu
A small cloth for the chalice used during communion
Purificator
A vessel or cabinet in which the blessed sacrament is kept
Pryx
Generally celebrated by the family of the deceased together with a Roman Catholic minister; usually performed during critical moments of the grieving journey. Include the Prayer after Death, Gathering in the Presence of the Body, and Transfer of the Body to the Church or Place of Committal
Related Rites
Three candles placed on each side of the casket in front of the altar. This practice has been replaced by use of the paschal candle in many areas of the country
Requiem Candles
A form of liturgy regulated by tradition and law
Rite
Celebrated prior to the Funeral Liturgy, usually at the funeral home on the morning of the Funeral Liturgy preceding the closing of the casket. It may be recited by the family, friends, the minister, priest or funeral director. May also be combined with the Rite of Final Commendation when necessary adaptations are made
Rote of Committal
Beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers
Rosary Beads
In Liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination
Rubrics
In the Roman Catholic faith, a religious picture, usually of Jesus Christ
Sacred Heart
A room adjacent to the chancel in which the liturgical vessels, utensils and vestments are kept, and where the clergy vest
Sacristy
That part of the chancel containing the altar
Sanctuary
A piece of cloth or a medal with religious significance usually worn around the neck
Scapular, amice
A sign made with the right hand touching the forehead, breast, left and right should successively
Sign of the Cross
A document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention
Spiritual Bouquet
The shrine in which the Blessed Sacrament (elements of the Eucharist) are kept
Tabernacle
Receptacle in which incense is byrned
Thurible
An altar attendant who carries the thurible
Thurifer
A square of cloth, usually of the same material as the chasuble, used to cover the chalice at Mass
Veil Chalice
The ritual garments worn by the clergy
Vestments
Formerly called the Wake or Rosary Service, a public prayer, focusing on the proclamation of God’s Word. It may be said in the funeral home, residence or church, depending on where the visitation is taking place
Vigilfor the Deceased
In the Roman Catholic faith, a set or two candles, one placed at the head of the casket, and one placed at the foot of the casket during the visitation period in the home or funeral home
Vigil Lights
Historically a watch kept over the deceased; an all night vigil
Wake
The ending portion of the funeral mass
Final Commendation
The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church
Funeral Liturgy
The act of bending the knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility
Genuflect
Literally, “Good Tidings”
Gospel
Consecrated (blessed) water
Holy Water
Preaching the word of God by the clergy
Homily, sermon
The consecrated bread of the Eucharist
Host
A mixture of various resins burned to produce a pleasant odor; used in Church rituals
Incense
The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus
IHS
An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews”
INRI
Mutual embrace
Kiss of Peace
A sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity
Sacrament of the Sick
The individual who reads out the scriptures
Lector
The last responsory prayers after the Mass
Libera
A prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element
Liturgical Worship
A strip like vestment worn on the forearm of subdeacons
Maniple
Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist
Mass
The term for a mass that is celebrated for a deceased person when the body is not present in the church
Mass for the Dead
A honorary title conferred upon the priest
Monsignor
A position held by a woman in charge of a convent of women
Mother Superior
