Glossary

Apostle

Literally, “one sent.” Refers to the twelve men chosen by Christ to be the bearers of his teachings to the world, and also, in a broader sense, to other important early evangelizers such as St. Paul.

Apostolic

Refers to what derives in some way from the tradition of preaching and teaching passed down in the Church from the Apostles.

Apostolic Camera

A “chamber” or office in the Roman Curia headed by the Chamberlain (Camerlengo) of the Holy Roman Church, whose chief responsibility is the administration of the Church during the interim between the death of a pope and the election of a successor. Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo is currently Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church.

Apostolic Constitution

This is a solemn, papal document with legislative authority dealing with important matters of faith or Church life affecting the whole Church or a sizable part of it. An apostolic constitution was used to promulgate the revised Code of Canon Law in 1983.

Apostolic Exhortation

This is a papal document that, while not legislative in nature, promotes Church teaching. Examples include exhortations issued by the pope following a Synod of Bishops.

Apostolic Letter

An apostolic letter is a papal letter usually sent to a particular group of persons, for example, a group of bishops, rather than to the entire Church. It is not a legislative text.

Apostolic Nunciature

The offices of the Holy Father’s representative to the Church in a country and then to the government in that country.

Apostolic Succession

The handing on of apostolic preaching and authority from the Apostles to the Church through their successors, the bishops.

Beatification

A declaration by the pope that a person who died a martyr or practiced Christian virtue to a heroic degree is “blessed” and holy and thus worthy of honor and imitation by the faithful. This is the step prior to canonization, in which a person is declared to be a saint.

Bishop

Bishops are the successors to the Apostles. Together they form the college of bishops, of which the head is the Bishop of Rome, the pope, as the successor to St. Peter. Each diocesan bishop has the responsibility of pastoral care for a particular church (a diocese) and also, as a member of the college of bishops, for the universal Church.

Camerlengo (Chamberlain)

1) The Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church is a cardinal with special responsibilities, especially during the time between the death of one pope and the election of his successor; among other things, he safeguards and administers the goods and revenues of the Holy See and heads particular congregations of cardinals for special purposes.

2) The Chamberlain of the College of Cardinals has charge of the property and revenues of the College and keeps the record of business transacted in consistories.

Canon Law

The rules (canons or laws) which provide the norms for good order in the visible society of the Church. Those canons that apply universally are contained in the Codes of Canon Law. The most recent Code of Canon Law was promulgated in 1983 for the Latin (Western) Church and in 1991 for the Eastern Church (The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches).

Canonization

The process by which the Church declares a person to be a saint and puts forward this person as worthy of veneration by the universal Church.

Cardinals, College of

The College of Cardinals is made up of the cardinals of the Church, almost all bishops, who have been appointed to advise the pope and to assist in the governance of the Church. Upon the death of the pope, the College elects a new pope.

Catechesis

Religious instruction and formation in the faith.

Cathedral

The major church in an archdiocese, diocese, or eparchy. It is the seat of the local bishop.

Catholic

Greek word for “universal.” First used in the title Catholic Church in a letter written by St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Christians of Smyrna about 107 A.D.

Church

1) The universal Church that is spread throughout the world.

2) The local Church is that of a particular locality, such as a diocese. The Church embraces all its members— on earth, in heaven, in purgatory.

Collegiality

Refers to the fact that the whole college of bishops, headed by the pope, shares responsibility and authority for the teaching, sanctification and government of the Church.

Conclave

The private assembly of cardinals who elect a pope. Electors must be under the age of 80. For an election there must be a two-thirds majority. If a two-thirds majority has not been reached after 30 ballots, election is by an absolute majority.

Consecrated Life

A permanent state of life recognized by the Church, entered freely in response to the call of Christ to perfection, and characterized by the profession of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Consistory

An assembly of cardinals presided over by the pope.

Curia

The personnel and offices through which 1) the pope administers the affairs of the universal Church (the Roman Curia), or 2) a bishop administers the affairs of a diocese (diocesan curia).

Deacon/diaconate

Deacons serve in the ministry of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity. The diaconate is the first order or grade in ordained ministry. Any man who is to be ordained to the priesthood must first be ordained as a transitional deacon. The Permanent Diaconate is for men who do not plan to become ordained priests and is open to both married and unmarried men.

Diocese

A particular church, a fully organized ecclesiastical jurisdiction under the pastoral direction of a bishop as local Ordinary, with the cooperation and assistance of the priests and deacons.

Ecumenism

Promotion of the restoration of unity among all Christians, the unity which is a gift of Christ and

to which the Church is called by the Holy Spirit. For the Catholic Church, the Decree on Ecumenism of the Second Vatican Council provides a charter for ecumenical efforts.

Encyclical

A pastoral letter on an important matter addressed by the pope to the whole Church and even to the whole world. Among the most famous encyclicals have been Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum and Pope John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris.

Eparchy

In the Eastern Catholic Churches, a particular church governed by a bishop; equivalent to the term “diocese” used in the Latin Church.

Episcopal

Of or pertaining to a bishop or bishops. From the Greek episkopos, “bishop.”

Hierarchy

Refers to the differentiation of various offices of ministry in the Church (deacon, priest, bishop)

and their ordering relative to one another. The term is also commonly used to refer to the order

of bishops alone.

Holy Father

A title of the pope, an adaptation of the Latin title Beatissimus Pater, “Most Blessed Father.”

Holy See

Refers to the pope, who occupies the chair or seat of Peter as bishop of Rome, and to the various officials and bodies of the Church’s central administration— the Roman Curia— which act in the name and by authority of the pope.

