| Index of Catholic Terminology |
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T
Tabernacle: Literally a tent. In early Hebrew Scriptures there was a specific tabernacle or tent in which God resided. A Tabernacle in a Catholic Church is the place in which God resides in the sense that the consecrated Hosts are kept within it for the purpose of having some to bring to the sick. The consecrated hosts are the Body of Christ, that is, God in the form of bread. The Tabernacle is usually situated behind the main altar in the church or on a special side-altar.
Ten Commandments:The rules of life delivered by God to Moses on
Theologate: An institution which provides the last four years of study for candidates for
the priesthood.
Theology: The study of God and religion, deriving from and based on the data of divine Revelation, organized and systematized according to an academic method.
Titular Sees: Dioceses where the Church once flourished but which later died out. Bishops without a territorial or residential diocese of their own, e.g., auxiliary bishops, are given titular sees.
Tobit: Old Testament book not part of the Protestant versions, one of the Apocrypha. See Deuterocanonical Books.
Tradition:The teaching which has been handed down from the Apostles of Jesus and which continues to be handed on by the Church; often refers to truths not spelled out in Scripture. See Deposit of faith.
Transitional Diaconate: The first of the major orders of holy orders, received prior to ordination to the priesthood.
Transubstantiation:A word Catholics use to describe the way in which Jesus is present in the Eucharistic bread and wine.
Trappists: Contemplative religious community of men; Trappistines are the women counterparts. See Cistercians.
Tribunal: A tribunal (court) is the name given to the person or persons who exercise the ChurchÍs judicial powers.
Tridentine Mass:The Latin Mass authorized by the Council of Trent in the 16th Century. It was the form of Mass used by the Western Church until 1969 when Pope John Paul VI authorized the use of a revised Mass which could be said in the language of the country.
Triduum: Begins with-the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, Continues through-Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Culminates in-the Easter Vigil, and Concludes with-Evening Prayer of Easter Sunday. Celebrates the heart of Christian faith, to which all leads and from which all flows: Jesus' redemptive death and resurrection; related to the Church year as Sunday is to each week.
Trinity: The belief in three Persons in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Trinity Sunday: The Sunday after Pentecost. A day on which special honor is paid to the Blessed Trinity.