Catholicism/Glossary

Terms · Phrases · Abbreviations

• 7 Deadly sins

• 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

• 7 Sacraments

• 8 Beatitudes

• 10 Commandments

• Apostolic voyage - International travel by the Pope to visit Catholics worldwide
• Catechesis (often called catechism) - Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people and adults which includes especially the teaching of Catholic doctrine from a catechism book
• Event - World Youth Day is an example of a Catholic event
• Marches and Protests - March for Life and Protests at Abortion Clinics which often include prayer
• RCIA - RCIA stands for: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - a Catholic class for converts to Catholicism
• Retreats - Withdrawal for a period of time form one's usual surroundings and occupation to a place of solitude for meditation, self-examination, and prayer

• Basilica

• Cemetery

• Church

• Pilgrimage site

• Scriptorium

• Shrine

• Alcove - a small space in a room, formed by one part of a wall being farther back than the parts on each side
• Aspersory - a brush or small perforated container with a handle that is used for sprinkling holy water in a liturgical service
• Baptismal font - tub which serves as a receptacle for baptismal water used for baptism
• Ciborium - a goblet-shaped vessel for holding eucharistic bread
• Cruet - a small container for the wine or water to be used in the celebration of the Eucharist
• Genuflection - lower one's body briefly by bending one knee to the ground, typically in worship or as a sign of respect
• Monstrance - an open or transparent receptacle in which the consecrated Host is exposed for veneration
• Orans - outstretched arms and palms up in a gesture of prayer
• Palm branch - a symbol of the victory of the faithful over the enemies of the soul
• Pew (with Kneeler) - a long bench with a back, placed in rows in the main part of some churches to seat the laity
• Procession - a number of people or vehicles moving forward in an orderly fashion, especially as part of a ceremony
• Sacristy - A room in a church where sacred vessels, books, vestments, etc. are kept. Sometimes also used by clergy to prepare for worship or for meetings
• Stained glass - colored glass used to form decorative or pictorialdesigns, notably for church windows, both by painting and especially by setting contrasting pieces in a lead framework like a mosaic
• Stations of the Cross - a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' progress from his condemnation by Pilate to his crucifixion and burial, before which devotions are performed in many churches
• Tabernacle - a fixed, locked box in which the Eucharist is stored
• Thurible - a metal censer suspended from chains, in which incense is burned during worship services
• Vatican City Flag

• Apostate

• Concupiscence

• Heretic

• Deo gratias

• Mea culpa

• Quis ut Deus?

• USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)