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S
Sacristan: The person who takes care of the sanctuary, sacred vessels, and altar linens:
Sacristy:The room in the church where the Priests vests for Mass and other services and place where the sacred vessels are kept.
Saints:Members of the Church whose holiness of life is recognized after their deaths and who are venerated by the Church on earth. Before anyone is proclaimed as a Saint (canonized) a process of careful investigation of their life is carried out.
Saint Vincent de Paul Society: An organization of lay people who serve the poor through spiritual and material works of mercy. The society operates stores, rehabilitation workshops, food centers, shelters, criminal justice and other programs. Its national headquarters are in
Sanctuary: The part of the church where the altar is located.
Sanctuary Lamp: A lamp which is kept burning in front of the tabernacle in Catholic churches as a sign and a reminder that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist (Consecrated Host).
Scapular: Primarily and originally a garment, the frock-like working habit of the Benedictines; a long, shoulder-width piece of material, put on over the head, that would cover a person's front and back, like a durable apron. With the rise of the third orders in the thirteenth century, it evolved into a more symbolic garment ("the yoke of Christ"), a monastic overtone in many religious habits. It was modified, becoming part of the habit, then worn under clothing (two small double squares of cloth suspended on strings). Finally, a "lay" scapular evolved, a devotional article worn by anyone, but especially as a sign of membership in a confraternity; two small rectangles of cloth worn front and back, connected by ribbons and worn under clothing. The Five Scapulars Special devotion to five of the eighteen most familiar that are Church approved: 1. The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 2. The Red Scapular of Christ's Passion 3. The Black Scapular of the Seven Sorrows of Mary 4. The Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception 5. The White Scapular of the Holy Trinity.
Scrutiny: The name given to the ritual celebrations occurring on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent during the stage of initiation known as Purification and Enlightenment*. Within the Scrutiny celebrations, a laying on of hands and an exorcism prayer expresses the Church's concern for the elect, as the community of the faithful prays that not only the elect but all God's children be delivered from the power of evil.
Second
Secular Institutes: Societies of men and women living in the world who dedicate themselves to observe the evangelical counsels and to carry on apostolic works suitable to their talents and opportunities in every day life.
Seder Meal: Jewish feast celebrated in the home with a meal; commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from
See: Another name for diocese or archdiocese.
Seminary: An educational institution with a formation program for men preparing for the priesthood or diaconate.
Septuagint: The Hebrew Scriptures translated into Greek; also called the Alexandrian Canon. See Deuterocanonical Books.
Sermon: When a sermon is part of the Mass, it is properly called a Homily. A talk in which the Word of God is explained. Only people commissioned by the Bishop are allowed to give Homilies, usually Priests or Deacons. Whereas a sermon can be about any topic, a homily should be about the scriptures or prayers used in that
Sermon on the Mount: Chapters 5- 7 of Matthew's Gospel, which includes many of Jesus' teachings. See Beatitudes.
Sexton: Infrequently used term for a church maintenance person.
Shrine: 1) A sacred place associated with a holy person or a supernatural occurrence. 2) Place erected to encourage private devotions to a saint or God, It usually contains a picture, statue or other religious feature capable of inspiring devotional prayer.
Shroud of
Sign of Peace: A greeting to those around one during the Communion Rite of the
Sign of the Cross: A sign Catholics use by which a person professes faith in the Holy Trinity and blesses themselves . It is made with the right hand touching the forehead, the breast and shoulders while saying the words; In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Catholics make the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass, at the beginning of other forms of prayer and sometimes before beginning an activity at the start of a new day.
Simony: Buying and selling spiritual goods.
Sirach or Ecclesiasticus: Old Testament book not part of the Protestant versions, one of the Apocrypha. See Sirach and Deuterocanonical Books.
Sister: Any woman religious, in popular speech. Strictly, the title applies to those women religious belonging to institutes whose members have not professed solemn vows, most of which were established during and since the 19th century.
Sodality: A group of laity, established for the promotion of Christian life and worship, or some other religious purpose.
Soul: The spiritual element of a person's nature.
Spiritual Works of Mercy: Seven spiritual charitable works encouraged by the Church 1)Counsel the doubtful, 2) Instruct the ignorant, 3) Admonish the sinner, 4) Comfort the sorrowful, 5) forgive injuries, 6) Bear wrongs patiently, 7) Pray for the living and the dead. See also Corporal works of mercy.
Sponsor: 1) A godparent at baptism; 2) A person who accompanies another preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation, or for confirmation or marriage.
Stained-glass Windows: Colorful windows often found in churches, many tell biblical stories or depict saints, others are symbolic and are designed to inspire prayer.
Stations of the Cross: Or the Way of the Cross, a series of fourteen meditations on incidents in the suffering and death of Christ. Pictures of these scenes can be found round the walls of most Catholic churches. Stations can be done individually, or in groups with one person leading the prayers and moving from Station to station.
Statues: Three-dimensional representations of Jesus, Mary, the saints, or angels; often found in churches, but away from the main altar. Catholics do not pray to statues they are merely meant to inspire prayer and a good life by remembering the saints who have gone before us.
Stigmata: Marks on a body that correspond to some or all of the wounds of Christ; (marks of Jesus' passion and crucifixion, or, as in specific cases, the mark of the spear or the crown of thorns). No one must believe in stigmatism's divine origin, but it remains a special sign of oneness with Christ's sacrificial suffering (see St. Paul Gal 6.17) and is for some an aid to piety. The first known stigmatic is Francis of Assisi, who developed bleeding sores on his palms. Others include Catherine of Siena, Nicholas of Ravenna, Anne Girling (foundress of an English sect of the Shakers, and-in our own day -Padre Pio and Theresa Neumann.
Stipend: Monetary offering made to a priest when requesting that a Mass be said for a particular intention or person.
Stole: Long, narrow strip of cloth; vestment, worn across the shoulders and down the front, by the priest. It is the sign of priestly office; the deacon wears a stole across one shoulder and attached at the waist on the other side.
S.V.P.Stands for Society of St Vincent de Paul: A society of men and women willing to undertake charitable works.
Swiss Guards: The
Synod:A meeting of about two-hundred Bishops from all over the world representing their various countries with legislative and policymaking powers. Usually held in