| Index of Catholic Terminology |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | |
Tip: Hit CTRL-F on your keyboard to search for items on this page.
C
Candidate: Candidate in the Catechumenate refers to a person who is baptized in another faith and who will be completing Christian initiation by being formally received into the Catholic Church. This term is also used in referring to a baptized Catholic who is seeking to complete Christian initiation through the celebration of Confirmation and Eucharist. Anyone seeking a sacrament may be referred to as a candidate.
Canon: 1) Greek for rule, norm, standard, measure. 1) Designates the Canon of Sacred Scripture, the list of books recognized by the Church as inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2) A rule of belief or conduct. A formal law of the Church. 3) One of a body of dignitaries attached to a cathedral or a collegiate church, or a member of certain religious orders.
Canon Law:The law of the Church. The name attached to that body of rules or laws for the direction of all faithful in matters of faith and conduct. It is that group of laws prescribed to Christians, i.e., baptized persons, by the authority of the Church regarding faith, morals, and discipline. Today we follow the New Code (Codex Iuris Canonici) promulgated by Pope John Paul II on
Canonist: One who is skilled or learned in Canon Law; usually refers to one who has received the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. It also is used loosely to refer to a judge or official of an ecclesiastical court who is generally well trained in Canon Law.
Canonization: A declaration by the Pope that a person who died a martyr or practiced Christian virtue to a heroic degree is in heaven and is worthy of honor and imitation by the faithful. Verification of miracles is required for canonization (except for martyrs).
Canticle: Sacred song or poem found in the Bible; e.g., one from the Old Testament as recorded in Daniel 3:52-57; or one from the New Testament as found in Luke 1:40-55.
Cantor: One who leads the singing during the liturgy (i.e., the responsorial psalm).
Capital: (sins) The so-called "deadly sins,' seven in number, called "capital" because they are the source of most other sins; called "deadly" because they easily lead to mortal sins. They need not be separate acts but can exist as habits or vices. The seven capital sins are: pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth.
Capuchin: A religious order following the Franciscan rule whose name is derived from the cowl worn on the habit, or religious garb. The order was instituted in 1525 by Matteo da Bassi as a reform or return to the original observance of the rule of St. Francis. Its abbreviation is: O.F.M. Cap.
Cardinal: The name given to the members of the Sacred College appointed by the Pope; the number of these members should not exceed seventy. They govern in the Church and advise the Holy Father in council; upon the death of the Pope they gather to elect a successor. In the College of Cardinals there are three ranks of dignity ranging in order: Cardinal bishops, Cardinal priests, cardinal deacons. (I) Cardinal Protector is one of the Cardinals of the Sacred College appointed to watch over the interests of a particular religious order, congregation, or nation but who has no jurisdiction over it. (2) Cardinal Vicar is the vicar general of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome who administers the spiritual affairs of the diocese; he is always a cardinal.
Cardinal Virtues: The four great moral virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, so named because of their importance since all other moral virtues are connected with one or other of these.
Carmelite Order: The Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is one of the mendicant orders originating on
Carthusian: An order of monks founded by St. Bruno in the eleventh century.
Cassock: A tunic shaped garment reaching from the neck to the heels worn as an outside garment by priests or clerics.
Catacomb: An underground place of burial of the early Christians which became a place of refuge during the persecutions, and where public services might be held. They were dug in the tufa granolare, a soft strata of earth adaptable to excavation. When used in the plural, they usually refer to those outside of
Catechesis: Religious instruction and formation for persons preparing for baptism (catechumens) and for the faithful in various stages of spiritual development.
Catechetical: Referring to catechesis.
Catechetics: From the Greek meaning ñto sound forth,î it is the procedure for teaching religion.
Catechism: A written summary of Christian teaching based on Scripture and Tradition, often in question and answer form.
Catechist: Someone who teaches Christian doctrine, especially in Parish or School. In most dioceses today a Catechist must be certified by the local diocese to be called a catechist.
Catechumen: One who is preparing to receive Baptism. In the early ages of the Church a period of two years or more was usually required before the instruction was considered complete and the sincerity of the person was proven. The typical time for preparation in the
Cathedra: (1) The chair in which the bishop sits; also termed throne. (2) A symbol of the authority of the bishop; also a symbol of authoritative teaching. (3) ex cathedra, a term used to denote the Pope's supreme and infallible authority when he teaches the faithful regarding matters pertaining to faith and morals
Cathedral: The home church of the bishop in his diocese; the church in which the chair of the bishop is located and from which it derives its name.
