Priest
Diocese
also known as a "particular" or "local" Church, the regional community of believers, who commonly gather in parishes, under the leadership of a bishop; at times a diocese is determined not on the basis of geography but on the basis of language or rite
Liturgy of the Hours
also known as the Divine Office, the official, public, daily prayer of the Catholic Church; the Divine Office provides standard prayers, Scripture readings, and reflections at regular hours throughout the day
Acolyte
one who assists at the altar
Lector
one who is commissioned to read Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel, at Mass
Incardinated
placed under the authority of a particular bishop or the superior of a religious community
Insginia
signs and symbols of one's office, ministry, or vocation
Magisterium
the Church's living teaching office, which consists of all bishops, in communion with the Pope, the Bishop or Rome
College of Bishops
the assembly of bishops, headed by the Pope, that holds the teaching authority and responsibility in the Church
Dalmatic
the liturgical vestment proper to a deacon; a dalmatic is shaped like a large loose tunic with sleeves
Presbyterate
the name given to priests as a group, especially in a diocese; based on the Greek word presbyter which means "elder"
Episcopate
the position or office of a bishop
Apostolic Succession
the uninterrupted passing on of apostolic preaching and authority from the Apostles directly to all bishops; it is accomplished through the laying on of hands when a bishop is ordained in the Sacrament of Holy Orders as instituted by Christ; the office of bishop is permanent, because at ordination a bishop is marked with an indelible, sacred character
Diaconate
the vocation and ministry of a deacon
Holy See
this term is a translation of the Latin sancta sedes, which literally means "holy seat"; the word see refers to a diocese or seat of a bishop; the Holy See is the seat of the central administration of the whole Church, under the leadership of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome
