Language and Definitions

New preferred vocabulary:

“assembly” or “community”- The entire group gathered for the Liturgy. Not to be called “celebrating community” “celebrating assembly” used Redemptionis Sacramentumm,42

“extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion” - Help in distributing Holy Communion. Not to be called “special minister of Holy Communion”, nor Aextraordinary minister of the Eucharist@ Redemptionis Sacramentum, 156.

General Glossary

abrogation - a law is entirely revoked.

acolyte (“Instituted@ is presumed) – a liturgical minister permanently installed by the Bishop, to assist at liturgical celebrations and in preparing people for the Sacraments. Priests and deacons receive this ministry during their time of formation before they are ordained. Lay men not preparing for Holy Orders may also be installed in the ministry of acolyte through a rite of institutional blessing. (GIRM 100, CCC 903, 1672)

alb: A loose- fitting tunic worn under other vestments, common to all ministers in worship.

amice: A white linen square worn over the neck and shoulders under the alb to completely cover the collar of the priest or deacon.

cassock: a full length, fitted robe for ordinary use as clerical dress, either black (priest), purple (bishop), red (cardinal), or white (pope).

chasuble: The external garment worn by the priest at the Eucharist, the chasuble is worn over the stole and alb.

choir dress: the choir referred to here are the clergy who are not concelebrating, they properly wear cassock and surplice

cincture: A cord used to belt the alb

clericalization - this term refers to the tendency of allowing lay people to fulfil the responsibilities and roles which should by virtue of holy orders reserved only to priests or deacons.

commissions - the meaning for our purpose in the Diocese of Tyler is that a “ commission” is a group of people given a particular responsibility (or mission) and committed to implementing a vision to initiate and support that mission - i.e. liturgical commission

common priesthood or “priesthood of the faithful” the share in the high priesthood of Christ received by everyone at baptism and strengthened by Confirmation and the Eucharist. There is a right by this to receive the other sacraments, and to share in the liturgy

Communion plate (paten): Communion paten, held to insure that particles of the Prescious Body are not dropped during the communion distribution.

concelebrant - a priest who offers Mass jointly with one or more other priests. (Catholic Dictionary) There is always one celebrant.

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments - This is basically a department of the Holy See that assists the Pope by helping in oversight and guidance of Liturgy.

cope: A long cloak with a fastening in front, worn on solemn occasions and for specified ceremonies (example: Eucharistic benediction)outside of Mass

dalmatic: A sleeved outer garment, fashioned after the chasuble, worn by a deacon.

derogation - a law is revoked partly

ecclesia: “Ekklesia@ is related to Aklesis@ or Acalling@: ecclesia is indicative of the calling together of men, synagoga "A body of men united together by the profession of the same Christian Faith , and by participation in the same sacraments, under the governance of lawful pastors, more especially of the Roman Pontiff, the sole vicar of Christ on earth" That is the Church.

ecclesial communities – arose in the West from the sixteenth century (ie the Reformation) onwards and are separated from the Catholic Church. (eg – Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians…) They are not Churches, properly speaking, but communities of the baptized.

Eucharistic Procession: a public profession of the Catholic faith in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Sacrament. The custom developed of carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a splendid procession through the town after the Mass on Corpus Christi Day.

Eucharistic Congress: a mass meeting of Catholics, organized on an international, national and regional basis having as its aim a strengthening and activating personal tie with Christ resulting from a deepening understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist, mainly in its existential aspect (linked to human life), through lectures, seminars, discussions and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Eucharistic Adoration: prayer before the Blessed Sacrament

faithful - those incorporated into Christ in Baptism constituted as the people of God (CCC 897)

graviora delicta grave delict (offense); serious violation of the law

hierarchical Priesthood - presbyterate and episcopate; presbyterate is the second rank of orders in the hierarchical priesthood; epicopacy is the first . (Catholic Dictionary 343)

humeral veil: A wide scarf worn over the shoulders for carrying the sacred vessels of the Blessed Sacrament.

in persona Christi - in the person of Christ. In the Mass, the priest acts in the person of Christ

intinction - the practice of distributing Communion under both species by placing the Blessed Sacrament into the Precious Blood and then placing it on the tongue of the recipient. It is advisable that if children are receiving for the first time, they have been prepared as to the taste of the wine so as to prevent disrespect after receiving.

látae senténtiae: a sentence already passed; a penalty inflicted by the law itself immediately upon commission of the offense; automatic imposi8tion of the penalty.

lay faithful – all the faithful except those who are in Holy Orders and those who belong to the religious state approved by the Church. (CCC 897)

lector – Properly speaking, an instituted ministry in which a person appointed to read the word of God in the liturgical assembly and sharing the Word in the community; In the absence of an installed lector, other lay persons can be commissioned to proclaim the readings at Mass. Accordingly they reads the lesson from Sacred Scripture, except the Gospel, in the Mass and in other sacred celebrations, may recite the psalms between readings and presents the general intercessions. (GIRM 101)

lex orandi, lex credendi - the law of prayer is the law of belief; how we pray shows what we believe, what our theology is

liberty - refers to “freedom” making your own decisions within the boundaries of the law.

licit – from the word for pleasing, what the law prescribes or allows; Failure to follow the law would be illicit, but not necessarily invalid (see below) (Catholic Dictionary 228)

liturgy - from the Greek for “public work” or service done in the name of or on the behalf of the people. In Christian tradition it is “the work of God” in which the People of God participate. Christ continuing the work of our redemption. (CCC 1067-1069)

pastoral assistants: someone who assists and serves in the absence of a priest

Precious Blood: Correct words to always use after concecration, We do not refer to it as wine.

Presider: the priest-celebrant. The word presider is often used instead of Acelebrant@ to designate the person who leads the assembly in worship.

prohibited - to keep away from; not allowed

prohibition: law or decree that forbids

religious or consecrated life - permanent state of life recognized by the Church, characterized by the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience (CCC 914)

reprobated - a practice that is completely suppressed, not to be tolerated, can not become a legitimate custom.

sacrarium: A sacristry sink with a drain directly into the earth for the fitting disposal of blessed ashes, oils, or holy water. Also used for the cleaning of Sacred vessels, and rinsing of altar linens

sacred minister - bishop, priest, or deacon

Sacred Species: the form of bread and wine after concecration.

stole: A sign of priestly office, worn in the celebration of the sacraments; a narrow strip of cloth of a liturgical color worn over the shoulders; on a deacon, worn over the left shoulder and crossing to the right side of the body

surplice: A vestment of white linen with wide sleeves worn over a cassock, used by ministers (clergy or instituted Acolytes/Lectors or altar servers) other than the presider or concelebrants.

validity – a requirement that is essential and so has to be fulfilled for the action to be valid (that is to have the intended effect); (eg, At Mass, wheat bread must be used for validity. It is illicitto omit the Preface in the Mass. (not pleasing, but not so bad as to make the Mass invalic))

vestments: Liturgical vesture such as a chasuble