Catholic: Greek word for universal. First used in the title Catholic Church in a letter written by St. Ignatius of
Catholic Relief Services CRS: Overseas charitable aid agency established by Catholics in the
Catholic Sharing Appeal / Catholic Campaign for Human Development: The US Catholic bishopsÍ domestic anti-poverty program. Started in 1970, it is funded through an annual collection in Catholic parishes.
Celibacy: The state of being unmarried. A law in the western Church forbidding under pain of nullity the marriage of men in Holy Orders.
Celebrant:The priest or bishop who celebrates a Mass or conducts any other church service as distinguished from his assistants in the service..
Celebrator: Used only to describe a participant in a nonreligious celebration.
Cell: A small unit of a monastery. (2) The room or separate dwelling of a monk; his living quarters.
Cemetery: burial ground; a place set aside for burying; a graveyard. Land consecrated and set apart for the burying of Christians; each lot may be consecrated individually.
Cenacle: The upper room where Christ and His Apostles ate the Last Supper. Also a religious order.
Censer: The vessel in which incense is burned at certain liturgical functions. Also called thurible. See thurible.
Cenobite: (or Coenobite) In the early eastern Church, one who lived in a community, religious in nature; a word equivalent in the Eastern Church to monk.
Censor: person appointed by the bishop to pass judgment regarding correct doctrine of faith or morals contained in a book or other writing previous to publication. Usually a priest known for his learning.
Censure: A spiritual and reforming penalty imposed by the Church on a baptized person for the correction of an offense. The censure deprives that one of spiritual advantages or benefits connected with spiritual matters. Absolution from censures is governed in accordance with the offense and the penalty attached; thus it may be reserved to one in authority, to the bishop, or to the Pope. In danger of death, any priest can absolve from all censures.
Chalice:The cup used at Mass to hold the wine. These are referred to as Sacred Vessels.
Chancellor: The chief archivist of the official records of a diocese. Also a notary and secretary of the diocesan curia.
Chancery: (1) The business office from which all documents pertaining to the exercise of the bishop's jurisdiction proceed; a place of retaining all legal papers in all matters pertaining to the jurisdiction of the bishop sometimes called the Pastoral Center (2) An office of the Roman Curia which expedites letters providing for the erection of new provinces and dioceses, and for other matters of greater importance.
Chapel: A building, smaller than a church, for divine worship; private or semipublic; also a portion of a church set aside for celebrating Mass or for a particular devotion.
Chapter House or Room: The meeting place of monks or religious within their monastery.
Chaplain: Literally, a priest given charge of a chapel; a priest appointed to exercise the sacred ministry in an institution such as a convent or hospital; one appointed to serve in a particular way, as, e.g., an army chaplain.
Character: In theological usage, a spiritual mark imprinted upon the soul by the reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Literally an indelible stamp or seal.
Charismatic Renewal:A movement within the Church which aims for renewal by being attuned to the power of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of individuals and communities.
Charisms: Gifts or graces given by God to persons for the good of others and the Church.
Chastity: All Catholics are called to live a chaste life whether married or single. The virtue excluding all voluntary pleasure or indulgence in acts arising from the sexual impulse in unmarried persons, and moderating within the bounds of right reason acts pertaining to sexual relations in the married.
Chasuble: The external garment or vestment worn by the priest in celebrating Mass, worn as a mantle over his shoulders and covering the body, front and rear, and descending to the knees. The Roman style of chasuble is more squarely shaped, while the Greek style is more circular in shape and hangs down on the upper parts of the arms.
Chor bishop: In the Maronite rite and the Greek Orthodox Church an auxiliary bishop may be called a chor bishop. When used in other Eastern Catholic rites it is an honorary term for a close assistant of a bishop, usually the equivalent of a vicar general.
Chrism:A mixture of olive oil and balsam which is blessed by the Bishop during Holy Week and is used in the administration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. Chrism may also be used in the consecration of bishops, of churches, altar stones, and in other solemn blessings things.
Christ: The title of Jesus, derived from Greek translation Kyrios of the Hebrew term Messiah, meaning the Anointed of God.
Christ the King:A feast celebrated on the last Sunday of the Church's year acclaiming Christ as King of the World.
Christening: Formerly a term applied to the Sacrament of Baptism. The act of naming in the ceremony of administering Baptism.
Christian: In earliest times the name applied to a follower of Christ. Later used as (1) a term designating one who possessed a belief in Christ; (2) a Catholic; (3) a baptized person. In the first century Christians may have been called "The People of the Way."
