| Index of Catholic Terminology |
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M
Maccabean Era: A period of time in the second century B.C. When the last Old Testament books were first written.
Maccabees: Two Old Testament books not part of the Protestant versions, two of the Apocrypha. See Deuterocanonical Books.
Magisterium:The teaching authority of the Church.
Marian Theology: Church teachings and traditions regarding Mary, the Mother of God.
Marriage Encounter: A weekend religious experience for married couples which aims to make good marriages better
Martin Luther: (d. 1546) Augustinian monk (Catholic Priest) who was eventually responsible for starting the Protestant Reformation; founder of the
Martyr:A Christian who bears witness to the truth of the Gospel to the point of death.
Matrimony: One of the seven Sacraments, this is a marriage covenant / contract between baptized persons. The love shared between the couple reflects the love of Christ for his people.
Maryknoll: Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, a religious order founded in 1911.
Mary: The central point of the theology of Mary is that Mary always points to Christ. She is the Mother of God. In traditions since apostolic times, the Church and the faithful have accorded to Mary the highest forms of veneration. She is not worshiped. She is celebrated in feasts throughout the year, and in devotions such as the rosary and litany and is hailed the patroness of many countries, including the
Mass: The common name for the Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church. Also referred to as Eucharist, Celebration of the Liturgy, Eucharistic celebration, Sacrifice of the Mass or Lord’s Supper. NOTE: Do not use: “Saying Mass” or “
Master of Ceremonies: One who assists in the preparation of the liturgy and is present to facilitate the movement of the entire celebration
Maundy Thursday:See "Holy Thursday".
May Devotions:Special services held during the month of May to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Meditation: Reflecting on God or the things of God in one's own heart. Meditation is a particular form of prayer whereby one purposely focuses attention. This focus may be achieved by concentrating on a singular image or object. Suitable objects for Christian meditation include texts of Sacred Scripture, religious artwork, events in the life of Christ, images of Mary and the saints and events of everyday life which heighten one's awareness of God.
Mendicants: Religious orders without property rights whose members work or begged for their support
Metropolitan: The archbishop of an archdiocese in a province. He has limited supervisory powers and influence over the other dioceses and bishops in the province.
Michelangelo: Italian sculptor, painter, and architect (14751564), responsible for some of the greatest religious art.
Military Ordinariate: (Archdiocese for the Military Services,
Minister: From the Latin word for ñservant,î in the ecclesiastical sense a minister is (1) an ordained cleric or (2) one who has the authority to minister to others
Ministry: Service in or to the Church done with the love of Christ.
Miracle/ Apparitions: Generally ñmiracleî is used to refer to physical phenomena that defy natural explanation, such as medically unexplainable cures. An apparition is a supernatural manifestation of God, an angel or a saint to an individual or a group of individuals.
Miracle Play: Medieval religious dramas meant as teaching aids; preceded morality plays.
Missal:A book containing the prayers of
Miter: A hat with peaks in front and back, worn by a bishop at liturgical services.
Mixed Missionaries:Christians who proclaim the Gospel to non-Christians in a foreign country.
Monastery: An autonomous community house of a religious order, which may or may not be a monastic order. The term is used more specifically to refer to a community house of men or women religious in which they lead a contemplative life separate from the world.
Mohammed: The founder of the religion of Islam in 622.
Monasticism: Derived from the Greek, monos, or "one, alone," describing the institutional pursuit of religious life where individuals take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, separating themselves from the world either alone (as hermits) or in community. Monasticism attempts under the guidance of a rule (for example, the Rule of St. Benedict) to establish a life of prayer and work for the glory of God, for the personal holiness of the individual, and for the good of the Church and the world. Different monastic orders sometimes take their name from the founder of their rule, such as the Benedictines (St. Benedict), Franciscans (St. Francis of
Monk / Friar: A man who belongs to one of the monastic orders in the Church, such as Basilians, Benedictines, Cistercians and Carthusians. Monsignor An honorary ecclesiastical title granted by the Pope to some diocesan priests. In the
Monsignor: An honorary title given to a priest who distinguishes himself by outstanding service.
Monstrance:An ornate receptacle in which a consecrated host is placed so that the Risen Christ in the form of bread, can be seen and venerated by the people, used for the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
Mortal Sin:A serious sin by which a Christian cuts himself off from God's grace. Catholics who are conscious of having committed a mortal sin are bound to confess to a Priest.
Mother of God:A title given to Mary because she is the mother of Jesus the Christ who is both God and man.
Mystery:A truth which cannot be completely grasped by human reason.
Mysticism: Communion with God the divine source of all life.