Roman Catholic Vocabulary

Acolyte

Altar server at the Mass, altar attendant

Altar

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

Archbishop

Head of the Archdiocese

Archdiocese

Geographical grouping of one or more dioceses under the jurisdiction of an Archbishop

Bishop

head of a territorial unit of The Church

Bow

inclination of the body made while standing under liturgical prayer

Brother

in the Roman Catholic faith, a man who is a member of a religious order without being ordained or while preparing for ordination

Cantor

Precentor; leads congregational responsorial hymns and psalms

Cardinal

dignity conferred upon Bishops or Priests making them princes of the Roman Catholic Church

Casket Bearer (Pall Bearer)

one who actively bears or carries the casket during the funeral service and the committal service

Celebrant

officiant who celebrates the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church

Chancel

area around the altar of the church, usually enclosing the clergy and other officials; one of two main areas of the church, the other being the nave

Chapel

building or designated area of a building in which services are conducted; may contain an altar

Christian Burial Certificate (Christian Burial Permit, Priest Lines)

Letter or form from a priest stating the eligibility of the deceased for funeral rites according to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church

Communion

Reception of the Eucharist (body and blood of Christ)

Cross

Religious emblem consisting of two plain bars which intersect at right angles to each other

Cross Bearer

one who carries the cross in a religious procession

Crucifer

one who carries the crucifix in a religious procession

Crucifix

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

Deacon

in the Roman Catholic Faith, a member of the clerical order (clergy) just below a priest

Diocese

geographical grouping of parishes under the jurisdiction of a Bishop

Ecclesiastic

of the church or clergy

Entrance Rite

approach of the celebrant and his assistants to public worship

Epistle Side

right side of the church as the congregation faces the altar; contains the lectern from which the Old Testament and Epistle Lessons are read

Eucharist

body and blood of Christ (consecrated elements of the Holy Communion)

Eucharistic Minister

Layperson assigned to provide Holy Communion, after the elements have been blessed by a priest

Final Commendation

Ending portion of the Funeral Mass

Funeral Liturgy (Funeral Mass)

Name of the funeral service in the Roman Catholic Church; formerly called the Mass of Christian Burial

Genuflect

act of bending the knee as an indication of reverence or an act of humility

Gospel Side

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

Holy Water

consecrated (blessed) water

Homily, Sermon

Preaching of the Word of God by the clergy

Host

consecrated bread of the Eucharist

IHS

first three letters in the Greek word for Jesus

Incense

mixture of various resins burned to produce a pleasant odor, used in Church rituals

INRI

abbreviation for the Latin term meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of Jews”

Kiss of Peace

Mutual embrace

Liturgical Worship (eucharist-centered)

Prescribed order or form of worship specific to a particular denomination which will have the Eucharist or Holy Communion as its central element

Mass

liturgical celebration of the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church

Mass Card (Spiritual Bouquet)

document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention

Monsignor

honorary title conferred upon a Priest

Narthex (Lobby, Vestibule, Foyer)

vestibule or entry way to the church

Nave

seating section of the main body of the church; one of two main areas of the church, the other being the chancel

Obsequies

Officiant

individual who leads in the funeral service

Pall

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

Paschal Candle

in the Roman Catholic Faith, a candle placed near the casket during the Funeral Mass that signifies the everlasting light of Christ

Pope

Prie Dieu (Prayer, Kneeler)

Prie Dieu

Priest

one ordained to carry out the works of the Church, subordinate to the Bishop; addressed as “Father”

Procession/Processional

organized, predetermined method of moving from the narthex to the altar at the beginning of the funeral service

Recession/Recessional

organized, predetermined method of moving from the altar to the narthex at the end of the funeral service

Related Rites

generally celebrated by the family of the deceased together with the Roman Catholic minister; usually performed during critical moments of the grieving journey; include Prayer After Death, gathering in the Presence of the Body, and Transfer of the Body to the Church or Place of Committal

Requiem Candles

three candles placed on each side of the casket in the front of the altar; recently replaced by use of the Paschal Candle in many areas of the country

Rite

a form of liturgy related by tradition and law

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; recited by family, friends, minister, priest, or funeral processional; may also be combined with the Rite of Final Commendation when necessary adoptions are made.

Rosary Beads

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

Rosary Prayers

series of prayers consisting of the “Lord’s Prayer”, “Ave Maria”, and “Glory Be to the Father”

Rubrics

in Liturgical churches, stated directions in a prayer book or liturgical manual regarding the order of service as approved by the denomination

Sacrament of the Sick

part of the final preparations for those who are seriously ill or in danger of losing their lives; usually done via anointing the individual with oil

Sacred Heart

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

Sacristy

room adjacent to the chancel in which the liturgical vessels, utensils and vestments are kept and where the clergy vest

Sanctuary

the part of the chancel containing the altar

Scapular

piece of cloth or a medal with religious significance, usually worn around the neck

Sign of the Cross

sign made with the right hand touching the forehead, breast, left shoulder, and right shoulder, successively

Spiritual Bouquet

document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention

Tabernacle

shrine in which the Blessed Sacrament (elements of the Eucharist) are kept

Thurible

receptacle in which incense is burned

Thurifer

altar attendant who carries the thurible

Transepts

wings of the main part of the church which may serve as small chapels for baptisms, weddings, and even small funeral services

Vestments

ritual garments worn by the clergy

Vigil for the Deceased

formerly called the Wake or Rosary Service; a public prayer, focusing on the proclamation of God's Word; may be said in the funeral home, residence, or church, depending on where the visitation is taking place

Vigil Lights

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

Wake

historically, a watch kept over the deceased; an all-night vigil

Ablution, abluere

rinsing ofthe mouth, Eucharistic vessels, and fingers after touching the sacred host

Absolution

sacramental remission of sin

Acclamation

people's response in Liturgical worship

Agnus Dei

lit., Lamb of God

Alb, Tunica Alba

white undergarments of linen, reaching to the feet

Alleluia

lit., Praise ye God

Ambo

raised place between the sanctuary and nave for reading of the lessons / sermons

Amen

lit., So be it or let it happen

Amice

shoulder cloth; rectangular lined cloth with straps (30" X 20") worn under the alb

Apse, Apsis

semicircle end of the presbytery

Asperges

act of sprinkling the congregation with Holy Water prior to Sunday Mass

Brandeun

cloth that has been laid upon the grave of a saint, then used as a substitute for a relic

Breaking of Bread

fractioning of the altar-breads before communion

Burial

earth interment

Burial Grounds

see Cemetery; an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies

Cassock, Alb

garment reaching the ankles; black worn by Priests (white in the tropics), purple worn by Bishops, red worn by Cardinals, and white worn by the Pope

Cemetery

see Burial Grounds; an area of ground set aside and dedicated for the final disposition of dead human bodies

Ceremonies

sacred public worship

Chalice, Calix

vessel in which wine is consecrated at Mass; composed of the cuppa (cup), nodus (stem), and the base (foot)

Chant

singing or intoning of all liturgical portions of a service

Chasuble, Casual

outer garments worn by a Priest during a Mass

Chrism

mixture of olive oil and balsam, blessed by a Bishop, and used in the administration of certain sacraments

Christian Wake

prayer service

Commentator, Precentor

layperson who leads prayer and/or reads Scripture

Communion Chant

chant that accompanies the distribution of communion