Irondequoit Catholic Communities
Glossary Of Terms

Celebrating 100 years

ABSOLUTION. In the sacrament of Penance the absolution is the form (words) declared by a priest for the forgiveness of sins. The Church teaches that "through the sign of absolution God grants pardon to the sinner who in sacramental confession manifests his change of heart to the Church's minister, and thus the sacrament of penance is completed".

ADVENT. The four weeks before Christmas. Advent is a time of prayer in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ as a child, into our lives and in the future.

ALL SAINTS DAY. A solemn feast day on which we honor all the Saints. All Saints day is celebrated on November 1st.

ALTAR. The table in front of the church on which the Sacrifice of the Mass is offered. The altar reminds us of Christ and the table of the Last Supper.

ANGEL. From the Greek word for messenger, the Bible speaks often of the role of angels. There are many Old Testament references to them (see, for example, Genesis 32:2, Isaiah 6, Daniel 10:13, Tobit 7:8). Of special note is the teaching of Jesus that angels are spiritual beings (see Matthew 22:30), always enjoying the vision of God in heaven (see Matthew 18:10), and will accompany him at his Second Coming (see Matthew 16:27). In the course of centuries, theologians have described angels as created spirits without bodies, endowed with intellect and free will, inferior to God but superior to human beings. The Catholic Church professes that angels exist but does not define many details about them.

APOSTLES. The twelve men that Jesus chose to spread His teachings to the whole world. The Apostles are: Peter, James (the Greater), John, Andrew, Matthew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James (the Less), Simon, Jude, and Judas who betrayed Jesus and was replaced by Matthias.

APOSTLES' CREED. A short prayer of belief in twelve truths which contain the most important doctrines of the Christian Faith.

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION. A term that signifies that the episcopacy has been handed down from the apostles to the present day. This succession is carried on by ordination, the laying on of hands, from one generation to the next. Those ordained have continued to perform the functions of the apostles and have been continually in communion with the Apostolic See, that is, with the Bishop of Rome.

ASCENSION. The day on which Jesus returned to heaven and was raised in the presence of His Mother and the disciples. The solemn feast of the Ascension is celebrated forty days after Easter.

ASH WEDNESDAY. The day when Lent begins. On Ash Wednesday we receive ashes to remind us of our death and to show that we should be sorry for our sins.

ASSUMPTION. The day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken to heaven, body and soul, after her death. The feast of the Assumption is on. August 15th.

BAPTISM. A new birth as a child of God, the beginning of a new life of God's grace in us. The grace of Baptism helps us to become more like Jesus.

BENEDICTION. A Eucharistic devotion approved by the Church for certain occasions and under certain conditions; it consists in the benediction (blessing) of the people with the sacred Host (usually contained in a monstrance, a vessel constructed of precious metals in such a way that the consecrated Host is clearly visible). The blessing is to be preceded by readings from the Word of God, hymns, prayers, and a suitable time for silent adoration. Its purpose is to highlight the marvelous presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

BISHOPS. They take the place of the Apostles today as shepherds of the Church. The bishops are the heads of dioceses that include many parishes.

BLESSED SACRAMENT. The Sacrament in which Christ Himself, true God and true Man, is really present, under the appearance of bread and wine. The Blessed Sacrament is Holy Mass, Holy Communion, and the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated host and wine.

BLESSED VIRGIN. The Mother of Jesus Christ and the greatest of the Christian Saints. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Mother of God and our Mother.

BLESSING. Placing a person or object under the care of God; or dedicating a person or thing to the service of God. A simple blessing is usually made with the sign of the cross, sometimes accompanied by sprinkling holy water. The Church also has a large number of specific blessings for various times and occasions.

