Liturgy
Liturgia · 504 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Abacus (ABACO)
ABACUS. - 1. IN THE LITURGY. - From the Greek ἄβαξ = tablet, it is the small table which, according to the Caeremoniale Episcoporum, must… -
Ablution (Latin ab-luo, Greek ἀπο-λοίω 'wash away') (ABLUZIONE (LAT. AB-LUO, GR. ἈΠΟ-ΛΟΊΩ « PORTO VIA LAVANDO »))
ABLUTION (Latin ab-luo, Greek ἀπο-λοίω 'wash away'). - A. is a rite directed at putting an individual or a group in a state of ritual… -
Acclamation (Latin ad-clamatio, Greek ἀπιφώνησις) (ACCLAMAZIONE (LAT. AD-CLAMATIO, GR. ἈΠΙΦΏΝΗΣΙΣ))
ACCLAMATION (Lat. ad-clamatio, Gk. ἀπιφώνησις). - It is the clamor that rises from a moved multitude (shouting and singing are proper to a… -
Acolouthia (Ἀκολουθία) (ACOLUTIA (ἈΚΟΛΟΥΘΊΑ))
ACOLOUTHIA (Ἀκολουθία). - Ordering, arrangement of prayers and ceremonies. Corresponding to the Latin ordo, ritus. In this way we find in… -
Adeste Fideles (ADESTE, FIDELES)
«ADESTE, FIDELES». — A delightful rhymed hymn, in which the visit of the shepherds to the newborn Savior is narrated and the faithful are… -
Ad Libitum
AD LIBITUM. - It is an expression that has various uses in the liturgy. With regard to the "Rubrics" it refers to the free use of certain… -
Ad Multos Annos
AD MULTOS ANNOS. - A greeting and wish for long life that a consecrated bishop addresses to his consecrator at the end of the consecration… -
Adoration (ADORAZIONE)
ADORATION. - Etymologically a. (from Lat. ad os) is the gesture of bringing the hands to the lips and then turning them toward a simulacrum… -
Adoro Te Devote
« ADORO TE DEVOTE ». - A rhythm attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas, proposed by the Roman Missal as a prayer after Mass. The A. consists of… -
Ad Regias Agni Dapes
«AD REGIAS AGNI DAPES». - Hymn for Vespers of Paschal time, by an unknown author, but which is already found in manuscripts of the 6th… -
Advent (AVVENTO)
ADVENT. - It is the period that begins the liturgical year and prepares for Christmas (v.), as Lent (v.) does for Easter. In the Roman rite… -
Aeterna Christi Munera
"AETERNA CHRISTI MUNERA". - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for Matins of the common of apostles. Composed by St. Ambrose in eight stanzas, it… -
Aeterna Coeli Gloria
«AETERNA COELI GLORIA». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for the ferial Lauds of Friday. Composed by an ancient imitator of St. Augustine, the… -
Aeterna Imago Altissimi
«AETERNA IMAGO ALTISSIMI». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary at Matins for the feast of Christ the King. Its author is Fr. Vittorio Genovesi,… -
Aeterne Rector Siderum
"AETERNE RECTOR SIDERUM". - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for Lauds of the feast of the Guardian Angels (Oct. 2). Its author is St. Robert… -
Aeterne Rex Altissime
«AETERNE REX ALTISSIME». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for Matins of the feast of the Ascension. By an unknown but ancient author, though… -
Agenda
AGENDA. - A Latin word meaning "that which must be done." Originally it was used in liturgy to indicate the Canon of the Mass and also the… -
Agnus Dei
AGNUS DEI. - Liturgical formula introduced into the Mass by Pope Sergius I, following an ancient Greek usage, with direct allusion to the… -
Agnus Dei, Blessing of the (AGNUS DEI, BENEDIZIONE DEGLI)
AGNUS DEI, Blessing of the. - The Agnus Dei currently in use are medallions of white wax, oval in shape, of varying size, blessed by the… -
Akathist (ACATISTO)
AKATHIST. - A hymn of the Greek liturgy that celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation. The first meaning, from ἀκάθιστος (ἀκαθίζομαι),… -
Ales Diei Nuntius
"ALES DIEI NUNTIUS." - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for the ferial lauds of Tuesday. It consists of stanzas 1, 2, 21, 25 of a long hymn by… -
Alleluia
ALLELUIA. - A Hebrew religious acclamation ("Praise the Lord"), which passed into the Christian liturgy. 1. IN THE BIBLE. - The expression… -
All Saints (Feast of All Saints) (OGNISSANTI (FESTUM OMNIUM SANCTORUM))
ALL SAINTS (Feast of All Saints). - The feast of All Saints (Nov. 1) is not only intended to honor the saints properly so called, but in… -
Alma Redemptoris Mater
«ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER». - It is the first of the four great Marian antiphons, and it is recited at the end of Lauds and Compline, from… -
