Liturgy
Liturgia · 504 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Psalmody (SALMODIA)
PSALMODY. - I. DEFINITION. - The singing of the psalms and canticles of the Church is called p. Liturgical tradition indicates three ways… -
Purification (Candlemas), Feast Of The (PURIFICAZIONE (CANDELORA), FESTA DELLA)
PURIFICATION (Candlemas), Feast Of The. - A Marian solemnity, celebrated on 2 February as a double of the second class, to which is added… -
Purificatorio (Abstensorium, Exstorsorium)
PURIFICATORIO (Abstensorium, Exstorsorium). - A small rectangle of linen (25/30 cm. x 40/50 cm.) used at Mass to dry the fingers, the lips… -
Pyxides (PISSIDE)
PYXIDES. - A liturgical vessel for the reservation of the Eucharist for Communion, from πυξις, πύξος, Latin pyxis, a box, a small round or… -
Qedhūšāh
QEDHŪŠĀH. - Trisagion, a liturgical composition that is inserted into the morning prayer, at the moment of the repetition of the Šēmōneh… -
Quarantore
QUARANTORE (Forty Hours). - To honor Jesus Christ during the 40 hours in which he lay dead in the tomb, at a time not precisely determined,… -
Quem Terra, Pontus, Sidera
"QUEM TERRA, PONTUS, SIDERA." - Hymn of Matins in the common of the feasts of the Madonna. It consists of four stanzas taken from the hymn… -
Quicumque Christum Quaeritis
"QUICUMQUE CHRISTUM QUAERITIS." - Hymn of Vespers and Matins on the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. It consists of four stanzas (1,… -
Quiñones, Francisco de
QUIÑONES, FRANCISCO de. - Cardinal, b. in 1475 at León, d. on 27 Oct. 1540 at Veroli. He studied at the University of Salamanca. At the age… -
Quinquagesima
QUINQUAGESIMA. - From the Latin, it is the 50th day after or before Easter; Greek πεντηκοστή. 1) Strictly it is the day of Pentecost (v.),… -
Quodcumque In Orbe Nexibus Revinxeris (QUODCUMQUE INORBE NEXIBUS REVINXERIS)
"WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH BY BONDS." - Hymn of Vespers and Matins for the feast of the Chair of St. Peter. It is a reworking of stanzas 5… -
Rector Potens Verax Deus
« RECTOR POTENS VERAX DEUS ». - Hymn of the hour of sext, composed by St. Ambrose. The hour of sext corresponds to our noon. The heat of… -
Regalis Solio Fortis Hiberiae (REGALI SOLIO FORTIS HIBERIAE)
«REGALI SOLIO FORTIS HIBERIAE». - Hymn of Vespers and Matins for the feast of St. Hermenegild, martyr, written by Urban VIII when in 1636… -
Regina Caeli
« REGINA CAELI ». - Major antiphon with which the Church greets and prays to the Most Holy Virgin, associating her with the triumph of the… -
Relics (RELIQUIE)
RELICS. - In Greek λαίφανα. Etymologically it is what remains, and it is understood as the human body or a part of it; in a broader sense,… -
Rerum Creator Optime
« RERUM CREATOR OPTIME ». — Hymn of Matins for Wednesday. By an unknown author (cf. G. M. Dreves - C. Blume, Anal. hymnica, LI, Leipzig… -
Rerum Deus Tenax Vigor
« RERUM DEUS TENAX VIGOR ». - Hymn of the hour of None, corresponding to three in the afternoon, attributed without full certainty to St.… -
Rex Gloriosae Martyrum (REX GLORIOSE MARTYRUM)
REX GLORIOSAE MARTYRUM. - Hymn of Lauds in the Common of several martyrs outside Paschal time; by an unknown author, belonging to the… -
Rex Sempiterne Caelitum
REX SEMPITERNE CAELITUM. - Hymn of Matins in Paschal time, by an unknown author of the 5th century, in evident imitation of Ambrose. The… -
Ring (ANELLO)
RING. - It cannot be determined with certainty when the ring assumed in the Church the meaning of authority, dignity and pre-eminence that… -
Rite (RITO)
RITE. - I. IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS. - In a general line applicable to all religions, by r. (etymology uncertain) is meant the norm that… -
Rochet (Camisia, Alba Romana, Succa, Saroth, Sarcotium, Sarcos, Rocchettum, Diminutive of Late Latin Roccus "Garment") (ROCCHETTO (CAMISIA, ALBA ROMANA, SUCCA, SAROTH, SARCOTIUM, SARCOS, ROCCHETTUM, DIMINUTIVO DEL BASSO LATINO ROCCUS «ABITO»))
