Index of Catholic Terminology

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R

Raphael: Great painter of the Italian Renaissance (1483-1520) with a vast number of religious works to his credit.

Readers / Lectors:Those who read the scripture passages during Mass. Passages from the Old Testament or the epistles in the New Testament may be read by lay people. Passages from the Gospel are always read by a Priest or Deacon.

Real Presence:The phrase Catholics use to indicate their belief that the Risen Jesus is really present in the Eucharist under the forms of bread and wine.

Reconciliation Room: Small room for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, set up for face-to-face confession, though a screen is sometimes available.

Rector: An ecclesiastic in charge of a college, religious house, or congregation.

Rectory: Residence for priests.

Redemption:Being delivered form evil through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Reflection: is similar to meditation but not as intense an activity. In reflection, one concentrates mental activity and takes the time and effort to carefully consider.

Relics: The physical remains and effects of saints, which are considered worthy of veneration inasmuch as they represent people who are with God. Any part of the bodily remains of a saint; items connected to the saint's life, such as clothing.

Reformation:A movement for reform of certain doctrines and practices of the Church which began in the 16th Century and led to division between Catholic and Protestant Churches.

Religion: The adoration and service of God as expressed through divine worship and acts of faith in daily life.

Religious: Priest/Diocesan Priest Religious priests are professed members of a religious order or institute. Religious clergy live according to the rule of their respective orders. In pastoral ministry, they are under the jurisdiction of their local bishop, as well as the superiors of their order. Diocesan, or secular, priests are under the direction of their local bishop. They commit to serving their congregations and other institutions.

Religious Movements: Groups of people, both lay and clerical, who band together to promote a certain belief or activity.

Requiem:A Mass for the dead. It takes its name from the first word of the prayer with which Mass begins. In Latin this is; "Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine."(Lord, give them eternal rest).

Responsorial Psalm: A psalm which is recited or sung after the first scripture reading at Mass.

Resurrection of the Body:The doctrine that at the end of time the redeemed will rise, body and soul, from the dead and live forever with God.

Retreat: A period of time spent in meditation and religious exercise. Retreats may take various forms, from traditional closed forms, to open retreats which do not disengage the participants from day-to-day life. Both clergy and lay people of all ages participate in retreats. Houses and centers providing facilities for retreats are called retreat houses.

Revelation:God's disclosure of himself to humanity. The greatest revelation of God is Jesus Christ.

Rite: Describes ceremonial activity that proceeds from specific liturgical rules or directions. Some examples are the Rite of Infant Baptism, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and the Rite of Anointing and Pastoral Care of the Sick. Not only these ritual books, but all of the rites currently in use by the Church were revised at the direction of the Second Vatican Council.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): The RCIA is the norms and rituals of the Catholic Church for people who wish to join the Church. Part of the process is also intended for baptized Christians who wish to become Catholics. The term is used in a general sense to refer to the process of entering the Catholic Church. It is also the ritual book in which the Church describes the formation process of Christian initiation. The Second Vatican Council called for the restoration of the ancient process of initiation which included stages of growth and conversion in Christ marked by steps or liturgical celebrations. The four stages in initiation are: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment and Mystagogy. The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens is the step between Inquiry and the Catechumenate. The Rite of Election is the step which celebrates the beginning of Purification and Enlightenment. And celebrating initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) signals the step into Mystagogy.

Roman Catholic Church: The Latin Rite or Roman Rite--Church of the West centered in Rome when the Eastern Orthodox Church separated. The Roman catholic Church is not the only Catholic Church which recognizes the Pope as its head. There are 22 other catholic Church that do so, e.g., the Byzantine Rite or Byzantine Catholic Church.

Roman Curia: The official collective name for the administrative agencies and courts, and their officials, who assist the Pope in governing the Church. Members are appointed and granted authority by the Pope.

Rome: - Diocese of The City of Rome is the diocese of the Pope, who also serves as the Bishop of Rome.

Rosary : A form of prayer reflecting on the main events in the life, death and Resurrection (the Paschal Mystery) of Jesus and Mary, his mother. There are fifteen of these events, called mysteries, divided into three groups of five: Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious. The prayers which go with each mystery are : 1 x Our Father; 10 x Hail Mary's; 1 x Glory be to the Father. Rosary beads are used to help count the prayers. The repetition is an aid to concentration and is used in rather the same way as a mantra in some Eastern religions.

Royal Doors: Gateway to the sanctuary in an Iconostasis (wooden screen) in an Eastern Rite church. See Iconostasis.