Almuzia
ALMUZIA. - A form of hood joined to a short mantle, whose rear part was longer than the front, which in the Middle Ages constituted the… -
Altus Ex Olympi Vertice (ALTO EX OLYMPI VERTICE)
«ALTO EX OLYMPI VERTICE». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for Lauds on the feast of the dedication of a church. By an unknown author, of the… -
Ambrosian, Liturgy (AMBROSIANA, LITURGIA)
AMBROSIAN, LITURGY. - 1. ST. AMBROSE AND THE LITURGY. - "The distinctive character of the Ambrosian rite is precisely that of being the… -
Amen
AMEN. - Biblical and liturgical acclamation. 1. BIBLICAL USE. - Derived from the root 'āman' "to be firm, to sustain," the word Amen (Heb.… -
Amitto
AMITTO. - A sacred garment of cloth (approx. 0.70 x 0.80 m.), to be placed around the neck and over the shoulders, provided with ribbons to… -
Ampulla (AMPOLLA)
AMPULLA. - A small vessel with a narrow neck and a body of varying shape, intended to hold the wine and water for Holy Mass, the holy oils,… -
Anadocus (Ὁ Ἀνάδοχος = «Guarantor») (ANÀDOCO (Ὁ ἈΝΆΔΟΧΟΣ = «GARANTE»))
ANADOCUS (Ὁ Ἀνάδοχος = «Guarantor»). - In the Byzantine liturgy it is the equivalent of godparent. His presence is required at Baptism,… -
Anamnesis (Ὀνόμησις) (ANAMNÈSI (ὈΝΌΜΝΗΣΙΣ))
ANAMNESIS (Ὀνόμησις). - Remembrance, commemoration, it is that part of the Canon of the Mass which immediately follows the Consecration and… -
Anaphora (Ἀναφορά: Presentation, Offering) (ANÀFORA (ἈΝΑΦΟΡΆ: PRESENTAZIONE, OFFERTA))
ANAPHORA (Ἀναφορά: Presentation, Offering). - It originally designated the bread to be offered in the Mass, and later became a generic name… -
Anastasius The Quaestor Or The Stammerer (ANASTASIO IL QUESTORE O IL BALBO)
ANASTASIUS THE QUAESTOR OR THE STAMMERER. - Original hymnographer and melodist of the 10th century. Of him it is known only that in 907 he… -
Andrew of Crete, Saint (ANDREA DI CRETA, SANTO)
ANDREW OF CRETE, Saint. - Byzantine orator and hymnographer, b. at Damascus around 660, d. at Porto di Erisso, on the island of Mytilene,… -
Angelus Domini
« ANGELUS DOMINI ». - This phrase is customarily used to designate the pious devotion by which, at the sound of the bell in the morning, at… -
Anima Christi, Sanctify Me (ANIMA CHRISTI, SANCTIFICA ME)
« ANIMA CHRISTI, SANCTIFICA ME ». — A Eucharistic prayer, in the Roman Missal appended to the florilegium of prayers for thanksgiving after… -
Annunciation of the Lord (FESTE, ANNUNZIO DELLE)
ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD. - On the day of the Epiphany, after the Gospel, the deacon announces the movable feasts of the new year. The… -
Antimension
ANTIMENSION. - It is the portable altar of the Greeks. The Latin Church in time adopted only portable altars of stone, while the Greek… -
Antiphonary (ANTIFONARIO)
ANTIPHONARY. - The name derives etymologically from antiphon (v.); today, however, when one speaks of an a., what is meant is the… -
Antologion (Τὸ Ἀνθολόγιον) (ANTOLOGIO (ΤῸ ἈΝΘΑΛΌΓΙΟΝ))
ANTOLOGION (Τὸ Ἀνθολόγιον). - Among the Greeks it is a collection of the principal offices of the sanctoral and temporal cycles scattered… -
Antra Deserti Teneris Ab Annis
« ANTRA DESERTI TENERIS AB ANNIS ». - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for Matins of the feast of St. John the Baptist. It is by Paul the Deacon… -
Aperi Domine
«APERI DOMINE». - Prayer with which the divine office begins. According to the admonition of Ecclus. (18:23), the soul must prepare itself… -
Apertio Aurium (APERITIO AURIUM)
APERTIO AURIUM. - In the Western liturgies the priest, before Baptism, following the example of Our Lord (Mk. 7:34), moistens the ears and… -
Apodeipnon (Ἀπόδειπνον) (APODIPNON (ἈΠΌΔΕΙΠΝΟΝ))
APODEIPNON (Ἀπόδειπνον). - In the churches of the Byzantine rite it is a divine office intended to implore blessing during sleep, which… -
Apodosis (Ἀπόδοσις) (APODOSI (ἈΠΌΔΟΣΙΣ))
APODOSIS (Ἀπόδοσις). - It is the deposition, or conclusion of a feast that has been prolonged over several days. In the Byzantine rite, in… -
Apolitikion (Ἀπολυτίκιον)
APOLITIKION (Ἀπολυτίκιον). - It is a troparion, that is, a brief hymnographic stanza, which in the Greek liturgy is mostly sung at the end… -
Apologia in the Mass (APOLOGIA NELLA MESSA)
APOLOGIA IN THE MASS. - Under this name, in the ancient liturgy, certain prayers were designated that the priest recited to implore… -
