Common Catholic Terms

Catholics use some terms that you might not be familiar with.  The list below contains some terms that are commonly used at OLPH and other Catholic churches.  There won't be a quiz!  We just want you to have a resource for understanding words that might be unfamiliar. For more detailed explanations, speak with our pastor or consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

  1. Adoration: Praying before Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist.
  2. Advent: The first season in the Church year, this approximately month-long period leads up to Christmas.
  3. Anointing of the Sick: The Sacrament of Healing formerly known as “Last Rites.” Anointing of the Sick brings spiritual and physical comfort to the ill or dying. People can be anointed when they are in danger due to illness or age.
  4. Ambo: A lectern, podium or pulpit where the readings and Gospel are made at Mass.
  5. Baptism: The first of the three Sacraments of Initiation (followed by Eucharist and Confirmation), Baptism cleanses the recipient of all sin (including original sin), re-births them as a child of God, and officially incorporates them into the the Body of Christ.
  6. Basilica: An important church building that has been designated by the Pope based on three factors: Architectural significance and beauty, Historical significance, and Liturgical/Spiritual significance.  The Diocese of Richmond has two basilicas:  Basilica of St. Andrew in Roanoke, and Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk.
  7. Blessed: The title used for a deceased person who has been beatified and is in the process of Canonization to be proclaimed a Saint.
  8. Bishop: Appointed by the Pope in succession of Christ’s twelve apostles, bishops oversee a particular Diocese. They are charged with teaching, governing, and sanctifying the local church. Our current bishop, Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, is the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond. Appointed by Pope Francis on December 5, 2017, he was installed January 12, 2018, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.
  9. Canon Law: The laws governing the Catholic Church. The Code of Canon Law, the compilation of all current laws of the Church, is available online.
  10. Canonization: The process by which the Pope solemnly declares a deceased person can be honored as a Saint due to having lived a life of heroic virtue or remaining faithful to God through martyrdom.
  11. Catechism: A comprehensive summary of Catholic faith, morals, and doctrine intended to aid those who have the duty to teach the faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is available online.
  12. Cathedral: The seat (or cathedra) of the local bishop. The Cathedral of the Diocese of Richmond is Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond.
  13. Chrism Mass: The annual Holy Week Mass at which Priests renew their promises and the bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism, Oil of the Sick, and Oil of Catechumens. It is often the largest annual gathering of clergy in most dioceses.
  14. Christmas: The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas season begins on December 25 and continues through early January.
  15. Clergy: Priests, Deacons, and Bishops of the Catholic Church who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders at their Ordination.
  16. Communion: (see Eucharist.) The act of receiving communion, eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ truly present in the Eucharist, also joins the faithful together as members of Christ’s Body. Communion implies both union with Christ and union with the Church. For this reason, non-Catholics are not permitted to receive the Eucharist.
  17. Communion Service: A service similar to the Mass, where reserved Hosts are distributed for Holy Communion by Laity or a deacon.
  18. Confirmation: The second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (following Baptism and Eucharist).
  19. Consecrated (Religious) Life: Also known as religious life or consecrated religious, these are communities of people who have been dedicated to celibacy for the kingdom of God, including monks, brothers, nuns, sisters, hermits, and consecrated virgins.
  20. Deacon: From the Greek diakonos, meaning “servant,” a deacon is a member of the Clergy who is commissioned at his Ordination to serve through work of Liturgy, Doctrine, and Charity. Married men may be ordained deacons.
  21. Deanery: A bishop may group parishes within a specific area into deaneries, which are led by a Dean.  There are 15 deaneries in the Diocese of Richmond.  OLPH is in Deanery 12.
  22. Diocese: A defined territory or churches under the jurisdiction of a Bishop, including parishes, schools, and other facilities. OLPH is in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.  The other diocese in Virginia is the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.
  23. Dogma: Truth revealed by God and declared binding by the Magisterium.
  24. Easter: Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays, celebrating Christ's resurrection from the dead.  The Easter season begins at the Easter Vigil and continues for 50 days, culminating in Christ's Ascension to Heaven and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church at Pentecost.
  25. Eucharist: From the Greek Eucharistia, meaning “thanksgiving.” The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ, truly present under the appearance of consecrated bread and wine.