BLESSING OF THROATS. A blessing given on or near February 3, the feast of Saint Blase. Saint Blase is credited with saving the life of a young boy who had a bone caught in his throat. On this occasion the Church invites the faithful to receive a blessing that "through the intercession of Saint Blase, bishop and martyr, we may be delivered from all diseases from the throat and every other disease in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

BREVIARY. The book or books containing the official and public prayer of the Church known as the Liturgy of the Hours (also called Divine Office); that is, a set form of prayers, hymns, and readings designed to sanctify the various hours of the day; at present, the breviary contains the office of readings, morning prayer, daytime prayer, evening prayer, and night prayer. Men in Holy Orders and men and women in solemn vows are required by Church law to pray the Liturgy of the Hours; all other members of the Church are strongly encouraged to do the same

CHALICE. The cup used at Mass to contain the Precious Blood of Christ. The chalice is usually made of or covered with gold.

CHRIST. The official title given to the Son of God Who became Man to save us. Christ means "the Anointed One" or "the Messiah".

CLOISTER. The living areas and, in a general use of the term, the adjoining property of religious orders who restrict their contact with the outside world.

COMMUNION. A holy meal in which we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus to nourish our soul. In Communion we receive Jesus and share in His Divine life.

CONFESSION. The telling of our sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Penance or of Reconciliation. In confession we express sorrow for sin and receive God's forgiveness.

CONFIRMATION. In Confirmation Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to us again and gives us new strength to live a Christian life. The bishop is the usual minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

CONSECRATION. The part of the Mass in which bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. At the Consecration we think of the Last Supper when Jesus gave us this Sacrament.

CONTRITION. Sorrow for sin because we have offended God Who is so good. We should always try to have true contrition.

DEACON. A man specially ordained to the service of the Church's ministry. The deacon receives the first grade of Holy Orders and helps the priest serve God's people.

EASTERN CHURCHES, CATHOLIC. These are Catholic churches whose members (approximately 12 million throughout the world) follow the Eastern rites. Originally, they were the Patriarchates of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. Today the five principal rites are: Byzantine, Alexandrian, Antiochene, Armenian, and Chaldean.

EASTERN CHURCHES, SEPARATED. These are the Eastern churches that are not in union with Rome. Their separation occurred in 1054 in what is historically referred to as the Eastern Schism.

ENCYCLICAL. A "circular letter" addressed by the pope to all members of the Church or to a specific group in the Church or, as is common for recent popes, to all men and women of goodwill. The subject matter of an encyclical is traditionally serious and important, a matter of doctrine or morals or discipline in the Church, or a matter of grave importance (for example, peace and justice) to the whole world. For Catholics, the teachings in encyclicals "belong to the ordinary magisterium of the Church" (Pope Pius XII) and therefore demand internal assent and external respect.

EPISTLE. One of the letters in the New Testament of the Bible written by St. Paul, St. John, St. Peter, St. James, and St. Jude, to the first Christians.

EUCHARIST. The true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Who is really present under the appearances of bread and wine, in order to offer Himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and to be received as spiritual food in Holy Communion. Eucharist means "thanksgiving". When Jesus instituted the Eucharist He "gave thanks".

EUCHARIST PRAYER. The central part of the Mass. During the Eucharistic Prayer Jesus becomes present on the altar.

EVANGELISTS. The writers of the four Gospels that tell us about the life and teaching of Jesus. The four Evangelists are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

FEAST. A day set apart by the Church for giving special honor to God, the Savior, Angels, Saints, and holy Mysteries and Events of our Lord's life. The greatest Feast is Easter.

FOURTY HOURS. A Eucharistic Devotion in which the Blessed Sacrament is displayed for public adoration in the monstrance for forty hours over a three-day period.

GENUFLECTION. Bending the knee as an act of reverence to God. We genuflect before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

GLORY. The praise and honor we give to God. In heaven we shall share His glory.

GOOD FRIDAY. Friday in Holy Week, anniversary of Christ's Death on the Cross. On Good Friday Catholics fast and abstain from meat.

GOSPEL. The Good News of salvation brought to the world by Jesus. At Mass Jesus teaches us in the Gospel reading.