Apolysis (Ἀπόλοισις) (APOLISI (ἈΠΌΛΟΙΣ))
APOLYSIS (Ἀπόλοισις). - In the Byzantine rite it indicates the dismissal of the faithful at the end of the sacred liturgy and of the other… -
Apomirism (τὸ Ἀπομίρισμα) (APOMIRISMO (ΤῸ ἈΠΟΜΎΡΙΣΜΑ))
APOMIRISM (τὸ Ἀπομίρισμα). - It was the act of anointing the body or some diseased part with ointment that came from the relics or the tomb… -
Apostolos (Ὁ Ἀπόστολος)
APOSTOLOS (Ὁ Ἀπόστολος). - In the Byzantine liturgy it is the book that contains the Epistles and the Acts of the Apostles, or parts of… -
Arcano, Discipline of the (ARCANO, DISCIPLINA DELL')
ARCANO, Discipline of the. - With the expression disciplina arcani, used for the first time by the Protestant theologian Jean Daillé… -
Archieraticon (Ἀρχιερατινόν)
ARCHIERATICON (Ἀρχιερατινόν). - In the Churches of the Byzantine rite it is the liturgical book that contains the religious functions… -
Artophorion (Ἀρτοφόριον) (ARTOFORIO (ἈΡΤΟΦΌΡΙΟΝ))
ARTOPHORION (Ἀρτοφόριον). - In the Eastern Church it denotes the receptacle of the Most Holy Eucharist, which is for the most part kept in… -
Arundine (from Lat. arundo «reed») (ARUNDINE (DAL LAT. ARUNDO «CANNA»))
ARUNDINE (from Lat. arundo «reed»). - A staff adorned with and surmounted by three candles arranged in a triangle, used in the function of… -
Ascension (ASCENSIONE)
ASCENSION. - After appearing repeatedly over forty days, the risen Jesus appeared one last time to the apostles > (photo Alinari) ASCENSION… -
Ash Wednesday (CENERI, MERCOLEDÌ DELLE)
ASH WEDNESDAY. - In the last years of St. Gregory the Great, the Lenten fast began with the Wednesday preceding the First Sunday of Lent,… -
A Solis Ortus Cardine
"A SOLIS ORTUS CARDINE". - Hymn of the Roman Breviary for Lauds of the feast of Christmas. Its author is Sedulius, a Latin poet of the 5th… -
Asperges Me
« ASPERGES ME ». - Formula with which the ritual sprinklings of holy water are performed (v. ASPERSIONE). It is not easy to decide whether… -
Aspergillum (ASPERSORIO)
ASPERGILLUM. - È uno strumento di argento, oro od altro metallo, che serve a spruzzare di acqua benedetta le persone e gli oggetti. Oltre… -
Aspersion (ASPERSIONE)
ASPERSION. - It is the act of sprinkling holy water on persons or things, usually using a metal instrument or branches of certain plants… -
Asterisk (ASTERISCO)
ASTERISK. - Così è denominata una piccola stelletta usata nei libri liturgici per segnare, con pausa, la metà di ogni versetto nei salmi,… -
Aster or Asterisk (Ὁ Ἀστήρ. Ὁ Ἀστερίσκος) (ASTER O ASTERISCO (Ὁ ἈΣΤΉΡ. Ὁ ἈΣΤΕΡΊΣΚΟΣ))
ASTER OR ASTERISK (Ὁ Ἀστήρ. Ὁ Ἀστερίσκος). - It is an instrument made of two metal plates, bent into a semicircle, crossed and sometimes… -
Athleta Christi Nobilis
"ATHLETA CHRISTI NOBILIS". - Hymn of Matins for the feast of St. Venantius martyr, by an unknown author. It was inserted into the breviary… -
Auctor Beate Saeculi
« AUCTOR BEATE SAECULI ». - This is the hymn of Matins for the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, composed in 1763 on the occasion of the… -
Audi Benigne Conditor
« AUDI BENIGNE CONDITOR ». - Hymn of Vespers for the season of Lent, in which the verse unfolds in a tone of humble prayer, asking that the… -
Audit Tyrannus Anxius
"AUDIT TYRANNUS ANXIUS". - Hymn of Matins for the feast of the Holy Innocents. It is part of Prudentius's Hymnus Epiphaniae and consists… -
Aurora Caelum Purpurat
"AURORA CAELUM PURPURAT." - Hymn of the Breviary for Lauds in Paschal time, contained in manuscripts of the 9th century. From the stanzas,… -
Aurora Iam Spargit Polum
"AURORA IAM SPARGIT POLUM." - Hymn for Lauds of Saturday, contained in manuscripts of the 9th century. As the light of the rising day puts… -
Aurora Soli Praevia
"AURORA SOLI PRAEVIA". - Hymn of Lauds for the feast of the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes, composed in 1890, the year of the approval… -
Ave Maris Stella
« AVE MARIS STELLA ». — Hymn to the Virgin, which is recited at Vespers on almost all of her feasts. Its structure, left intact in the… -
Ave Regina Caelorum
« AVE REGINA CAELORUM ». - It is the second of the four great Marian Antiphons, and, after its official adoption, it is recited from 3… -
Ave Verum Corpus Natum
« AVE VERUM CORPUS NATUM ». — One of the best-known medieval eucharistic salutationes. It appears in manuscripts from the 14th century… -
Bacile