ROCHET (Camisia, Alba Romana, Succa, Saroth, Sarcotium, Sarcos, Rocchettum, Diminutive of Late Latin Roccus "Garment"). - It is a vestment… -
Rodotà, Pietro Pompilio
RODOTÀ, PIETRO POMPILIO. - Of an Italo-Albanian family, born in 1707 in S. Benedetto Ullano (Cosenza, now in the eparchy of Lungro), died… -
Rogations (Litaniae Majores and Minores) (ROGAZIONI (LITANIAE MAIORES ET MINORES))
ROGATIONS (Litaniae Majores and Minores). - Processions ordered by the Church to implore heavenly aid; those that occur every year are… -
Roman Orders (ORDINES ROMANI)
ROMAN ORDERS. - I. NOTION. - The O. R. are "libelli" produced in the 8th-14th centuries, containing the description and the rules for the… -
Roman Ritual (RITUALE ROMANO)
ROMAN RITUAL. - Liturgical book of the Latin Church for priests, containing the ceremonies for the administration of the Sacraments, for… -
Rubrics (RUBRICHE)
RUBRICS. - I. NOTION. - By "rubrics," in the liturgical sense, are meant the prescriptions that regulate the conduct of the Church's… -
Sacra Iam Splendent Decorata Lychnis
"SACRA IAM SPLENDENT DECORATA LYCHNIS." - Hymn of Matins for the feast of the Holy Family, written by Leo XIII. After a brief introduction,… -
Sacramentals (SACRAMENTALI)
SACRAMENTALS. - They are things or actions which the Church, in some way imitating the Sacraments, uses in order to obtain, by virtue of… -
Sacramentary (SACRAMENTARIO)
SACRAMENTARY. - Name that in the early Middle Ages designated the book containing the formulas used by the bishop or the priest in the… -
Sacrarium (Piscina, Lavatorium) (SACRARIO (PISCINA, LAVAERUM))
SACRARIUM (Piscina, Lavatorium). - A small underground cistern covered by a movable stone, placed in a corner of a sacred place or of the… -
Sacred Furnishings (ARREDI SACRI)
SACRED FURNISHINGS. - 1. LITURGY. - These are the objects used for worship, especially those that relate most closely to the Most Holy… -
Sacred Stone (Petra Sacra, Tabula Sacra; Gestatorium, Itinerarius, Viaticum) (PIETRA SACRA (PETRA SACRA, TABULA SACRA; GESTATORIUM, ITINERARIUS, VIATICUM))
SACRED STONE (Petra Sacra, Tabula Sacra; Gestatorium, Itinerarius, Viaticum). - A square or rectangular slab (25 x 30 cm.) consecrated by… -
Sacred Vestments (VESTI SACRE)
SACRED VESTMENTS. - These are the garments worn by sacred ministers in liturgical functions. To render worship more august and for greater… -
Sacris Solemniis Iuncta Sint Gaudia
«SACRIS SOLEMNIIS IUNCTA SINT GAUDIA». - Hymn of Matins for the feast of Corpus Christi, composed by St. Thomas Aquinas. It is a rhythmic… -
Sacristy (Secretarium, Sacrarium, Salutatorium) (SACRISTIA (SECRETARIUM, SACRARIUM, SALUTATORIUM))
SACRISTY (Secretarium, Sacrarium, Salutatorium). - A room attached to the church, where the sacred ministers prepare and vest for the… -
Salt (In the Liturgy) (SALE (NELLA LITURGIA))
SALT (IN THE LITURGY). - Salt was used in sacrifices among the Hebrews (Lev. 2:13), the Romans and the Greeks. The Romans attributed to… -
Sanctification Of The Senses (SANTIFICAZIONE DEI SENSI)
SANCTIFICATION OF THE SENSES. - An ancient Eucharistic rite, consisting in bringing the Eucharistic species close to the forehead and the… -
Sanctoral (SANTORALE)
SANCTORAL. - It is that part of the Missal (v.) and of the Breviary (v.), also called Proprium de sanctis, which contains the proper… -
Sanctorum Meritis Inclita Gaudia
"Sanctorum Meritis Inclita Gaudia." — Hymn of Vespers in the Common of several martyrs, written by Rabanus Maurus (cf. C. M. Dreves,… -
Secreta (Understood Prayer; Super Oblata; Sacred) (SECRETA (SOTTINTESO ORATIO; SUPER OBLATA; SACRA))
SECRETA (Understood Prayer; Super Oblata; Sacred). - The prayer of the Mass that is recited over the offerings before the Preface, called… -
Sedibus Caeli Nitidis Receptos
