Glossary of Roman Catholic Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Rinsing the mouth, eucharistic vessels and fingers after touching the sacred host
A
Ablution, abluere
2
Q
Sacramental remission of sin
A
Absolution
3
Q
Peoples response, in liturgical worship
A
Acclamation
4
Q
Altar-server at the Mass
A
Acolyte
5
Q
Lamb of God
A
Agnus Dei
6
Q
White undergarment of linen, reaching to the feet
A
Alb; Tunica alba
7
Q
Praise ye God
A
Alleluia
8
Q
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
A
Altar, altaria
9
Q
A raised place between the sanctuary and nave; for reading of the lessons/sermons
A
Ambo
10
Q
So be it, let it happen
A
Amen
11
Q
Shoulder-cloth. Rectangular linen cloth with straps (30 x 20) worm under the alb
A
Amice
12
Q
Semicircle end of the presbytery
A
Apse, apsis
13
Q
The head of the archdiocese
A
Archbishop
14
Q
A geographical grouping of one or more diocese under the jurisdiction of an archbiship
A
Archdiocese
15
Q
Holy Water
A
Asperges
16
Q
The head of a territorial unit of the church
A
Bishop
17
Q
An inclination of the body made while standing during Liturgical Prayer
A
Bow
18
Q
A cloth that has been laid upon the grave of a saint, and then used as a substitute for a relic
A
Brandeun
19
Q
The fractioning of the altar breads before the communion
A
Breaking of Bread
20
Q
In the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination
A
Brother
21
Q
Earth interment
A
Burial
22
Q
Precentor; leads congregational responsorial hymns and psalms
A
Cantor
23
Q
A dignity conferred upon Bishops or Priests making them princes of the Church
A
Cardinal
24
Q
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
A
Cassock, Alb
25
The officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church
Celebrant
26
An area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies
Cemetery; Burial Grounds
27
Sacred public worship
Ceremonies
28
A vessel in which wine is consecrated at mass; Composed of the cuppa (cup), nodus (stem) and the base (foot)
Chalice, calix
29
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
30
The singing or intoning of all liturgical portions of a service
Chant
31
A building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted; May contain an altar
Chapel
32
Outer garment worn by a priest during a Mass
Chasuble, casula
33
Holy Oil
Chrism
34
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)
35
A prayer service
Christian Wake
36
A layperson who leads prayer and/or reads scripture
Commentator, precentor
37
Reception of the Eucharist (body and blood of Christ)
Communion
38
The chant that accompanies the distribution of communion
Communion-Chant
39
A flat plate held under the chin at communion
Communion Paten
40
Corporate celebration of the same Mass by several priests
Concelebration
41
Ground set aside for a special purpose, blessed by the clergy
Consecrated ground
42
Semi-circle cloak reaching the feet and provided with a hood
Cope
43
A cloth upon which the eucharist is placed
Corporal
44
From the Latin meaning, the body of Christ
Corpus Christi
45
A religious emblem consisting of two plain bars which intersect at right angles to each other
Cross
46
A chamber or vault; a chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person
Crypt
47
A cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ (Corpus Christi) on it
Crucifix
48
One who carries the Crucifix in religious processions
Crucifier
49
The deacon's vestment
Dalmatic
50
In the Roman Catholic faith, a member of the clerical order (clergy) just below a Priest
Deacon
51
A geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a bishop
Diocese
52
Of the church or clergy
Ecclesiastic
53
Approach of the celebrant and his assistants to public worship
Entrance Rite
54
That side of the chancel containing the lecturn, from which the Old Testament and Epistle lessons are read
Epistle Side
55
Body and blood of Christ (consecrated elements of holy communion)
Eucharist
56
Liturgy of the dead
Exequies
57
The seating section of the main body of the church
Nave
58
The vestibule; entry way to the church
Narthex
59
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)
60
Consecrated oils used in liturgical annointings
Oils
61
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
62
In the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies everlasting light of Christ
Paschal Candle
63
A dish or plate for the host during communion
Paten
64
The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome
Pope
65
One ordained to carry out the works of the Church, subordinate to the bishop; Addressed as "Father"
Priest
66
A kneeling rail
Prie Dieu
67
A small cloth for the chalice used during communion
Purificator
68
A vessel or cabinet in which the blessed sacrament is kept
Pryx
69
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
70
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
71
A form of liturgy regulated by tradition and law
Rite
72
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
73
Beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers
Rosary Beads
74
In Liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination
Rubrics
75
In the Roman Catholic faith, a religious picture, usually of Jesus Christ
Sacred Heart
76
A room adjacent to the chancel in which the liturgical vessels, utensils and vestments are kept, and where the clergy vest
Sacristy
77
That part of the chancel containing the altar
Sanctuary
78
A piece of cloth or a medal with religious significance usually worn around the neck
Scapular, amice
79
A sign made with the right hand touching the forehead, breast, left and right should successively
Sign of the Cross
80
A document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention
Spiritual Bouquet
81
The shrine in which the Blessed Sacrament (elements of the Eucharist) are kept
Tabernacle
82
Receptacle in which incense is byrned
Thurible
83
An altar attendant who carries the thurible
Thurifer
84
A square of cloth, usually of the same material as the chasuble, used to cover the chalice at Mass
Veil Chalice
85
The ritual garments worn by the clergy
Vestments
86
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
87
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
88
Historically a watch kept over the deceased; an all night vigil
Wake
89
The ending portion of the funeral mass
Final Commendation
90
The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church
Funeral Liturgy
91
The act of bending the knee as an indication of reverence or as an act of humility
Genuflect
92
Literally, "Good Tidings"
Gospel
93
Consecrated (blessed) water
Holy Water
94
Preaching the word of God by the clergy
Homily, sermon
95
The consecrated bread of the Eucharist
Host
96
A mixture of various resins burned to produce a pleasant odor; used in Church rituals
Incense
97
The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus
IHS
98
An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews"
INRI
99
Mutual embrace
Kiss of Peace
100
A sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity
Sacrament of the Sick
101
The individual who reads out the scriptures
Lector
102
The last responsory prayers after the Mass
Libera
103
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
104
A strip like vestment worn on the forearm of subdeacons
Maniple
105
Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist
Mass
106
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
107
A honorary title conferred upon the priest
Monsignor
108
A position held by a woman in charge of a convent of women
Mother Superior