BASIN. - I. IN THE LITURGY. - A large dish, mostly of metal, used for the various ablutions customary in the liturgy. Especially in the… -
Baldeschi, Giuseppe
BALDESCHI, GIUSEPPE. - Liturgist, of the Congregation of the Mission, b. at Ischia di Castro (Viterbo) on 1 July 1791, d. at Rome on 19… -
Ball (PALLA)
BALL. - In the current liturgical sense it is a small square of linen, about 20-25 cm, used to cover the chalice, especially from the… -
Balsamo
BALSAM. - An ointment much used by the pagans and therefore rejected by Christians. Nevertheless, from the 4th century there is evidence of… -
Banner, Liturgical Use Of The (BANDIERA, USO LITURGICO DELLA)
BANNER, Liturgical Use Of The. - From the 10th century banners are admitted as an ornament in sacred processions, where they precede the… -
Baptismal Font (FONTE BATTESIMALE)
BAPTISMAL FONT. - In Christian antiquity, when the Sacrament of Baptism was administered by immersion, the baptismal font, generally… -
Bäumer, Suitbert
BÄUMER, SUITBERT. - Benedictine monk of the abbey of Beuron and learned liturgist, b. at Leuchtenberg (Rhineland) on 28 March 1845, d. at… -
Baumstark, Anton Joseph Maria
BAUMSTARK, ANTON JOSEPH MARIA. - Eminent German Orientalist, b. at Constance on 4 Aug. 1872 to Reinhold, a Catholic writer, and Clementina… -
Beata Nobis Gaudia
«BEATA NOBIS GAUDIA». - Hymn of Lauds for the feast of Pentecost, commonly used in the liturgy since the 10th century. The descent of the… -
Beate Pastor Petre Clemens Accipe
"BEATE PASTOR PETRE CLEMENS ACCIPE." - A hymn of Lauds for the feasts of St. Peter, composed of a single strophe, besides the doxology,… -
Beatification (BEATIFICAZIONE)
BEATIFICATION. - Beatification is an act by which the Supreme Pontiff permits that a servant of God in some region, city, diocese, or… -
Bella Dum Late Furerent Et Urbes
« BELLA DUM LATE FURERENT ET URBES ». - Hymn of Vespers for the feast of the seven holy founders of the Order of the Servants of Mary,… -
Benedicamus Domino
BENEDICAMUS DOMINO. - Formula adopted at the end of Mass in place of the Ite missa est on Sundays and ferias of Lent and Advent, on vigils… -
Benedictional (BENEDIZIONALE)
BENEDICTIONAL. - A book that contained the formulas to be used for the various blessings. A first collection of these is found in the East… -
Berno Of Reichenau (Berno Augiensis) (BERNONE DI REICHENAU (BERNO AUGIENSIS))
BERNO OF REICHENAU (Berno Augiensis). - Called Bernard by some; a statesman, liturgist, musician, hagiographer, orator, and poet: he was… -
Bingham, Joseph
BINGHAM, JOSEPH. - Anglican theologian, b. in Sept. 1668 at Wakefield (Yorkshire), d. 17 Aug. 1723. Doctor at the University of Oxford,… -
Birthday (Dies Natalis) (NATALE (DIES NATALIS))
BIRTHDAY (Dies Natalis). - The Romans commemorated the deceased on the day of their birth; indeed one reads that « Privatae feriae vocantur… -
Bishop, Edmund
BISHOP, EDMUND. - English liturgist, b. at Totnes to an Anglican family on 17 May 1846, d. at Downside on 17 Feb. 1917. First secretary to… -
Blessing Of Fire (FUOCO, BENEDIZIONE DEL)
BLESSING OF FIRE. - The blessing of fire could have its origins in the early Christian era as a Hebrew custom of offering to God the… -
Blessing of Lambs (AGNELLI, BENEDIZIONE DEGLI)
BLESSING OF LAMBS. - On the feast of St. Agnes, the celebrant, as the conclusion of the pontifical Mass, blesses on the altar of the Saint… -
Blessing of the Lambs (BENEDIZIONE DEGLI AGNELLI)
BLESSING OF THE LAMBS: v. AGNELLI, benedizione degli. BIBL.: For the hagiographic texts, cf. BIIG, 45-46; BHL, 136-67; BHO, 34; D.… -
Blessing of the Mensa (MENSA, BENEDIZIONE DELLA)
BLESSING OF THE MENSA. - It is a prayer added to the Breviary that is used in religious houses before and after lunch and dinner. It begins… -
Blessing of Virgins (VERGINI, BENEDIZIONE DELLE)
BLESSING OF VIRGINS. - An ancient and solemn ceremony of the Latin-Roman rite, for blessing and consecrating religious women who live in… -
Book of Cerne (CERNE, LIBRO DI)
BOOK OF CERNE. - It is a collection of prayers for private use, which once belonged to the abbey of C., near Dorsetshire in England, and is… -
Book of Hours (LIBRO D'ORE)
BOOK OF HOURS. - From the ecclesiastical Latin "Horae" (the seven parts into which the divine office is divided) it is a devotional book… -
Borgia, Nilo
BORGIA, NILO. - Basilian monk, historian and liturgist, b. at Piana degli Albanesi (Palermo) on 1 March 1870, d. at Grottaferrata on 3… -
