A

B

C

D

E

E

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

E

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

A

Absolution - the act by which a priest, acting as an agent of Christ, grants forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Acolyte - person who assists in the celebration of Mass.

Adoration - the external acts of reverent admiration or honor given to a thing or person.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - Prayer to Christ, who is recognized as being truly present in the Sacrament of Eucharist.

Alb - a long, white garment that can be used by all liturgical ministers; it is a reminder of the baptismal garment worn when the new Christian "puts on Christ."

Alleluia Acclamation - this acclamation of praise follows the second reading and prepares the assembly for the Gospel.

Altar - a freestanding structure that serves as the main focal point of the congregation. It is the table where Eucharistic elements are consecrated and is the center of worship.

Ambo - (also may be referred to as pulpit) a place from where scriptures are proclaimed and homilies may be preached. It is a main focal point of the church and a lector stands at or behind it when reading aloud.

Ambry - a recess that holds holy oils that are blessed and consecrated at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week.

Amen - a Hebrew word meaning truly, it is true. As a concluding word of prayers, it expressed assent to and acceptance of God's will.

Apostle - "one sent." This normally refers to the 12 men chosen by Jesus to be the bearers of his teachings to the world.

• Simon - Jesus renamed him Peter
• Andrew
• James the Greater
• John
• Philip
• Bartholomew
• Thomas
• Matthew
• James
• Thaddeus
• Simon the Zealot
• Judas Iscariot
• Matthias - was chosen to fill the place of Judas

Apostolic - refers to the 12 apostles. It also characterizes certain documents, appointments or structures initiated by the Pope or the Holy See.

Aspergilium - a container used for sprinkling holy water.

Assembly - those gathered to celebrate the liturgy.

Associate Pastor - a priests who assists a pastor in the pastoral care of a parish or parishes.

B

Baptismal Font - a receptacle for water that is used in the sacrament of baptism.

Benediction Veil - also called the humeral veil; a long, narrow shawl-like vestment used at Benediction.

Blessed Sacrament - The Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, either at Mass or reserved in a special place in the Church.

Book of the Gospel - contains only the Gospel readings; used on solemn occasions and is carried by the deacon, or in his absence, the reader.

Brazier - a metal pan used to hold incense.

Breaking of the Bread - the celebrant recreates the gestures of Christ at the Last Supper when he broke the bread to give to his disciples. This action signifies that in communion, the many are made one in the one Bread of Life which is Christ.

C

Canon - Greek for rule, norm, standard, measure. Designates the Canon of Sacred Scripture, the list of books recognized by the Church as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Canon Law - the codified body of general laws governing the Church.

Cantor - person who leads the singing during the liturgy.

Cassock (KASS-uhk) - a long, black garment worn by altar servers under the surplice; also worn by diocesan priests (black); monsignors (rose); bishops (violet), cardinals (red), and the Pope (white).

Catechesis (cat-UH-key-sis) - religious instruction and formation for persons preparing for baptism and for the faithful in various stages of spiritual development.

Catechetical (cat-uh-KIT-uh-kal) - referring to catechesis.

Catechetics (cat-uh-KIT-iks) - from the Greek meaning "to sound forth," is os the procedure for teaching religion.

Cathedra - the archbishop's chair. It is the symbol of his role of chief teacher and pastor of the local church. The word is Greek and means chair. The word cathedral comes from cathedra, meaning, literally, chair of the bishop.

Celebrant - the person who presides over the assembly and consecrates the Eucharist.

Chalice (CHAL-is) - the large cup used to hold the wine that becomes the Blood of Christ.

Chasuble (CHAZ-uh-buhl) - the sleeveless outer garment, slipped over the head, hanging down from the shoulder covering the alb and stole of the priest; it is the proper Mass vestment for the main celebrant and its color varies according to the feast.

• Green - worn during "Ordinary Time." Ordinary does not mean ordinary in the sense of common or normal. Ordinary means counting, as in the 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
• Red - worn on Passion (Palm) Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and on the Feast Days of Martyrs, including the Apostles and Evangelists.
• White - worn during the Christmas and Easter seasons and celebration of Mary, the Angels, the Saints who were not martyrs, All Saints, Birth of John the Baptist, Chair of Peter, Conversion of Paul, and St. John the Evangelist.
• Violet - worn during Advent and Lent
• Rose - worn on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).

Chrism - a specially perfumed olive oil that is consecrated for use at the baptism, confirmation, and holy orders. Chrism also is used to anoint altars and walls during church or cathedral dedications. This is only time the consecrated oil is not used on a human being.

