Roman Catholic Terms Flashcards
Rinsing of 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 (Alter attendant).
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”X20”) worn 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 archbishop.
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, 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 Platen
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.
Crucifer
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 ending portion of the funeral Mass.
Final Commendation
The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church. (Formally called the Funeral Mass or Mass of Christian Burial)
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 pleasant odor; used in Church rituals.
Incense
The first three letters in the Greek word of Jesus.
IHS
An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews.”
INRI
Mutual embrace.
Kiss of Peace
In the Roman Catholic faith, a sacrament given for those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity.
Sacrament of the Sick (Last Sacraments)
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 (Eucharist Centered)
A strip-like vestment worn on the forearm of subdeacons.
Maniple
The liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church.
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 a priest.
Monsignor
A position held by a woman in charge of a convent of women.
Mother Superior
The seating section of the main body of the church; (one of the main bodies of the church, the other being the chancel).
Nave
Entry way to the church.
Narthex (Vestibule)
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 the 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.
Pyx
Generally celebrated by the family of the deceased together with a Roman Catholic minister. These rites are usually performed during critical moments of the grieving journey. Include the Prayer After Death, Father in the Presence of the Body, 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 a 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. It may also be combined with the Rite of Final Commendation when necessary adaptations are made.
Rites 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 shoulder 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 burned.
Thurible
An altar attendant who carries the thurible.
Thurifer
A square 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
Formally 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.
Vigil for the Deceased
In the Roman Catholic faith, a set of 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