Bourse (BORSA)
BOURSE. - To keep the corporal with decency and reverence, when it was reduced to its present dimensions, the burse was introduced. In… -
Breaking of Bread (Ἐλᾶσις τοῦ δρῦσου) (FRACTIO PANIS (ἘΛΑ͂ΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ͂ ΔΡΥ͂ΣΟΥ))
BREAKING OF BREAD (Ἐλᾶσις τοῦ δρῦσου). - It is the act of breaking bread to indicate a meal in (de Hieronymi Fracastori... carmina,… -
Breviary (BREVIARIO)
BREVIARY. - It is the liturgical book that contains the divine office (v.) according to the rite of the Roman Church. The term b. (brief… -
Byzantine, Liturgy (BIZANTINA, LITURGIA)
BYZANTINE, LITURGY. - This is the name given to the liturgy to which Byzantium gave its imprint and its specific character. I. ORIGIN. -… -
Cabrol, Fernand
CABROL, FERNAND. - Benedictine monk, scholar and promoter of liturgical science, b. in Marseille on 11 Dec. 1855, d. at Farnborough on 4… -
Caelestis Agni Nuptiae (CAELESTIS AGNI NUP-TIAS)
«CAELESTIS AGNI NUPTIAS». - Hymn of Vespers of St. Juliana Falconieri (v.). It is in the form of a prayer and recalls certain episodes in… -
Caelestis Aulae Nuntius
«CAELESTIS AULAE NUNTIUS». - Hymn of Vespers for the feast of the Holy Rosary, instituted by Gregory XIII on 1 April 1573 in commemoration… -
Caelestis Urbs Jerusalem (CAELESTIS URBS IERUSALEM)
«CAELESTIS URBS IERUSALEM». - Hymn of Vespers for the feast of the Dedication of a Church, of lofty poetic and mystical inspiration. In the… -
Caeli Deus Sanctissime
«CAELI DEUS SANCTISSIME». — It is the hymn of Vespers for Wednesday, attributed to St. Ambrose, but not with very much foundation. The day… -
Caelo Redemptor Praetulit
«CAELO REDEMPTOR PRAETULIT». - Hymn of Matins for the feast of the Motherhood of the Madonna. It is found in a Portuguese breviary of 1700,… -
Cagin, Paul
CAGIN, PAUL. - Liturgist, b. at Béthune on 7 June 1847, d. at Solesmes on 8 Apr. 1923. Having entered the Benedictine Order in 1879 and… -
Calendar of the Universal Church (CALENDARIO DELLA CHIESA UNIVERSALE)
CALENDAR OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH. - One can speak of a calendar of the Universal Church only from the year 1568 onward, that is, from the… -
Callewaert, Camille
CALLEWAERT, CAMILLE. - Liturgist, b. at Zwevegem on 1 Jan. 1866, d. at Bruges on 6 Aug. 1943. After completing his studies in the… -
Calzari
CALZARI (FOOTWEAR). - Under the name c. it is commonly understood to mean everything that covers the foot and the leg, whether shoe or… -
Camauro
CAMAURO. - It is a kind of cap that covers the whole head and also the ears, which was used outside of sacred functions. In its current… -
Campanello
CAMPANELLO. - When in the 12th century the elevation of the sacred Species was introduced into the Mass, c. or handbells, already known… -
Candelabrum (CANDELIERE)
CANDELABRUM. - I. LITURGY. - The liturgical candlestick derives its origin from the usual furniture of Roman houses, and for this reason… -
Candleholder (Bugia, Cerarium) (PALMATORIA (BUGIA, CERARIUM))
CANDLEHOLDER (Bugia, Cerarium). - A low candlestick, carried in the palm of the hand (whence the name), or a small dish of metal or other… -
Candles (CANDELE)
CANDLES. - They are the most common and obligatory means of liturgical illumination in religious functions. According to current… -
Canon Of The Mass (CANONE DELLA MESSA)
CANON OF THE MASS. - The word c., having entered the ecclesiastical lexicon, from the 6th century onward is used to indicate the most… -
Cantatorium
CANTATORIUM. - In the Roman liturgy it was the book that contained the chant of the gradual. We have attestation of it in the Ordo romanus… -
Canticle (CANTICO)
CANTICLE. - I. GENERAL NOTIONS. - A canticle (in Greek 686) is generally said to be a poetic composition, intended for singing, for praise… -
Cantoria
CANTORIA. - It is generally the place in a church that is set aside for the singers, but in particular in present usage it is a gallery,… -
Cappa
CAPPA. - Originally it was a wide sleeveless cloak, often provided with a hood, and it covered the whole person; it was used from antiquity… -
Capuchin Hood (CAPPUCCIO)
CAPUCHIN HOOD. - It is the upper part of the garment with which the ancients covered their heads and which was called cucullus. It is used… -
Caput Ieiunii
CAPUT IEIUNII. - Since the 7th century Ash Wednesday has been known as feria IV in capite ieiunii, because, according to Roman usage, the… -