Ciborium (si-BORE-ee-um) - a vessel used to hold the Hosts which will be used for communion; some are cup-like and others are bowl/plate like; they are also used to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.

Cincture (SINGK-sure) - a long cord used for fastening some albs at the waist; it holds the loose-fitting type of alb in place and is used to adjust it to the proper length; it is usually white, although the liturgical color of the day may be used.

Communion Cups - chalice-like vessels used at communion when the people receive from the cup; they are kept on the Credence Table and brought to the Altar at communion time.

Concelebrants - the priests and bishops who join the celebrant in celebrating the Mass.

Confession - part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not the term for the sacrament itself.

Cope (KOPE) - a cape-like garment that is put over the shoulders and hangs to the ankles; it is open in the front and worn by a priest or deacon in processions at Benediction and in other services.

Cross/Crucifix - an object is a crucifix only if it depicts Christ on a cross; otherwise it is a cross.

D

Dalmatic (dahl-MAT-ik) - a loose-fitting robe with open sides and wide sleeves worn by a deacon on more solemn feasts; it takes its color from the liturgical feast as listed above.

Deacon - an ordained minister who assists the celebrant during the Liturgy of the Word and at the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Deacons can also provide assistance to the pastor in baptismal and/or marriage ministry.

Decanter or Flagon (FLAG-un) - the bottle- or pitcher-like vessel used to hold the wine which will be consecrated at Mass for the communion of the people; it is brought forth with the gifts.

Disciple - one who follows the teachings of Jesus.

E

Ecclesiastical (ee-CLEE-zee-as-tuh-cal) - refers to official structures or legal and organizational aspects of the Church

Ecumenism (eh-KEW-meh-nizm) / Interdenominational / Ecumenical (EK-you-meh-nikal) Movement - a movement for spiritual understanding and unity among Christians and their churches. The term also is extended to apply to efforts toward greater understanding and cooperation between Christians and members of other faiths.

Eucharistic Prayer - the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. It is the center of the celebration. During the Eucharistic Prayer, the Church believes that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

F

Friar - a member of a mendicant community, such as Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites. They live a rule of communal poverty, living primarily from the freewill offerings of the faithful, engage in various forms of pastoral ministry, and belong to a religious order that is a wider community beyond the local house, in contrast to a monastery, which is self-contained, even if in federation with others.

G

Gloria - ancient hymn of praise in which the Church glorifies God. It is used on all Sundays, except for those during Advent and Lent, and at solemn celebrations. The text originates from the Christmas narrative in the Gospel of Luke (2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.")

H

Homily - a reflection by the celebrant or other minister on the Scripture readings and on the application of the texts in the daily lives of the assembled community.

Hymnal/Missalette - contains all parts of the Mass for a specific season in the liturgical year, including instructions on when to stand, sit, or kneel.

L

Lectionary - contains the scripture readings for Mass.

Liturgy of the Word - the occasion during Mass when readings from the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon. On Sundays and major feasts, there are three readings:

• First reading - from the Old Testament
• Second reading - from the Epistles
• Gospel

Liturgy of the Eucharist - the section of the celebration when the gifts of bread and wine are prepared and the Eucharistic Prayer is proclaimed by the celebrant, and the Blessed Sacrament is distributed to the assembly.

Lord's Prayer (Our Father) - the prayer of petition for both daily food (which means the Eucharistic bread for Christians) and the forgiveness of sins.

M

Mass - the common name for the Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church. Also referred to as Eucharist, Celebration of the Liturgy, Eucharistic celebration, Sacrifice of the Mass, Lord's Supper.

Miter (MY-ter) - a headdress worn at solemn liturgical functions by bishops, abbots and, in certain cases, other clerics.

Monk - a member of a monastic community such as Benedictine, Cathusian, Trappist, etc. Monks tend to live lives more separate from society to pursue, under a formal rule, a life of prayer and work for God's glory, for personal sanctification, and for the good of the Church and world. Monastic communities may have some outside works connected with them, such as a college or retreat house, but their primary ministry is prayer, especially the Liturgy of the Hours.

O

Ordination - the act that enables a person to act on behalf of the Church through Word, Sacrament, and leadership. A bishop is ordained to represent Christ. Priests share in the bishop's role of representing Christ the Shepherd. Deacons collaborate with the bishop in his role as representative of Christ the Servant.

P

Pall (PAHL) - the stiff, square, white cover that is placed over the paten when it is on the chalice.

