Roman Catholic Terms
gospel
"good tidings"
brandeun
A cloth that has been laid upon the grave of a saint, and then used as a substitute for a relic.
paten
A dish or plate for the host during communion.
spiritual bouquet
A document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention.
communion paten
A flat plate held under the chin at communion.
cassock (alb)
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.
archdiocese
A geographical grouping of one or more diocese under the jurisdiction of an archbishop.
commentator (precentor)
A layperson who leads prayer and/or reads scripture.
christian burial certificate (priestly lines or christian burial permit)
A letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of the Church.
scapular (amice)
A piece of cloth or a medal with religious significance usually worn around the neck.
mother superior
A position held by a woman in charge of a convent of women.
liturgical worship (eucharist centered)
A prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or holy Communion as its central element.
ambo
A raised place between the sanctuary and nave. For reading of the lessons/sermons.
sacristy
A room adjacent to the chancel in which the liturgical vessels, utensils and vestments are kept, and where the clergy rest
purificator
A small cloth for the chalice used during communion.
maniple
A strip-like vestment worn on the forearm of subdeacons.
chalice (calix)
A vessel in which wine is consecrated at mass. Composed of the cuppa (cup), nodus (stem) and the base (foot).
pyx
A vessel or cabinet in which the blessed sacrament is kept.
INRI
An abbreviation for the Latin term meaning "Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews."
altar (altaria)
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.
monsignor
An honorary title conferred upon a Priest.
entrance rite
Approach of the celebrant and his assistants to public worship.
consecrated ground
Ground set aside for a special purpose, blessed by the clergy.
deacon
In the Roman Catholic Faith, a member of the clerical order (clergy) just below a priest.
sacrament of the sick (last sacraments)
In the Roman Catholic faith a sacrament given to those seriously ill or in danger to prepare their souls for eternity.
paschal candle
In the Roman Catholic faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ.
sacred heart
In the Roman Catholic faith, a religious picture, usually of Jesus Christ.
nun (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.
final commendation
In the Roman Catholic faith, the ending portion of the Funeral Mass.
priest
One ordained to carry out the works of the Church, subordinate to the bishop. Addressed as "Father".
crucifer
One who carries the Crucifix in religious processions
chasuble (casula)
Outer garment worn by a priest during a Mass.
communion
Reception of the Eucharist (body and blood of Christ).
amice
Shouldercloth, Rectangular linen cloth with straps (30" x 20") worn under the alb.
epistle side
That side of the chancel containing the lectern, from which the Old Testament and Epistle lessons, are read.
communion chant
The chant that accompanies the distribution of communion.
IHS
The first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus.
libera
The last responsory prayers after the Mass.
funeral liturgy
The name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church. (Formerly called the Funeral Mass or Mass of Christian Burial)
chant
The singing or intoning of all liturgical portions of a service.
mass for the dead
The term for a mass that is celebrated for a deceased person when the body is not present in the church.
requiem candles
Three candles placed on each side of the casket in front of the altar. This practice has been replaced by use of the paschal candles in many areas of the country.
chapel
a building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted. may contain an altar
corporal
a cloth upon which the eucharist is placed
crucifix
a cross with a figure or image representing the body of Christ on it
cardinal
a dignity conferred upon bishops or priests making them princes of the church
rite
a form of liturgy regulated by tradition and law
diocese
a geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a bishop
prie dieu
a kneeling rail
christian wake
a prayer service
cross
a religious emblem consisting of two plain bars that intersect at right angles to each other
sign of the cross
a sign made with the right hand touching the forehead, breast, left and right shoulder successively
pall
a symbolic cloth covering placed over the casket in the vestibule of the church, signifying that in the eyes of god, all people are equal
acolyte
altar server at the mass (altar attendant)
cemetery
an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies
bow
an inclination of the body while standing in prayer
eucharist
body and blood of christ (considered elements of the holy communion)
crypt
chamber or vault; a chamber in a mausoleum, of sufficient size, generally used to contain the casketed remains of a deceased person
holy water
consecrated (blessed) water
oils
consecrated oils used in liturgical annointings
burial
earth interment
bishop
head of a territorial unit of the church
chrism
holy oil
asperges
holy water
rubrics
in Liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination.
brother
in the roman catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination
agnus dei
lamb of god
corpus christi
latin: the body of christ
exequies
liturgy of the dead
insence
mixture of various resins burned to produce a pleasant odor; used in church rituals
kiss of peace
mutual embrace
ecclesiastic
of the church or clergy
acclamation
peoples response, in liturgical worship
alleluia
praise ye god
homily (sermon)
preaching the word of god by the clergy
cantor
precentor; leads congregational responsorial hymns and psalms
Ablution
rinsing of the mouth, Eucharistic vessels and fingers after touching the sacred host
absolution
sacramental remission of sin
ceremonies
sacred public worship
cope
semi-circle cloak reaching the feet with a hood
apse (apsis)
semicircle end of the presbytery; Roman Catholic
amen
so be it, let it happen
sanctuary
that part of the chancel containing the altar
host
the consecrated bread of the eucharist
dalmatic
the deacon's vestment
breaking of bread
the fractioning of the altar breads before the communion
archbishop
the head of the archdiocese. a bishop of highest rank
pope
the head of the roman catholic church and the bishop of rome
lector
the individual who reads out the scriptures
mass
the liturgical celebration of the eucharist in the roman catholic faith
celebrant
the officiant who celebrates the mass in the roman catholic church
chancel
the place about the altar of the church, usually enclosing the clergy and other officials.
nave
the seating or auditorium section of the main body of the church
tabernacle
the shrine on which the blessed sacrament (elements of the eucharist) are kept
narthex
the vestibule or entrance porch of a church
genuflect
to bend the knee in a kneeling or half-kneeling position to express reverence or respect
alb (tunica alba)
white undergarment of linen reaching to the feet
rosary beads
Beads and a crucifix used as an aid in the recitation of prayers.
rite of committal
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.
concelebration
Corporate Celebration of the same mass by several priests.