Carnipri(v)ium (Carnispricium, Privicarnum) (CARNIPRIVIUM (CARNISPRICIUM, PRIVICARNIUM))
CARNIPRI(v)ium (Carnispricium, Privicarnum). - This was the name given, in many places, to Quinquagesima Sunday, because on it, and more… -
Carteglo(r)ia (CARTEGLORIA)
CARTEGLO(R)IA. - To aid the celebrant's memory, from as early as the 16th century a tablet was customarily placed in the middle of the… -
Casel, Odo
CASEL, ODO. - Distinguished Benedictine liturgist and theologian, b. 27 Sept. 1886 at Koblenz-Lützel, d. at the abbey of the Holy Cross of… -
Cassock (CÀMICE)
CASSOCK. - A white linen garment (called for this reason alba in liturgical language), reaching down to the feet, worn by ecclesiastics in… -
Catafalque (CATAFALCO)
CATAFALQUE. - For funeral services a special structure is erected in churches, surrounded by candles, called tumulus; castrum doloris;… -
Catalani, Giuseppe
CATALANI, GIUSEPPE. - Celebrated liturgist, born at Paola (Cosenza) to Francesco and Anna Baroni on June 14, 1698. He completed his studies… -
Cathedra (CATTEDRA)
CATHEDRA. - From the Greek καθέδρα: a seat with a backrest or a back of greater or lesser height, often provided with a cushion. The c.… -
Cathedral (CATTEDRALE)
CATHEDRAL. - It is the principal church of the diocese, where the cathedra or throne of the bishop is located. Also called "Duomo" or house… -
Cavalieri, Giovanni Michele
CAVALIERI, GIOVANNI MICHELE. - Liturgist of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, b. at Ber- Bergamo toward the end of the 17th century,… -
Ceremonial Master (CEROFERARIO)
CEREMONIAL MASTER. - He who in solemn functions carries the lighted candle on the candlestick. In ancient times, as a sign of special… -
Ceremonial of Bishops (CERIMONIALE DEI VESCOVI)
CEREMONIAL OF THE BISHOPS. - It is the body of sacred rules and directives that govern the preparation and the attitudes, movements and… -
Ceremony (CERIMONIA)
CEREMONY. - In the liturgical sense, a c. is a gesture, an action, a movement, or a complex of these, instituted by the competent… -
Chair of Saint Peter, Feast of the (CATTEDRA DI SAN PIETRO, FESTA DELLA)
CHAIR OF SAINT PETER, Feast of the. - It is not a question of the chair or material see, but of the magisterium of St. Peter. Here "chair"… -
Chalice (CALICE)
CHALICE. - It is that one, among the sacred vessels, in which the eucharistic wine is consecrated during the Mass. I. ARCHAEOLOGY. - Just… -
Chant (CANTO)
CHANT. - I. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. - Chant in the Church originally had the purpose of making public prayer more solemn: it is therefore… -
Chapter (CAPITOLO)
CHAPTER. - From the Latin capitulum, a diminutive of caput, the term came to mean: 1) the various divisions of a book; 2) the passage of… -
Charlemagne, King of the Franks and the Lombards, Emperor (CARLOMAGNO, RE DEI FRANCHI E DEI LONGO-BARDI, IMPERATORE)
CHARLEMAGNE, King of the Franks and the Lombards, Emperor. - SUMMARY: I. Birth and early years. - II. Conquests in Italy. - III. Conquests… -
Chasuble (VELO OMERALE)
CHASUBLE. - A long strip of silk or linen that rests on the shoulders with its two ends hanging down over the chest and that serves to… -
Chasuble (Pluviale, Cappa, Mantus) (PIVIALE (PLUVIALE, CAPPA, MANTUS))
CHASUBLE (Pluviale, Cappa, Mantus). - A liturgical mantle of semicircular shape, long enough to reach almost to the feet, open at the front… -
Chorus (CORO)
CHORUS. - With the term χερός the Greeks originally designated the group of dancers who sang the dithyramb around the altar of Dionysus;… -
Chrism (CRISMA)
CHRISM. - From as early as the 5th century the Greeks were accustomed to mix aromatic substances with the holy oil, and the Latins, a… -
Christ, Blood Poured Out for (CHRISTO PROFUSUM SANGUINEM)
«CHRISTO PROFUSUM SANGUINEM». - Hymn of Matins in the common of martyrs, composed of four stanzas taken from the hymn of the Apostles by… -
Christe Sanctorum Decus Angelorum
« CHRISTE SANCTORUM DECUS ANGELORUM ». - Hymn of Lauds for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, taken from that of the feast of the… -
Christmas (NATALE)
CHRISTMAS. - Feast of the birth of the Lord, celebrated on December 25. I. THE NAME. - The typically Roman name is Natale or Natalis… -
Christ the King, Feast of (CRISTO RE, FESTA DI)