Parish - a specific community of the Christian faithful within a diocese which has its own church building and is under the authority of a pastor who is responsible for providing the faithful with ministerial service.

Parish Administrator - when a parish is without a pastor or a pastor is unable to fulfill his pastoral responsibilities, a priest administrator is appointed by the bishop and is bound by the same obligations and enjoys the same rights as a pastor.

Parish Director - this position is held by a lay person and provides spiritual leadership and pastoral care to parishioners, oversees the general operation of the parish, and coordinates the ministries of worship, education/formation, human concerns and administration. The parish director connects the local parish to neighboring churches, the diocese, and the universal Church. The director collaborates with the assisting priest assigned to help in the pastoral care of the parish and is accountable to the supervising priest assigned to oversee the pastoral care of the parish. A parish director is appointed by the archbishop.

Pastor - a priest appointed by a bishop to attend to the pastoral care of one or more parishes. The pastor fulfills his responsibilities in the areas of teaching, sanctifying and administration with the cooperation of and assistance from other priests as well as deacons and/or lay persons. While the ultimate responsibility for the parish ministry rests with the pastor, he relies on a parish pastoral council for assistance in pastoral planning and proposing practical conclusions about the parish's pastoral work.

Pastoral Associate - this term is used in a variety of ways throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In some cases the volunteer or part-time employee who visits the sick is called a pastoral associate.

In other instances, a pastoral associate is a person working full time and is certified by the archdiocese. A certified pastoral associate is a generalist serving in a key parish leadership position. He/she assists the pastor or parish director in the daily operation of the parish. This may include the direct coordination of one or more specific ministries, such as sacramental planning, educational formation, pastoral ministry and parish administration. The pastoral associate is hired directly by the parish and is accountable to the pastor or parish director.

Pastoral Team - refers to a group of priests assigned to the pastoral care of a parish or parishes with one of them as moderator. All priests who are members of the team have the same responsibilities and rights as a pastor.

Paten (PAT-en) - a saucer-like disk that holds the bread that becomes the Body of Christ.

Penitential Rite - a general acknowledgement of sinfulness by the entire assembly, accompanied by requests for God's mercy and forgiveness.

Profession of Faith - the assembly joins to recall and proclaim the fundamental teachings of the Roman Catholic faith. The Profession of Faith is also called the Creed.

Purificator - a white cloth used to cleanse the chalice.

R

Religious Brother - a man who takes vows and promises to use his talents to serve God wherever the community decides he is needed. Brothers do not get married, live in religious communities, and have many different jobs. They are not ordained.

Religious Order - a community of people with a particular charism, as expressed by its founder, and recognized by the Church is a religious order. There are religious orders of priests and brothers, and religious orders of sisters. Religious communities may also have lay associates. Some religious orders are dedicated primarily to prayer (contemplative), while others focus on apostolic (active) ministries.

Religious Sister - a woman who belongs to a religious community. Religious sisters make vows and serve God according to the charisms of their communities. Sisters are not married and work in many different jobs, according to the needs of the religious community and/or the needs of the local area. A sister in a cloistered religious community is a nun.

Responsorial Psalm - the psalm that is spoken or sung between the first and second readings. The response is repeated after each verse.

Roman Curia - the official collective name for the administrative agencies and courts, and their officials, who assist the Pope in governing the Church. Members are appointed and granted authority by the Pope.

S

Sacramentary - contains the opening prayer, prayer over the gifts, prayer after communion, and solemn blessings, Eucharistic prayers and prefaces for all of the Masses, including special occasions.

Sanctuary - the part of the church where the altar is located.

Second Vatican Council - a major meeting of the bishops of the world convened by Pope John XXIII to bring about a renewal of the Church for the second half of the 20^th century. It ran from 1962 to 1965 and produced important documents involving liturgy, ecumenism, communications and other areas.

Stole - a long, cloth scarf; according to the manner in which it is work, it is the mark of the Office of the priest or deacon. A priest wears it around the neck, letting it hang down in front. A deacon wears it over his left shoulder, fastening it at his right side.

Surplice (SIR-plis) - a wide-sleeved garment, slipped over the head. Covering the shoulders, and coming down below the hips; it is worn over the cassock.

W

Washing of Hands - an expression of the desire for inward purification. The celebrant washes his hands in symbolic cleansing to prepare himself just as the gifts have been prepared as an offering to the Lord.

Z

Zucchetto (zoo-KET-oh) - the skull cap worn by the Pope (red), bishops (purple) and cardinals (red).