"SEDIBUS CAELI NITIDIS RECEPTOS." - Hymn of Vespers in the Office of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, whose feast Leo XIII made obligatory for the… -
Septuagesima (In the Roman Missal: "Dominica in Septuagesima") (SETTUAGESIMA (NEL MESSALE ROMANO «DOMINICA IN SEPTUAGESIMA»))
SEPTUAGESIMA (In the Roman Missal: "Dominica in Septuagesima"). - It is the ninth Sunday before Easter, in preparation for the feast of the… -
Sequences (SEQUENZE)
SEQUENCES. - At first the sequence was nothing but the vocalization on the final syllable of the Alleluia of the Gradual; it was the… -
Sexagesima (In the Roman Missal: "Dominica in Sexagesima") (SESSAGESIMA (NEL MESSALE ROMANO «DOMINICA IN SEXAGESIMA»))
SEXAGESIMA (In the Roman Missal: "Dominica in Sexagesima"). - The eighth Sunday before Easter, in preparation for the feast of the… -
Sext (SESTA)
SEXT. - Canonical hour to be recited at the sixth hour of the day (according to the Greco-Roman division), that is, at noon. The hymn… -
Sicardo, Bishop Of Cremona (SICARDO, VESCOVO DI CREMONA)
SICARDO, Bishop Of Cremona. - From a Cremonese family (Casellanus or Casalenus, or rather de Casalaschitz [cf. A. Cavalcabò, La famiglia… -
Soul, Recommendation Of The (ANIMA, RACCOMANDAZIONE DELL')
SOUL, RECOMMENDATION OF THE. - The Roman Ritual, tit. V, ch. VII, contains certain liturgical prayers with which the Church accompanies the… -
Splendor Paternae Gloriae
"SPLENDOR PATERNAE GLORIAE." - Hymn of Lauds for Monday, composed by St. Ambrose. The light of day dazzles the poet and carries him to that… -
Stabat Mater
STABAT MATER. - A sequence known in many redactions, from missals and liturgical books (about thirty between the mid-14th century and the… -
Standard (Signum, Vexillum; vessillo, gonfalone) (STENDARDO (SIGNUM, VEXILLUM; VESSILLO, GONFALONE))
STANDARD (Signum, Vexillum; vessillo, gonfalone). - In ecclesiastical usage, mentioned in the Roman Ritual (tit. X, ch. 1, no. 5), they are… -
Stole (More Antiquely Orarium) (STOLA (PIÙ ANTICAMENTE ORARIUM))
STOLE (More Antiquely Orarium). - It is a liturgical insignia, common to deacons, priests and bishops, but worn differently: by deacons on… -
Sub Tuum Praesidium
« SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM ». - It is the oldest prayer to the Most Holy Virgin that is known. I. THE ORIGINAL TEXT. - It is preserved on a… -
Sucinctory (Subcinctorium, Subcingulum, Perizoma; Balteus, Praecinctorium, Semicinctium) (SUCCINTORIO (SUBCINCTORIUM, SUBCINGULUM, PERIZOMA; BALTEUS, PRAECINCTORIUM, SEMICINCTIUM))
SUCINCTORY (Subcinctorium, Subcingulum, Perizoma; Balteus, Praecinctorium, Semicinctium). - An ornament of the Pope at solemn Mass. It is a… -
Summae Deus Clementiae
« SUMMAE DEUS CLEMENTIAE ». - Hymn of Lauds for the feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 September, by an unknown… -
Summae Parens Clementiae
« SUMMAE PARENS CLEMENTIAE ». - Hymn of Matins on Saturday, by an unknown author. It is found in manuscripts of the 9th century (G. M.… -
Summus Refectis Artubus (SOMMO REFECTIS ARTUBUS)
«SOMMO REFECTIS ARTUBUS». - Hymn of Matins on Monday, by an unknown author; it is found in manuscripts of the 9th century (G. M. Dreves,… -
Sunday (DOMENICA)
SUNDAY. - From (dies) Dominica, "day of the Lord." There is discussion about the time, place and manner in which this day came alongside… -
Suscipe, Domine, Universam Meam Libertatem
« SUSCIPE, DOMINE, UNIVERSAM MEAM LIBERTATEM ». — A prayer included among the « Orationes pro opportunitate dicendae » of the Roman… -
Synaxarion (SINASSARIO)
SYNAXARION. - From the Greek συναξάριον, from συνάγει = to gather, and σύναξει = assembly. This term designated a "liturgical book that was… -
Te Decet Laus
« TE DECET LAUS ». - A hymn, or rather a brief Trinitarian acclamation in the form of a doxology. Very ancient, it already appears in the… -
Te Deprecante Corporum
« TE DEPRECANTE CORPORUM ». - Hymn of Lauds in the Office of the feast of St. John of Kenty, by an unknown author of the 18th century. The… -