CHRIST THE KING, Feast of. - With the encyclical Quas primas of 11 December 1925, Pius XI, at the conclusion of the Holy Year, instituted… -
Church (CHIESA)
CHURCH. - "It is the community of all the faithful, united by the profession of the same faith, by participation in the same Sacraments,… -
Cingulum (CINGOLO)
CINGULUM. - From the profane use of a belt to keep the tunic fixed around the hips, the sacred vestment arose in the form of a cord, with… -
Clichtove, Josse
CLICHTOVE, JOSSE. - Humanist and theologian, b. at Newport in 1472 or 1473, d. at Chartres on 22 Sept. 1542. From the beginning of the 16th… -
Coelho, Antonio
COELHO, ANTONIO. - Liturgist, b. in Braga on 24 May 1892, d. in Singeverga on 20 Dec. 1938. A Benedictine monk, he spent some years of… -
Colivi
COLIVI. - In the Byzantine rite this word designates a kind of sweet, made mainly of cooked wheat or rice, with the addition of raisins,… -
Collectarium (COLLETTARIO)
COLLECTARIUM. - Sometimes called an orationary, it derives from the sacramentary (v.) inasmuch as in ancient times only this book contained… -
Colletta
COLLETTA. - It denotes: 1) the place of assembly which in the ancient Roman Orders is regularly indicated on the individual days of Lent… -
Colymbion (Κολύμβιον)
COLYMBION (Κολύμβιον). - It is a basin or vessel in which holy water was blessed and kept (holy water stoup), first in the atrium, then at… -
Commemoration (COMMEMORAZIONE)
COMMEMORATION. - Quando di uno o più santi o di una feria, vigilia od ottava non si può recitare l'ufficio e la Messa per l'occorrenza di… -
Communio
COMMUNIO. - It is the antiphon that in the solemn Mass is sung by the choir after the Communion of the celebrant; in all Masses it is… -
Communion of Saints (COMMUNE SANCTORUM)
COMMUNION OF SAINTS. - It is the third of the great parts into which the Roman Missal and Breviary are divided, and it comprises a… -
Competentes
COMPETENTES. - These were those catechumens who, after the period of probation, gave their names in order to receive Baptism on Holy… -
Compline (COMPIETA)
COMPLINE. - The last hour of the Divine Office. I. NAME. - It derives from the Latin completa, completorium (also used as an adjective in… -
Concelebration (CONCELEBRAZIONE)
CONCELEBRATION. - In a broad sense it is the assistance and active participation of ministers and faithful in sacred functions; in a… -
Confiteor
« CONFITEOR ». - Formula of the general confession of sins in the Latin liturgy, whose origin goes back to the custom of priests of… -
Consecration (CONSACRAZIONE)
CONSECRATION. - It is the stable and legally valid passage of a person or thing from the profane order (ius humanum) to the sacred order… -
Consors Paternus Luminis (CONSORS PATERNI LUMINIS)
« CONSORS PATERNI LUMINIS ». - Hymn of Matins for Tuesday, composed by St. Ambrose. It is a prayer that rises to Christ the bearer of… -
Consuetudines
CONSUETUDINES. - These are particular ordinances designed to regulate the uniformity of the sacred functions, made necessary, especially in… -
Cor Arca Legem Continens
"COR ARCA LEGEM CONTINENS." - Hymn of Lauds for the feast of the Sacred Heart. The heart is the seat of love; Jesus shows us in his heart,… -
Corporal (CORPORALE)
CORPORAL. - It is a square of linen on which the Eucharistic Species and the sacred vessels are placed. Its name derives from the office of… -
Corpus Domas Jejunii (CORPUS DOMAS JEJUNIIS)
« CORPUS DOMAS JEJUNIIS ». - Hymn of Matins for the office of St. John Cantius, by an unknown author, composed for his canonization, which… -
Cotta
COTTA. - White tunic used by priests in rites not joined to the Mass, and by clerics. Christian liturgy always willed ecclesiastics to be… -
Creator Alme siderum
« CREATOR ALME SIDERUM ». - Hymn of Vespers for the season of Advent, attributed, with little foundation, to St. Ambrose; its author was,… -
Creator of Human Salvation (SALUTIS HUMANAE SATOR)
« SALUTIS HUMANAE SATOR ». — Hymn of Vespers and Lauds in the Office of the Ascension. Originally « Jesu, nostra redemptio », by an unknown… -
Crepitacolo
CREPITACOLO. - From the Latin crepitaculum, crepitaculum: a wooden toy that makes a noise when shaken. It is also called battola, tabella… -
Cross-Bearer (CROCIFERO)
CROSS-BEARER. - According to an ancient Christian custom the cross, as the banner of Christ, precedes all the sacred processions of the… -
Crudelis Herodes Deum