GRACE. A biblical and theological term used in a wide variety of ways. According to Catholic teaching, grace is a supernatural gift of God bestowed upon a person with a view to salvation and sanctification. Understood in this sense, there are three kinds of grace: (1) uncreated grace refers to the abiding presence of the Holy Trinity in the souls of the just; (2) created or sanctifying grace is a created sharing or participation in the life of God himself; (3) actual grace is a transient help of God that enlightens the mind and strengthens the will to do good and avoid evil. Grace is given to human beings through the merits of Jesus Christ and is communicated by the Holy Spirit. The principal means of growing in grace are prayer, the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and good works. Sanctifying grace is lost by the commission of mortal (grave, serious) sin.

GRACE BEFORE AND AFTER MEALS. The spontaneous or formal prayer a person or persons say before and after meals.

HAIL MARY. Prayer honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Hail Mary contains the greeting of the angel Gabriel to Mary, and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary at the Visitation.

HOLY EUCHARIST. The Sacrament in which Christ Himself, true God and true Man, is really present, offered, and received under the appearances of bread and wine, the Scripture and the assembly. The Eucharist is Mass, Communion, and the Real Presence of Jesus.

HOLY ORDERS. The Sacrament by which Jesus shares the work of His priesthood with the bishops, priests, and deacons of the Church.

HOLY SPIRIT. God, the third Person of the Holy Trinity, equal to the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit makes us holy by giving us His grace.

HOLY WATER. Water blessed by the priest. By using holy water we ask for God's protection.

HOST. The bread that is changed into Christ's Body and Blood at the Consecration at Mass. We receive Jesus when we receive the consecrated host in Communion.

HOLY YEAR. A special year of prayer and reconciliation proclaimed by the pope, generally every 25 years. Pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Rome are encouraged during this year for the purpose of gaining an indulgence.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. A title of the Blessed Virgin as sinless and full of grace from the first moment of her existence. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is on December 8th.

INCARNATION. The taking of human nature by God and Son when He was made man by the power of the Holy Spirit at the consent of Mary. The Incarnation is the Mystery of God made Man.

INDULGENCE. According to the Code of Canon Law, "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment for sin the guilt of which is already forgiven, which a properly disposed member of the Christian faithful obtains under certain and definite conditions with the help of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies authoritatively the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints" (Canon 992). The Code also notes that an indulgence is either partial or plenary "in as far as it frees from the temporal punishment due to sin either partly or totally" (Canon 993) and that "the faithful can gain partial or plenary indulgences for themselves or apply them for the dead by way of suffrage" (Canon 994).

INFALLIBILITY. A doctrine of the Church that the Church, through the power of God, is preserved from the possibility and liability of error in teaching matters of faith and morals. This charism is present in a singular way to the pope and in the college of bishops.

LAITY. The faithful who are not in Holy Orders and do not belong to a religious state approved by the Church. The laity must bear witness to Christ in the world.

LENT. The season of prayer and penance, forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. During Lent we prepare for the feast of the Resurrection.

LITANIES. The chain of invocations by voice or song of the Trinity, Mary, and the saints by name, followed by a response such as "pray for us" or "have mercy on us."

LITURGICAL YEAR. Each year the Church honors the Mysteries of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, Angels, and Saints. The Church reminds us of these Mysteries of the Liturgical Year especially in the Mass, the Divine Office, and other devotions.

MARY. We honor the Blessed Virgin Mary by showing her our love and devotion as the Mother of Jesus, and the Mother of the Church, for she is our spiritual Mother. We pray that Mary, Mother of God, will ask her Son to help us.

MASS. In the Mass Jesus gives Himself and His heavenly Father, as He did on the cross, but now in an unbloody manner in this Sacrament, for He cannot suffer anymore. The Mass is a living Memorial of the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ, as well as a holy Banquet in which we receive Jesus and offer ourselves to the Father with Him.

MASS STIPEND. An offering made to a priest on the occasion of requesting a Mass to be offered for one's personal intentions. At the same time priests are urged to "celebrate Mass for the intention of the Christian faithful, especially of the needy, even if no offering has been received" (Canon 945 §2). The faithful who make such an offering "contribute to the good of the Church and by their offering take part in the concern of the Church for the support of its ministers and works" (Canon 946). The Code of Canon Law also insists that "any appearance of trafficking or commerce is to be entirely excluded from Mass offerings" (Canon 947) and has strict regulations governing this. The customary way of having a Mass said is to call the rectory and arrange for a time and date if it is to be a Mass announced in the parish bulletin. Other arrangements can be made by speaking directly to the priest.