Instruction

A document to explain implementation of a Church law, which can be issued by the relevant authority in a particular matter, such as the pope or a bishop.

Keys, Power of the

Spiritual authority and jurisdiction in the Church, symbolized by the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven that Christ entrusted to St. Peter.

Lay ministries

These are ministries within the Church that are carried out by laypersons. Included are altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and lectors.

Lectionary

The book that contains all the readings from the Scriptures for use in the celebration of the liturgy.

Liturgy

The public worship and prayer of the Church.

Liturgy of the Word

That part of the celebration of the Mass when the Scriptures are proclaimed and reflected upon. On Sundays and major feasts, there are three readings:

1) Old Testament selection

2) New Testament selection (from the Epistles)

3) The Gospel reading

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The part of the celebration of the Mass when the gifts of bread and wine are prepared and offered to the Father. Through the Eucharistic prayer proclaimed by the priest, the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ and are then received by the people.

Magisterium

The official teaching office of the Church.

Mary

The mother of Jesus Christ and thus bearer of the title “Mother of God.” From apostolic times, the faithful have accorded to Mary the highest forms of veneration (as opposed to adoration or the worship given to God alone). She is celebrated throughout the year and in devotions such as the rosary and litany and is hailed the patroness of many countries, including the United States.

Mass

The common name for the Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church. Synonyms: Eucharist,

Eucharistic celebration.

Miracles, apparitions

Generally ‘miracle’ 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.

Mitre

A headdress worn at some liturgical functions by bishops, abbots, and, in certain cases, other ecclesiastics.

Motu Proprio

Coming from the Latin phrase meaning “of his own initiative,” a motu proprio is an apostolic letter which is legislative in nature and addressed to the entire Church, often treating an administrative matter. Recently the Pope issued a motu proprio amending church law in the matter of certain serious offenses including clerical sexual abuse.

Papabile

Informal term referring to someone who appears to be a likely candidate for election to the papacy.

Papal infallibility

In fulfillment of Christ’s promise to sustain his Church, the Holy Spirit is at work in the Church

to preserve the Church from error in its definitive teachings on faith and morals. In extraordinary

circumstances, as defined by the First Vatican Council, the pope exercises the gift of infallible teaching that has been given to the entire Church.

Papal Representatives

The three types of representatives of the Roman Pontiff are:

1) Legate—An individual appointed by the pope to be his personal representative to a nation, international conference, or local church. The legate may be chosen from the local clergy of a country.

2) Apostolic Nuncio—In the United States, the papal representative is sent by the pope to both the local church and to the government. His title is Apostolic Nuncio. Although he holds the title of ambassador, in US law he is not accorded the special privilege of being the dean of the diplomatic corps.

3) Permanent Observer to the United Nations—The Apostolic See maintains permanent legates below the ambassadorial level to represent its interests at several world organizations. Since the papal representative does not enjoy the right to vote at the United Nations, his title there is that of Observer.

Papal Secretariat of State

The Secretariat of State provides the pope with the closest possible assistance in the care of the universal Church. It consists of two sections:

1) The Section for General Affairs assists the pope in expediting daily business of the Holy See. It coordinates curial operations; prepares drafts of documents entrusted to it by the pope; has

supervisory duties over the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Annuario Pontificio, the Vatican Press Office and the Central Statistics Office.

2) The Section for Relations with States (formerly the Council for Public Affairs of the Church, a separate body) handles diplomatic and other relations with civil governments. Attached to it is a council of cardinals and bishops.

The current officers of the Secretariat of State: Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State;

Most Rev. Leonardo Sandri, Deputy for General Affairs; Most Rev. Giovanni Lajolo, Secretary for Relations with States.

Pontiff

A title of the pope, from the Latin term for “chief priest.” The pope is the Supreme Pontiff (Pontifex maximus).

Pope

A title (from Greek pappas, “father”) used for the Bishop of Rome, who has jurisdiction over the Church throughout the world.

Primacy

Papal primacy refers to the pope’s authority over the whole Church.

Province

1) A territory comprising one archdiocese, called the metropolitan see, and one or more dioceses called suffragan sees. The head of an archdiocese, an archbishop, has metropolitan rights and responsibilities over the province.

2) A division of a religious order under the jurisdiction of a provincial superior.

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, as the Bishop of Rome.

Rosary

A prayer of meditation primarily on events in the lives of Mary and Jesus, repeating the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary.” It is generally said on a physical circlet of beads.

Sacramentary

The book used by the celebrant, containing all the prayers for the liturgy of the Mass.

Second Vatican Council

A major meeting of the bishops of the world convened by Pope John XXIII to bring about a

renewal of the Church. It was in session from 1962 to 1965 and produced important documents in liturgy, ecumenism, communications and other areas.

See

Another name for diocese, eparchy, or archdiocese. From the Latin sedes, “seat,” referring to the seat or chair of the bishop.

Seminary

An educational institution for men preparing for holy orders.

Synod

A gathering for deliberation on particular matters.

Urbi et Orbi

A Latin phrase meaning “To the City and to the World.” It is used to describe certain solemn papal blessings, and by extension the messages that accompany them. A pope gives his blessing urbi et orbi at Christmas and Easter and at his first public appearance after he is elected pope.

Vatican Congregation

A Vatican body which is responsible for an important area in the life of the Church, such as worship and sacraments, the clergy, and saints’ causes.

Zucchetto

Skull cap worn by the pope (white); bishops (purple); and cardinals (red).

From: John Paul II: A Light for the World, edited by Sister Mary Ann Walsh, RSM. © 2003 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Published by Sheed & Ward. All rights reserved. For more information on this publication, go to www.popebook.com