« CRUDELIS HERODES DEUM ». — Hymn of Vespers on the feast of the Epiphany, composed of stanzas 8, 9, 11 and 13 of the celebrated hymn by… -
Cult (Latin Cultus, from colere = to cultivate, honor) (CULTO (LAT. CULTUS, DA COLERE = COLTIVARE, ONORARE))
CULT (lat. Cultus, from colere = to cultivate, to honor). SUMMARY: I. General notions. - II. The various kinds of c. - III. Origin and… -
Cursus
CURSUS. - The ancient orators, in delivering their speeches, were accustomed to modulate the ends of sentences in order to make their… -
Custodes Hominum Psallimus Angelos
« CUSTODES HOMINUM PSALLIMUS ANGELOS ». - Hymn of Vespers for the feast of the Guardian Angels (Oct. 2). There are three Sapphic stanzas… -
Dalmatic (DALMATICA)
DALMATIC. - A liturgical vestment proper to the deacon. It was a white, ankle-length garment, reserved for the higher classes (emperors,… -
Decor Lux Aeternitatis, Auream (DECORA LUX AETERNITATIS, AUREAM)
« DECORA LUX AETERNITATIS, AUREAM ». - It is the hymn of Vespers for the feast of the Sts. apostles Peter and Paul, composed of the first… -
Decreta Authentica Sacrae Rituum Congregationis
DECRETA AUTHENTICA SACRAE RITUUM CONGREGATIONIS. - Under this name comes the collection of the decrees and other decisions of the Sacred… -
Dedication, Rite of (DEDICAZIONE, RITO DELLA)
DEDICATION, Rite of. - It is the consecration of a church to withdraw it from profane use and to make it a sacred place. The first… -
Deo Gratias
DEO GRATIAS. - A formula of greeting and thanksgiving already used by St. Paul (I Cor., 15, 52; II Cor., 2, 14). St. Augustine speaks of it… -
De Puniét de Parry, Pierre (DE PUNIET DE PARRY, PIERRE)
DE PUNIÉT DE PARRY, PIERRE. - Liturgist and Benedictine monk, b. at Rochefort-sur-Mer on 24 March 1877, d. at Oosterhout (Holland) on 4… -
Desecration (DISSACRAZIONE)
DESECRATION. - It is the act by which the quality of sacredness, obtained through consecration or ordination, is taken away from an object,… -
Deus in Adiutorium
« DEUS IN ADIUTORIUM ». - Second verse of Ps. 69, much valued by the ancient Christians. John Cassian (Collationes, 10, 10: PL 49, 842)… -
Deus Tuorum Militum
"DEUS TUORUM MILITUM." - Hymn of Vespers of the common of one martyr, written toward the end of the 6th century. The Christian martyr, a… -
Dies Irae
«DIES IRAE». - Sequence for the Mass of the Dead, consisting of seventeen ternary stanzas of paroxytone monorhymed octosyllables, plus six… -
Dionigi Bar Ṣalībī (DIONIGI BAR ŞALİBİ)
DIONIGI BAR ṢALĪBĪ. - Syriac Monophysite writer, d. 2 November 1171. Ordained deacon at Melitene in 1154, he was made bishop of Mar'ash and… -
Discus (Dískos, Diacárion) (DISCOS (ΔΊΣΚΟΣ, ΔΙΑΚΆΡΙΟΝ))
DISCUS (Dískos, Diacárion). - In the Eastern rites this name is given to a small metal plate (of gold, silver, or gilded brass), deeper… -
Diurnal (Diurnale) (DIURNO (DIURNALE))
DIURNAL (DIURNALE) - It is the liturgical book that contains only the daytime hours of the divine Office, that is, Lauds, Prime, Terce,… -
Divine Maternity of Mary, Blessed (MATERNITÀ DIVINA DI MARIA S.MA)
DIVINE MATERNITY OF MARY, BLESSED. - It is the principal privilege of Mary, and the root of all the others. The nature and the foundations… -
Divine Office (Officium Ecclesiasticum; Hours; Canonical Hours; Liturgy of the Hours; Opus Dei; Opus Divinum; Divine Office) (UFFICIO DIVINO (OFFICIUM ECCLESIASTICUM; HORAE; HORAE CANONICAE; PRECEI HORARIAE; OPUS DEI; OPUS DIVINUM, CURSUS))
DIVINE OFFICE (Officium ecclesiasticum; horae; horae canonicae; preces horariae; opus Dei; opus divinum, cursus). - By these terms is… -
Doxology (DOSSOLOGIA)
DOXOLOGY. - A Greek word, from δόξα = glory and λόγος = discourse, which denotes a liturgical formula for glorifying either God (as often… -
Dreves, Guido Maria
DREVES, GUIDO MARIA. - Jesuit, poet and scholar of medieval hymnology, b. in Hamburg on 27 Oct. 1854, d. at Mitwitz (Bavaria) on 1 June… -
Dum, Nocte Pulsa, Lucifer
«DUM, NOCTE PULSA, LUCIFER». - Hymn of Lauds in the Office of St. Venantius martyr, written by Cardinal Bona and inserted into the breviary… -
Duranti, Jean-Étienne (DURANTI, JEAN-ETIENNE)
DURANTI, JEAN-ETIENNE - Liturgist, president of the Parliament of Toulouse, killed in an uprising of the Huguenots on 11 February 1589. In… -
Easter (PASQUA)
EASTER. - The major feast of the Israelites and of Christians. It was instituted by Moses to commemorate the exodus of Israel from Egyptian…