Te Deum
"TE DEUM". - Also called Hymnus ambrosianus or Hymnus S. Trinitatis, it is a solemn hymn of praise and thanksgiving in honor of the Most… -
Te Dicimus Praeconio
« TE DICIMUS PRAECONIO ». — Hymn of Matins for the feast of the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes, composed in 1880 by Leo XIII. In it the… -
Te Gestientem Gaudii (TE GESTIENTEM GAUDIIS)
"TE GESTIENTEM GAUDIIS." - Hymn of Second Vespers on the feast of the Rosary, composed by the Dominican Father Eustachio Sirena in 1825… -
Te Joseph Celebrent
«TE JOSEPH CELEBRENT». - Hymn of Vespers for the feast of St. Joseph, written by Father Giovanni della Concezione, Discalced Carmelite,… -
Te Lucis Ante Terminum
«TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM». — Hymn of Compline, belonging to the Irish group. It is the evening prayer, in which the soul turns to God asking… -
Te Mater Alma Numinis
«TE MATER ALMA NUMINIS». — Hymn of Lauds for the feast of the Motherhood of the Most Holy Mary, inserted in the office of the feast of the… -
Temporal (TEMPORALE)
TEMPORAL. - I. IN THE LATIN CHURCH. - That part of the liturgical year which in the official books of the Latin Church bears the title… -
Terza
TERZA. - The canonical hour of the third hour of the day, which corresponds to 9 o'clock. It is the most solemn of the minor hours and… -
Te Saeculorum Principem
«TE SAECULORUM PRINCIPEM». - Hymn of Vespers for the feast of Christ the King, composed by Fr. Vittorio Genovesi, S.J., in 1925. To the… -
Te Splendor Et Virtus Patris
"TE SPLENDOR ET VIRTUS PATRIS." - Hymn of Vespers and Matins for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, by an unknown author, but… -
Thalhofer, Valentin
THALHOFER, VALENTIN. - Liturgist and theologian, b. at Unterroth near Ulm, in Germany, on 21 January 1825, d. there on 17 September 1891.… -
Thus Fathers Spend Their Lives in Shadow (SIC PATRES VITAM PERAGUNT IN UMBRA)
"SIC PATRES VITAM PERAGUNT IN UMBRA." - Hymn of Lauds on the feast of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servants of Mary, a continuation of… -
Tiara
TIARA. - From the Greek τάρα, synonym of φάγιον (= turban), a head covering proper to the pope, of conical shape adorned with three crowns… -
Titles of the Roman Church (TITOLI DELLA CHIESA ROMANA)
TITLES OF THE ROMAN CHURCH. - This term today designates the churches of Rome over which a cardinal of the Order of Priests is placed. I.… -
Tommasi, Giuseppe Maria, Blessed (TOMMASI, GIUSEPPE MARIA, BEATO)
TOMMASI, Giuseppe Maria, Blessed. - Cardinal, liturgist, historian and Theatine theologian, b. at Licata (Sicily) on 12 Sept. 1649, d. at… -
Tract (Tractus) (TRATTO (TRACTUS))
TRACT (Tractus). - It is the chant that follows the Gradual (v.) and takes the place of the Alleluia, in the penitential seasons from… -
Triduum, Octave (Octiduum), Novena (TRIDUO, OTTAVARIO (OTTIDUO), NOVENA)
TRIDUUM, Octave (Octiduum), Novena. - These are popular forms of devotion tied to a certain number of days, during which, through various… -
Triodion
TRIODION. - Liturgical book of the Byzantine rite, which contains the Offices of the time preparatory to the feast of Easter, that is, from… -
Trisagion (TRISAGIO)
TRISAGION. - From the Greek τρεῖς - ἅγιος: a hymn in which the word Sanctus is repeated three times. A distinction is made between the… -
Troparion
TROPARION. - A brief rhythmic prayer of the Byzantine liturgy composed of one or a few sentences; it expresses an idea, a sentiment, or a… -
Trope (TROPO)
TROPE. - An ornament of liturgical chant by interpolation or addition, which for that reason tends to embellish by lengthening. This is… -
Tu Natale Solium Protege
"TU NATALE SOLIUM PROTEGE." - Hymn of Lauds in the Office of St. Martina, composed by Urban VIII. It is the continuation of "Martinae… -