MEDAL. A piece of metal with an image of Jesus, May or a Saint on it. A medal inspires devotion to God and to the Saints.

MERCY. Showing forgiveness and loving help to others out of love for God. God has mercy on all who come to Him in faith and love and sorrow of sin.

MESSIAH. Jesus Christ is the long-awaited Redeemer Who came to deliver us from sin. Messiah is a Hebrew work for "Anointed One" foretold by the Prophets.

MISSAL (Missalettes). The book (booklets) that contain the parts and prayers of the Mass that some parishes use to aid the faithful in participating in the celebration of the Mass. . The Missal now contains the Sacramentary (prayers of the Mass) and the Lectionary (readings from the Bible used at Mass).

MYSTERY. A religious truth which we believe but cannot understand. Mystery also refers to events in the life of Jesus.

NEW TESTAMENT. The part of the Bible which tells us all that Jesus said and did while He was on earth. The Gospels are found in the New Testament, and also the writings of St. Paul, St. Peter, St. James, St. John, St. Jude, and St. Luke.

NOVENAS. A word signifying "nine" and referring to a public or private devotion that extends for nine consecutive days, or in less common usage, for nine consecutive weeks, with the devotion being held on a particular day for those nine weeks. The Church approves of such devotional practices provided that there is no superstition connected with the number nine and provided that such externals are used as a help to prayer. Some common nine-day novenas would be to our Blessed Mother under various titles and in honor of some of the saints. Common nine-week novenas would be first Friday and first Saturday devotions.

OLD TESTAMENT. The part of the Bible that tells us about God and His People before Jesus came. The whole Old Testament points to Jesus Christ, Who came to fulfill its prophecies.

ORIGINAL SIN. The sin which all people have who come into the world because of the sin of disobedience of Adam and Eve, our first parents. Original sin is the first sin and Baptism takes it away.

OUR LADY. A title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary to show that she is our Queen and our Mother. She is honored by many feasts that begin with the word Our Lady.

PALM SUNDAY. Sunday before Easter. On Palm Sunday we remember how Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey while people welcomed Him.

PARABLE. A way of teaching by using a story. Jesus gave us many parables such as those of the Prodigal Son, the Good Shepherd, and the Treasure.

PASSION. The Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ. The Passion shows how much Jesus loved His Father and us enough to die to save us.

PASTOR. The priest who is in charge of a parish. The pastor cares for the spiritual life of his people.

PENANCE. The Sacrament which brings us God's forgiveness for sins committed after Baptism. Penance also means what the priest asks us to do after Confession.

PENTECOST. The day on which the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles. The feast of Pentecost comes fifty days after Easter and is called the birthday of the Church.

PRIEST. A man who has the power to offer Mass, to forgive sins, to give the other Sacraments, and to teach God's word. The priest receives his power from Christ in Holy Orders, and Christ acts through him.

PURGATORY. According to Catholic teaching, the state or condition of those who have died in sanctifying grace (or the friendship of God) still in need of purification before they see God; this purification is altogether different from the punishment of the damned. The faithful are encouraged to pray for the souls in purgatory, especially on the feast of All Souls, November 2.

QUEEN. A woman who rules. We call Mary "Queen of Heaven" because she is the Mother of our King, Jesus Christ.

REDEEMER. Jesus is called our Redeemer because He paid our debt for sin and bought heaven back for us by His Suffering and Death, and by His Resurrection from the dead. Since Jesus is our Redeemer we belong entirely to Him and we must love and serve Him.

RELICS. Part of the physical remains of a saint or an object closely associated with a saint; according to Catholic teaching, authentic relics are worthy of veneration by the faithful; the relics of martyrs and other saints are placed in the altar stone of a fixed altar; according to Church law, "it is absolutely forbidden to sell sacred relics" (Canon 1190, §1).

