MOR 333 - Lesson 2.1

Vigil Service

A Roman Catholic prayer service for the repose of the soul of the departed; also known as Rosary Service.

Rosary Service

A Roman Catholic prayer service for the repose of the soul of the departed; also known as Vigil Service.

Spiritual Boquet Cards

A card indicating the sender will undertake certain devotional acts on behalf of another person, as in honor of a special occasion or in memory of someone who has died in the Roman Catholic Church.

Prayer Card

A card with the name of the decedent and a prayer or verse, which may or may not include the dates of birth and death.

Crucifix

A cross with a figure or image representing the body the Christ (Corpus Christi) on it.

Prie Dieu

A kneeling rail; also known as Kneeler or Prayer Rail.

Christian Burial Permit (Certificate)

A letter from a Priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church; also known as Christian Burial Certificate, Priestly Letter, or Priestly Lines.

Celebrant

A person who designs and officiates a personalized ceremony or rite; a person trained and qualified to officiate a service and is not a member of the clergy; the officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church.

Liturgical

A prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element; also known as Eucharist-Centered Worship.

cantor

A religious singer who assists the clergy; assists the Rabbi in the Jewish faith; assists the Priest in the Eastern Orthodox faith.

Panachida

A rubric for the Eastern Orthodox funeral service; also known as Great Panachida.

Pall

A symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket.

Sign of the Cross

A symbolic sign of the Cross, made with the right hand.

Priest

A title conferred by ordination.

Wake

A watch kept over the deceased sometimes lasting the entire night preceding the funeral; a watch kept over the dead; today it takes the form of visitation, calling hours or shiva; prayers and scripture reading may be a part of the wake.

INRI

An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews."

Parish

An ecclesiastical district having its own church and member of the clergy.

altar

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 of Holy Communion is offered.

Monsignor

An honorary title conferred upon a Priest.

Superior

Anatomy definition: Term of position and direction denoting towards the head or elevated in place or position. | Religious definition: A head of a religious community such as a monastery, convent, or abbey.

Solea

In the Eastern Orthodox church, the open area before the altar.

Iconostasis

In the Eastern Orthodox church, the partition that extends across the front of the church separating the sanctuary from the solea.

Icon

In the Eastern Orthodox faith, a holy picture; usually mosaic or painted on wood.

Trisagion

In the Eastern Orthodox faith, three short services or blessings that are part of the funeral rite.

Paschal Candle

In the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ.

Cardinal

In the Roman Catholic faith, a dignity conferred upon Bishops making them Princes of the Church and who have a right to participate in a Papal election.

Diocese

In the Roman Catholic faith, a geographical grouping of Parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop.

Deacon

In the Roman Catholic faith, a member of the clerical order (clergy) just below a Priest.

Scapular

In the Roman Catholic faith, a piece of cloth or a metal having religious significance usually worn around the neck.

Wake Service

In the Roman Catholic faith, a prayer or scripture service usually held at the funeral home the evening before the Funeral Mass.

Sacred Heart

In the Roman Catholic faith, a religious picture, usually of Jesus Christ.

Sacrament of the Sick

In the Roman Catholic faith, a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger of death to prepare their souls for eternity.

Sister

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; also known as Nun.

Vigil Lights (Candles)

In the Roman Catholic faith, 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.

Final Commendation (Libera)

In the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass; also known as Libera.

Archbishop

In the Roman Catholic faith, the head of the archdiocese.

Eucharistic Minister

Layperson sanctioned to administer Holy Communion and other assigned tasks.

Bishop

Leader of multiple churches in a particular denomination; in the Roman Catholic faith, the head of a diocese; in the LDS faith, Bishop of the ward is the leader of a single congregation.

Divine Liturgy

Liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in eastern Orthodox churches.

Parishioner

Members of a parish.

Funeral Liturgy

Name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church; also known as Funeral Mass; formerly called the Mass of Christian Burial.

Crucifer

One who carries the crucifix/cross during an ecclesiastical procession; also known as Crossbearer.

Rosary Prayers

Prayers recited in order at a Rosary or Vigil Service.

Mass

Religious definition: The liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church. | Chemistry definition: The quantity of matter present in an object.

Vestments

Ritual garments worn by the clergy.

Genuflect

The act of bending the right knee as an indication of reverence.

Eucharist

The consecrated elements of Holy Communion.

IHS

The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus.

Pope

The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bishop of Rome.

Gospel Side

The left side of the church as the congregation faces the altar; a place for the reading of the Gospels and delivery of the homily by the minister.

Funeral Mass (Mass of Christian Burial)

The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church; also known as Funeral Liturgy.

Last Kiss

The physical contact with the deceased and the Icon during the final pass by the casket.

Epistle Side

The right side of the church as the congregation faces the altar from which readings and prayers are often proclaimed.

Parasta

The watch or all-night vigil over the deceased in the Eastern Orthodox community; also known as Parastasis.

Holy Water

Water blessed by a priest.

acolyte

an altar attendant

Rosary Beads

Beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers.

Requiem Candles

Candles used for a funeral mass for a deceased in the Roman Catholic Church.

Mass Cards

Cards on which an individual requests the priest to say mass for the soul of the deceased.

Royal Doors

Doors in the center of the Iconostasis leading directly to the altar; only ordained clergy are to go through these doors; never cross on the solea in front of the Royal Doors.