Tunicella (Tunica, Tunica Linea, Tunica Striscia; Subtile; Dalmatica Minor, Dalmatica Subdiaconale) (TUNICELLA (TUNICA, TUNICA LINEA, TUNICA STRISCIA; SUBTILE; DALMATICA MINOR, DALMATICA SUBDIACONALIS))
TUNICELLA (tunica, tunica linea, tunica striscia; subtile; dalmatica minor, dalmatica subdiaconalis). - Liturgical outer vestment of the… -
Turibulum (TURIBOLO)
TURIBULUM. - From Lat. thus, thuris "incense", it is a metal vessel for burning perfumes, whose religious use is attested, in the West as… -
Tu Trinitatis Unitas
« TU TRINITATIS UNITAS ». - Hymn of Friday Matins, by an unknown author of the 5th century. It is found in codices of the 9th century. It… -
Umberto of Romans (UMBERTO DI ROMANS)
UMBERTO OF ROMANS. - Fifth Master General of the Dominicans (from 1254 to 1263), b. at Romans near Valence (Dauphiné) ca. 1200, d. in the… -
Umbrellino (Umbella, Umbraculum) (OMBRELLINO (UMBELLA, UMBRACULUM))
UMBRELLINO (Umbella, Umbraculum). - A small, folding umbrella of white damask silk (red in the Ambrosian rite), trimmed with gold or silk… -
Ut Queant Laxis Resonare Fibris
«UT QUEANT LAXIS RESONARE FIBRIS». - Hymn of Vespers in the Office of the feast of St. John the Baptist, written by Paul the Deacon, a… -
Veni Creator Spiritus
«VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS». - Hymn of Vespers and of Terce in the Office of Pentecost. By an unknown author of the end of the 9th century, it… -
Veni Sancte Spiritus
«VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS». - Sequence of the Mass of Pentecost, attributed to Stephen Langton (v. PENTECOSTE). A composition in stanzas of… -
Vespers (Vesperae, Agenda Vespertina, Synaxis Vespertina, Solennitas Vespertina, Gratia Vespertina, Duodecima) (VESPRI (VESPERAE, AGENDA VESPERTINA, SYNAXIS VESPERTINA, SOLENNITAS VESPERTINA, GRATIA VESPERTINA, DUODECIMA))
VESPERS (Vesperae, Agenda vespertina, Synaxis vespertina, Solennitas vespertina, Gratia vespertina, Duodecima). - Canonical hour at sunset;… -
Vexilla Christi Inclita (VEXILLA CHRISTUS INCLYTA)
«VEXILLA CHRISTUS INCLYTA». - Hymn of Lauds for the feast of Christ the King, composed by Fr. Vittorio Genovesi, S.J., in 1925. The reign… -
Vexilla Regis Prodeunt
«VEXILLA REGIS PRODEUNT». - Hymn of Vespers in the season of the Passion, composed at Poitiers ca. 569 by Venantius Fortunatus on the… -
Victimae Paschali
"VICTIMAE PASCHALI." - Easter sequence set to a splendid Gregorian melody that brings into notable relief the animated dialogue about the… -
Vigilia
VIGIL. - It is the day that precedes, as a preparation, the great feasts of the Lord (Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost) and those of… -
Virginis Proles Opifexque Matris (VIRGINIS PROLES OPIFEXQUE MA-TRIS)
"VIRGINIS PROLES OPIFEXQUE MATRIS." — Hymn of Matins in the Common of Virgins, of unknown authorship, already present in manuscripts of the… -
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (VISITAZIONE DI MARIA SANTISSIMA)
VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. - Feast of the universal Church, celebrated on July 2 with the double rite of the second class. The… -
Washing of the Feet (LAVANDA DEI PIEDI)
WASHING OF THE FEET. - It is a ceremony performed on Holy Thursday. In ancient times it followed Baptism, but it was soon abandoned in… -
Way of the Cross (VIA CRUCIS)
WAY OF THE CROSS. - This name is customarily used to indicate the journey that Jesus, bearing the Cross, made from > (photo Giordani) > VIA… -
Wilmart, Henri-Marie-André
WILMART, HENRI-MARIE-ANDRÉ. - Benedictine scholar, b. at Orléans on 28 Jan. 1876, d. at Paris on 21 Apr. 1941. the toleration of every form… -
Year (Liturgical) (ANNO (LITURGICO))
YEAR (LITURGICAL). - It is the series of feasts and festive seasons in the Church, and it has its beginning and development independently… -
Zeon
ZEON. - In the Byzantine liturgy this word designates the hot water which, after being blessed by the priest, the deacon pours into the…