RESURRECTION. By the Resurrection of Jesus we mean that He came back to life on Easter, three days after He was buried, to show that He is God and to teach us that we, too, shall rise again. The resurrection of the body means that after the Last Judgment those who have done good will rise to live an eternal life with God and will receive the reward of seeing Him in unending joy, and those who have done evil will rise to be punished in hell forever.

REVELATION. What God has made known of Himself and His will to the human race through people whom He enlightened. Revelation is contained in the Bible and Tradition (God's Word was passed down through the centuries).

SACRAMENTALS. Objects or actions that the Church uses to obtain graces for us. Sacramentals include blessings of homes and religious articles. The Church's understanding of the sacramentals is thus described in the Code of Canon Law: "Somewhat in imitation of the sacraments, sacramentals are sacred signs by which spiritual effects especially are signified and are obtained by the intercession of the Church" (Canon 1166). Some well-known sacramentals are blessings by a priest, blessed palms, blessed candles, blessed medals and scapulars, and holy water.

SACRED HEART. Jesus, God and Man, showing us His Heart as a symbol of His love. June and the first Friday of each month are dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

SACRIFICE. An offering to God our Creator to adore, thank, and praise Him and to ask for His forgiveness and help. The greatest Sacrifice we can offer to God is Christ Himself in the Mass.

SACRILEGE. A violation or contemptuous treatment of a person, place, or thing that is publicly dedicated to the worship of God; it is an offense against the virtue of religion.

SACRISTY. A room attached to a church, where the clergy vest or where sacred vessels and vestments are kept.

SAINTS. Saints are those who were very close to God on earth and practiced virtue and who are now in heaven. The Church honors the Saints because they help us by their prayers and by the good example of their lives.

SCRIPTURE. The Holy Bible is often called Holy Scripture. Scripture is God's written word to us, which is the Old and New Testament of the Bible.

SEMINARY. A place where candidates for the priesthood (called seminarians) pursue their academic, spiritual, and apostolic formation.

SIN - Mortal and Venial: Mortal sin involves a serious offense against God or people, sufficient reflection on its seriousness, and full consent of the will. Serious sin totally alienates a sinner from God, making the person dead to sanctifying grace, incapable of performing meritorious supernatural acts, and subject to everlasting punishment. Venial sin involves less serious offenses, reflection, and consent and does not have such serious consequences it weakens our love for God, and shows that we do not love Him as we should.

SOUL. The soul gives life to the body and will live forever. The soul does not die when the body dies, but it goes to God.

SPIRIT. A being with a mind and free will, but no body.

STATUES. Statues are artistic representations of saints found in many churches that remind us of "the communion of saints" we believe in and recite in the Creed. Intercessory prayer to the person the statue represents is encouraged but neither the statue itself nor the person it represents is an object of worship.

TABERNACLE. The place in church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

UNBPTIIZED, Fate Of. If, as the Church professes, baptism is necessary for salvation (see John 3:5), what can be said of the salvation of those who die without baptism? This theological question has been pondered for centuries. Briefly, Catholic teaching holds that, in the case of adults, there are two possibilities: (1) baptism of blood or martyrdom and (2) baptism of desire. In the case of infants, a rather common theological opinion has been that infants who die without baptism are excluded from heaven but spend eternity in a state of natural happiness called Limbo. This theological explanation has never been explicitly taught by the Church. Another fairly common theological explanation has been that God in his mercy can supply for the lack of baptism in a way that has not been revealed to us. In a document from the Vatican's Congregation of the Faith in 1980, it is said that the Church "knows no other way apart from baptism for ensuring children's entry into eternal happiness"; but in regard to children who die without baptism, the Church "can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in the funeral rite provided for them."

VENERATION. The honor given to the Mother of God and the Saints. We give veneration to the Saints but adoration to God.

WORD OF GOD. After speaking through the Prophets, God sent His Son Who told us the "Good News" of salvation. The Bible is God's letter to us, and we should listen carefully to God's Word during Holy Mass and read it often.

YEAR. The church year begins with the Season of Advent when we prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Return to: FAQ Index
Return to: FAQ G-Index


Page last modified on October 13, 2007, at 11:12 AM