Christmas:The feast of the birth of Jesus celebrated on December 25; the Feast of the Nativity.
Christology: The formal study of Jesus Christ; scientific study of the doctrine and theory of Christ's natures and person.
Church: (1) The People of God, i.e., the universal Church that is spread throughout the world; the local Church is that of a particular locality, such as a diocese. The Church embraces all its members„on earth, in heaven and in purgatory. (2) A place where Christians assemble. A building devoted to divine worship for use of the faithful in a group.
Ciborium: A bowl or chalice-shaped vessel to hold the consecrated Hosts for the distribution of Holy Communion. After distribution The consecrated Hosts are kept in a ciborium or ciboria (pl) with a cover in the Tabernacle. The early meaning was that of a canopy over the altar.
Cincture: A woven cord used as a belt about the waist to hold the alb.
Cistercians: Monks of the Order of Citeaux begun by St. Robert in the eleventh century for a more strict observance of the rule of St. Benedict. There are two Observances, the Common and the Strict, or the Trappists. There are also Cistercian nuns who are always cloistered and live contemplative lives.
Clergy:A term applied to men who have been Ordained for ministry within the Church. Bishops, Priests and Deacons are members of the Clergy. Sometimes the use of the word includes all religious, even Sisters and lay brothers.
Cleric: One belonging to the clergy, one in the clerical state.
Cloister: Part of a convent or monastery reserved for use by members of the order that live in that facility.
Coadjutor: One who helps a bishop in performing the duties of the diocese. An administrator bishop. Also see bishop.
Coats of arms: The hierarchy of the Church, that is, the Pope, cardinals, archbishops, and bishops have coats of arms. These are heraldic emblems, usually consisting of a shield surmounted by the tiara or ecclesiastical hat, from which cords with tassels descend. Usually a motto is also attached. The coat of arms of a cardinal is distinguished by a scarlet ecclesiastical hat from which drop two cords, each having fifteen tassels; the archbishop's has a green hat and ten tassels on each descending cord; the bishops has a green hat also, but only six tassels on each cord. The right (from the viewpoint of the bearer) side of the shield represents the diocese; the left side the family arms of the prelate.
Collarium: The name sometimes applied to the large, stiffly starched linen collar worn by the members of some religious orders of sisters or nuns.
College of Cardinals: The College of Cardinals is made up of the cardinals of the Church, who advise the Pope, assist in the central administration of the Church, head the various curial offices and congregations, administer the Holy See during a vacancy, and elect a new Pope.
Collegiality: The shared responsibility and authority that the whole college of bishops, headed by the Pope, has for the teaching, sanctification and government of the Church.
Collegio Romano: The main Jesuit seminary, founded by Ignatius de Loyola in 1551. It received the right to grant doctorates along with other privileges enjoyed by other universities through papal bulls in 1552 and 1556.
Colors: (liturgical) The colors which may be used in the vestments of the Church. They are: white, red, green, purple, and old rose for use on the third Sunday of Advent and the fourth Sunday of Lent. Sometimes sky blue is permitted for feasts of Our Lady. Cloth of gold may be substituted for white, red, or green; silver for white only. See also Liturgical.
Common: (1) The ordinary of the Mass, especially the sung parts. (2) The part of the Missal or Breviary wherein are found the Masses and offices of all saints who are not assigned special Masses or offices.
Communion under both species (kinds):Receiving Holy Communion under both of the forms of bread and wine. It is becoming increasingly common for Catholics to receive Holy Communion in this way, particularly on special occasions.
Communion: (1) A word often applied to the Eucharist, derived from the time of the Mass when the Eucharist is received; the name designating the Sacred Host and Wine in which the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ are present. (2) The reception of the Sacred Species of wine and bread by the priest in
Communion of Saints: The union binding together in charity all members of the Church, living and deceased. The Mystical Body of Christ.
Compline: Night Prayer, the final prayer for the day in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Concelebration:The celebration of Mass by several Priests together.
Conclave:The meeting of the Cardinals in complete seclusion, when they assemble to elect a new Pope; also the assembly itself.
Concordance: An alphabetical index to the Bible, arranged according to the principal words in each text.
Concupiscence: The appetite tending to the gratification of the senses; in itself it may be either good or bad, depending on whether or not its object is conformable to right reason.
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM): Organization of major superiors representing communities of men religious in the
Confession: Part of the sacrament of penance or reconciliation, not a term for the sacrament itself although it the sacrament is popularly called confession.
