Catholic Liturgical Glossary

A
Ablation / Ablution – Ritual washing of hands or vessels after Communion.
Absolution – Forgiveness of sins given by a priest in Confession.
Acclamation – Short praise responses during Mass such as Amen or Alleluia.
Acolyte – Instituted minister who assists at the altar.
Adoration – Worship before the Blessed Sacrament.
Advent – Liturgical season preparing for Christmas.
Alb – Long white garment worn by clergy and altar servers.
Altar – The table on which the Eucharist is celebrated.
Altar Cloth – Cloth covering the altar.
Ambo – The stand from which Scripture is proclaimed.
Ambry – Cabinet or niche containing the holy oils.
Anamnesis – Part of the Eucharistic Prayer recalling Christ’s saving acts.
Annunciation – Feast commemorating the angel Gabriel announcing Christ’s birth.
Antiphon – Short chant sung before or after psalms.
Aspergillum – Instrument used to sprinkle holy water.
Asperges – Rite of sprinkling holy water before Mass.

B
Baptism – Sacrament that removes original sin and initiates a person into the Church.
Baptismal Font – Vessel or basin used for baptism.
Benediction – Blessing given with the Blessed Sacrament.
Biretta – Square cap worn by clergy in some traditional rites.
Book of Gospels – Book containing the Gospel readings.
Burial Pall – Large cloth covering a casket during a funeral.

C
Candlemas – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
Canon of the Mass – Central part of the Eucharistic Prayer.
Cantor – Lead singer during liturgy.
Cassock – Long black garment worn by clergy and servers.
Catechumen – Person preparing for Baptism.
Celebrant – Priest or bishop who offers the Mass.
Chalice – Cup used to hold the Precious Blood.
Chancel – Area around the sanctuary.
Chasuble – Outer liturgical vestment worn by the priest.
Chrism – Sacred oil used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.
Confession – Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Concelebration – Multiple priests celebrating Mass together.
Concluding Rite – Final blessing and dismissal of the Mass.
Consecration – The moment when bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ.
Credence Table – Small table in the sanctuary holding vessels.
Crosier – Bishop’s ceremonial staff.
Cruets – Small vessels containing the water and wine for Mass.
Curia – Administrative offices of the Church.

D
Dalmatic – Vestment worn by a deacon.
Deacon – Ordained minister who assists the priest and proclaims the Gospel.
Divine Office – Also called the Liturgy of the Hours; daily prayer of the Church.
Doxology – Short hymn of praise such as Glory Be.

E
Easter Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
Easter Vigil – Principal liturgy of Holy Saturday night.
Elevation – Lifting of the Host and Chalice after the consecration.
Epiclesis – Invocation of the Holy Spirit within the Eucharistic Prayer.
Epiphany – Feast of the Magi visiting Jesus.
Epistle – New Testament letter read during Mass.
Eucharist – Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood; the Mass itself.
Eucharistic Minister – Lay minister who assists with distributing Communion.
Eucharistic Prayer – Central prayer of the Mass in which consecration occurs.

F
Flagon – Large vessel for wine.
Fraction Rite – Breaking of the Host before Communion.
Funeral Rite – Liturgical ceremony for the deceased.

G
Genuflection – Reverential gesture of bending one knee before the Blessed Sacrament.
Gloria – Ancient hymn beginning with Glory to God in the highest.
Gospel – Reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Gradual – Chant between readings in traditional liturgy.

H
Hallel – Psalms sung for certain feasts.
Holy Oils – Sacred oils blessed at the Chrism Mass.
Holy Water – Water blessed by a priest used for blessings.
Homily – Sermon in which the priest or deacon explains the Scripture readings.
Host – Bread consecrated into the Body of Christ.
Humeral Veil – Cloth worn when carrying the monstrance or sacred vessels.

I
Incense – Fragrant resin burned during liturgy.
Intinction – Dipping of the consecrated Host into the Precious Blood.
Introductory Rites – Opening prayers and rituals of the Mass.

K
Kyrie – Lord, have mercy; part of the Penitential Act.

L
Laity – All faithful who are not ordained clergy.
Lamb of God – Litany prayed before Communion.
Lavabo – Washing of the priest’s hands during Mass.
Lectern – Stand from which readings or announcements are made.
Lectionary – Book containing the Scripture readings for Mass.
Litany – Prayer form with repeated responses.
Liturgy – Public worship of the Church.
Liturgy of the Eucharist – Second major part of the Mass.
Liturgy of the Hours – Official daily prayer of the Church.
Liturgy of the Word – First major part of the Mass.
Luna – Glass container that holds the Host in a monstrance.

M
Magnificat – Mary’s prayer in the Gospel of Luke.
Mass – Central act of Catholic worship celebrating the Eucharist.
Missal – The book containing prayers and instructions for Mass.
Mitre – Ceremonial headdress worn by bishops.
Monstrance – Vessel used to display the Blessed Sacrament for adoration.
Mortal Sin – Grave sin that separates a person from God’s grace.

N
Narthex – Entrance or vestibule area of a church.
Nave – Main central area of the church where the congregation sits.
Novena – Devotional prayer said for nine consecutive days.

O
Oblation – Offering of bread, wine, and gifts at Mass.
Offertory – Part of the Mass where gifts are presented.
Orans Position – Priest’s posture with hands extended in prayer.
Ordinary Time – Liturgical season outside major feasts.
Ordination – Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Ordo – Annual calendar guide for liturgical celebrations.

P
Palm Sunday – Sunday before Easter commemorating Christ’s entry into Jerusalem.
Pall (Chalice Pall) – Cover placed over the chalice.
Paschal Candle – Large candle used during Easter, baptisms, and funerals.
Paten – Plate used to hold the Eucharistic bread.
Penitential Act – Confession of sins at the start of Mass.
Pentecost – Feast celebrating the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the Apostles.
Presbyter – Another term for priest.
Processional Cross – Cross carried during the entrance and recessional.
Purificator – Cloth used for wiping the chalice.

R
Rector – Priest in charge of a parish or shrine.
Reredos – Ornamental structure behind the altar.
Rite – Established form of liturgical worship.
Rosary – Devotional prayer honoring Mary and the mysteries of Christ’s life.

S
Sacrament – Visible sign instituted by Christ to give grace.
Sacristan – Person responsible for preparing the altar and sacred items.
Sacristy – Room where sacred vessels and vestments are kept.
Sanctuary – Sacred area around the altar.
Sanctus Bells – Bells rung at key moments of the Mass.
Sanctus – Holy, Holy, Holy; sung before the Eucharistic Prayer.
Scrutiny – Rite for catechumens during Lent.
Servers – Altar servers assisting the priest.
Stole – Long cloth vestment worn by priests and deacons.
Surplice – White garment worn over a cassock.

T
Tabernacle – Secure place where the consecrated Eucharist is reserved.
Tabor – Small stand for elevating the monstrance or tabernacle.
Thurible – Vessel used for burning incense.
Thurifer – Server who carries the thurible.
Transept – Crosswise section of a church building.
Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

V
Veneration – Honor given to saints or sacred objects.
Vespers – Evening prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Vestments – Liturgical garments worn by clergy.
Viaticum – Eucharist given to the dying.
Vigil Mass – Mass offered the evening before a feast.

Z
Zucchetto – Skullcap worn by clergy; white for the Pope, red for cardinals, purple for bishops.