Religion Chapter 5 Vocabulary

Anointing

the sacramental sign of Confirmation; an act that is part of the liturgical rites of Baptism and for ordaining bishops and priests

Apostolic College (College of Bishops, Episcopal College)

the body of bishops, united with the Pope as their head, having its origin in the community of the 12 Apostles with Peter at their head. has supreme and full authority in the Catholic Church 

Apostolic Succession

the handing on of apostolic preaching and authority from the Apostles to their successors the bishops through the laying on of hands, as a permanent office in the church

Bishop 

a consecrated successor to the Apostles, usually charged with the spiritual and administrative care of a given territory or diocese. derives from the Greek word episkopos (“overseer”). he is constituted a pastor in the Church, to be the teacher of doctrine, the priest of sacred worship, and the minister of governace

Book of Gospels

volume used in the Catholic liturgy that contains all the readings for Masses. It is the book that is read from when the priest or deacon proclaims

Breaking of the Bread

term used in the New Testament to describe the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist; the Liturgy of the Eucharist in the Mass

Cathedra 

Latin for “chair”. the chair reserved for use by the bishop, which is situated in the sanctuary of the cathedral church of the diocese

Cathedral

the official church of the bishop of a diocese. The Greek word cathedra means chair or throne; the bishop’s “chair” symbolizes his teaching and governing authority, and is located in the principal church of the local diocese of which he is the chief pastor

Celibacy

the state of one who has chosen to remain unmarried for the sake of the kingdom of heaven in order to give himself or herself entirely to God and to the service of the people

Chrism 

Greek for “anointing”. it is oil mixed with balsam, signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit, that is consecrated by a bishop. it is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders

Christ

from the Greek christos, “the anointed one.” this title is used in reference to Jesus because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission of Priest, Prophet, and King, all of whom where anointed in the Old Covenant

Collegiality 

the principle that all the bishops of the Church with the Pope at their head form a single “college,” which succeeds in every generation the “college” of the 12 Apostles, with St. Peter at their head, which Christ instituted as the foundation of the Church. This college of bishops together with, but never without, the Pope has supreme and full authority over the universal Church

Crosier/ Crozier

the pastoral staff used by bishops when they perform certain solemn functions

Dalmatic

the outer liturgical vestment of a deacon

Diaconate 

the office of deacons, men who have been ordained not to priesthood but to a ministry of service. from the Greek word for “servant.” 

Diocesan Priesthood

a priest who serves a particular diocese. at ordination, he makes promises of celibacy and obedience to his bishop

Episcopate

the office of bishops, men who have received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. By divine institution, a bishop is a successor of the Apostles. he is constituted a pastor (shepherd) in the Church, to be the teacher of doctrine, the priest of sacred worship, and the minister of governance. from the Greek word for “overseer.”

Ex Opere Operato 

a Latin phrase meaning “by the action being performed.” when properly disposed, a person will receive grace through the Sacraments, simply by the action being performed, regardless of the personal sanctity of the minister of the Sacrament, since it is really Christ who is acting through the minister

Excardination

the formal release from a diocesan priest’s former diocese required before he can be formally accepted by the bishop of his new diocese

In Persona Christi Capitis

Latin for “in the person of Christ the Head.” a description of how priests and bishops are configured to Christ by virtue of Holy Orders, especially in the celebration of the Sacraments

Incardination

the formal acceptance of a diocesan priest from his former diocese into a new one, given by its bishopI

Indult

a special permission, privilege, or dispensation from canon law granted by a Church authority

Laying on of Hands 

the ritual act, going back to the Old Testament, whereby men were consecrated for sacred duties. from the New Testament onward, it has been used in the ordination of men to the priesthood as well as in other sacramental liturgies

Liturgy 

the priestly action of Jesus Christ, continued in and by the Church under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. in the liturgy, the Holy Spirit himself brings about his work of salvation through effective sings, thus giving a most perfect cult to God and salvation to mankind; more generally, the word indicates the Mass, as in “Eucharistic liturgy,” which itself comprises the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist; or an official prayer of the Church outside of Mass, such as the Liturgy of the Hours. it comes from the Greek ergos (“work”) and leiton (“of the people”)

Magisterium

the name given to the universal teaching authority of the Church, entrusted to the Pope and the bishops in communion with him, which guides the members of the Church without error in matters of faith and morals, through the interpretation of Sacred Scripture and Tradition

Mitre/ Miter

the headdress used by a bishop for ceremonial functions, it is a symbol of his office

Ordination 

the rite of the Sacrament of Holy Orders by which the bishop, through the imposition of hands and the prayer of Consecration, confers the order of bishop, priest, or deacon by the power of the Holy Spirit on behalf of the Church 

Pallium

a vestment symbolic of the fullness of episcopal authority; it is given to archbishops by the Pope. it is made of lamb’s wool and is circular in shape, one inch in width, and adorned with six small crosses

Pastor

from the Latin word for shepherd, a title given to bishops and priests who are entrusted with the care of souls, especially local communities of the faithful

Permanent Deacon 

a man, either married or single, who is ordained to the order of deacons, with the intent to remain in this office permanently. they assist priests in administrative and pastoral roles 

Personal Ordinariate

a canonical structure in the Catholic Church that allows Anglican and Episcopal Christians to enter full communion with the Church while retaining elements of their own spiritual and liturgical tradition

Prayer of Consecration

the prayer in the Rite of Ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons that forms part of the requisite “form” for the Sacrament

Presbyterate 

from the Greek for “elders,” the office of priest in the Catholic Church; a body or the order of presbyters. one of the three degrees of the Sacramental of Holy Orders 

Prostration

the act of lying face down on the floor as a sign of humility and complete self-giving in acceptance of ministerial service. it is part of the Rite of Ordination

Religious Priesthood

the priesthood of men in consecrated life who have been ordained priests. they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

Seminary 

an educational institution of the Church whose purpose is to train men for the reception of Holy Orders

Stole

a long, narrow strip of cloth worn around the neck as a liturgical vestment by deacons, priests, and bishops

Transitional Deacon

a man who has been ordained a deacon with the intent to become a priest