Confirmation: One of the three sacraments of initiation, along with Baptism and Eucharist. It strengthens a person and enables him or her to resist sin. It is usually done during teenage years. The ordinary minister of this sacrament is the Bishop. The Bishop dips his right thumb in Chrism and anoints the person on the forehead by making the sign of the cross and says, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Confessor:A Priest who hears the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Congregation: (1) A group of Catholics, usually members of a parish, assembled in church. (2) Religious- a religious institute, whether diocesan or papal, bound by a common rule with only simple vows, whether perpetual or temporary. (3) Papal - departments of the Roman curia organized to carry on the business and ecclesiastical affairs of the Holy See; groups to give counsel and advice to the Pope.
Congress: A mass gathering of the Catholic faithful and clergy for the advancement of spiritual, social, and intellectual activities, like a Eucharistic Congress.
Conscience: The innate capacity to do good and avoid evil. Judgment of reason concerning the goodness or badness of an act, which one is contemplating performing, according to the principles of moral law. A person is bound to follow his conscience even though it be inculpably erroneous and, also, one is bound to form a right conscience.
Consecration:Making something sacred. It describes the moment during Mass when the bread and wine are changed into the body and blood of Christ.
Consubstantial: Of the same substance --The term used to denote the oneness of the nature of Christ with that of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are at one with each other.
Contemplation: describes a particular prayer form which relies less on thinking and systematic thought processes and more on the direct experience of God's presence. While systematic meditation* may lead to contemplative prayer, this form is generally considered a gift from God and not the result of what one is doing in praying. Contemplation is described by many spiritual writers as the deepest type of prayer that involves the core of a person's being.
Contemplative: A religious man or woman who devotes his/her entire life in the cloister to prayer and reflection.
Contrition:The acknowledgment of sin and sorrow for it. It is perfect contrition if it is based on love of God, imperfect contrition if based on a lower motive like fear of punishment.
Convalidation: A legal remedy by which a couple's marriage consent which was invalid is subsequently made valid. (
Convent: In the
Conversion: Literally, to turn toward --to turn toward Christ. Conversion is a life-long process whereby we are continuously challenged to keep turning to Christ.
Convert: A person who has not been baptized and becomes a Catholic by reception of Baptism or by profession of faith. One who has already been baptized in another faith and becomes Catholic is not properly called a convert; They are those who have "come into full communion."
Cope: A cape-like vestment reaching from the shoulders to the feet. It is fastened with a clasp in front called the morse and usually has a smaller cape resting on the shoulders. It is the external vestment worn for liturgical services as Exposition or Processions. It is not a vestment limited to the use of priests alone but may be worn by a deacon, a cantor, or a layman
Copts: (I) The Christian Egyptians who adhered to Monophysism and are governed by the Patriarch of
Corporal: The square linen cloth which placed on the altar and on which the chalice and paten is placed; it symbolizes the winding sheet in which the body of Christ was buried.
Corporal Works of Mercy: Seven forms of charity or mercy directed to the physical well-being of a needy person; the seven works of mercy are: to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to give drink to the thirsty, to visit the sick, to visit prisoners, to give shelter to strangers, and to bury the dead.
Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR): Organization of major superiors approved by the Holy See for the purpose of assisting the individual institutes of the members, transacting common business, and fostering suitable coordination and cooperation with the conferences of bishops and also with individual bishops.
Counter Reformation: As dissenting groups split off from the Catholic Church in what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church began a series of reform measures of her own. These reform measures aimed at defining just what Catholics did believe, aimed at keeping Catholic Church members from becoming Protestants, and were known as the Catholic Reformation or Counter Reformation.
Covetousness: Excessive love of temporal things, usually riches; overt desire for things of the world.
Creed: from the Latin, credo, "I believe," a pithy, official formulation of the tenets of the faith. The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are the two best-known examples of Christian creeds (either is mandated for use at Sunday Mass when the Church confesses its faith liturgically). In the course of Christian history, there have come down to us other creeds, such as the Athanasian Creed and the Creed of Hippolytus.
Crosier (pastoral staff): The staff which a bishop carries when he presides at the liturgy.
Cross/Crucifix: An object is a crucifix only if it depicts Christ on a cross, otherwise it is a cross.
Crucifix:A cross with the figure of the crucified Jesus upon it. Used by Catholics to bring to mind the sufferings of Christ.
Curia Romana: The body of congregations, offices, permanent commissions, and such that assist the pope in the government and administration of the church.
CWL:Catholic Women's League: An organization promoting religious, education and social welfare and represents Catholic women's interests on national and international bodies.