  26. Extraordinary Form: (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass.) The celebration of the Mass used by the Catholic Church prior to Vatican II. Some differences include: the use of Latin, moments when the Presider faces God with the people (ad orientum) rather than exclusively facing the people, and more use of chant and incense.
  27. Genuflect: The touch of one knee to the ground showing respect to Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist.
  28. Grace: Free and undeserved gifts received from God. Also a prayer of blessing before meals.
  29. Holy Day of Obligation:  In addition to Sunday Masses, there are five Holy Days of Obligation in our diocese.  They are Mary, Mother of God (January 1), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8), and Christmas (December 25).  The obligation is lifted for January 1, August 15, and November 1 when they fall on a Saturday or Monday, but December 8 and 25 always remain obligatory.
  30. Holy Orders: The Sacrament of Service by which Deacons, Priests, and Bishops are commissioned to serve the Church through Ordination.
  31. Holy See: From the Latin Sancta Sedes, meaning “holy chair,” the Holy See is the “seat” (See) of the Bishop of the Diocese of Rome: the Pope. It is the seat of universal government for the Church, operating from the Vatican City State, and governed by the Pope.
  32. Holy Week: The week between Palm Sunday and Easter is observed with special solemnity and devotion to the Passion of Christ. The week includes the Triduum.
  33. Homily:  A religious commentary given by a priest or deacon during Mass immediately following the Gospel reading, for the purpose of explaining the scripture readings, unpacking sacred doctrine, and applying the Word of God to the everyday lives of the congregation.
  34. Host: Thin, round, unleavened bread used for Holy Communion.
  35. Immaculate Conception: Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother free from the stain of Original Sin (immaculately) through the merits of Jesus Christ, her Son.
  36. Intercession: To go between two parties, pleading on behalf of one to the other. Though typically used in reference to the intercession of Mary or the Saints, people also intercede for each other any time they pray for one another.
  37. Jesus Christ: The Son of God. The Word of God made flesh, eternally begotten of God the Father. The second person of the Holy Trinity. The sacrificial lamb whose passion, death, and resurrection has saved humanity from sin. A real human being for whom there is as much historical evidence as any other ancient figure.
  38. Laity: Ordinary members of the Catholic Church who are not Clergy or avowed to other religious life.
  39. Latin: The universal language of the Church’s scriptures and Liturgy from the 4th century to the late ‘60s. Latin remains the official language of the Church, a sign of unity in a universal congregation.
  40. Lectern: A lectern or podium where the announcements are made.
  41. Lector: The person assigned to read scriptural texts other than the Gospel at a Liturgy. Reading the Gospel is specifically reserved for the Clergy.
  42. Lent: The 40 days between Ash Wednesday and sundown on Holy Thursday, leading up to the Triduum and Easter. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving characterized by sacrifice and known for meatless Fridays.
  43. Liturgy: The official, public services and rites of the Church, including but not limited to Mass.
  44. Magisterium: From the Latin magister, meaning “teacher,” the magisterium refers to the teaching authority of the Church as the authentic interpreter of scripture and Tradition, the Pope and Bishops who exercise this authority, and the body of teachings authoritatively proclaimed by the Church.
  45. Matrimony: A Sacrament of service in which a man and a woman establish a life-long covenant ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children.
  46. Mary: Mother of Jesus Christ and, therefore, Mother of God. She is also called “full of grace,” “Mother of the Church,” “Our Lady,” the “Blessed Virgin Mary,” and the “New Eve.” Mary intercedes to Jesus on our behalf — as the Queen Mother would to the king on behalf of the people of ancient Israel (see Intercession). The Church teaches four Dogmas about Mary:  She is the Mother of God, she is a perpetual virgin, she is the Immaculate Conception, she was assumed (raised) into Heaven by the divine power of God.
  47. Mass: From the Latin Missa, from the dismissal of the Mass: Ite, missa est, which means “Go, you are sent.” The Mass is the official worship service and central Liturgy of the Catholic Church. Masses are held every day of the year except Good Friday and include prayer, the reading of scripture, singing of hymns, and the celebration of the Eucharist.
  48. Miracle: Works of God, often through the Intercession of Mary or the Saints. The Church does not accept miracles on blind faith but rigorously tests reported phenomena to ensure they are truly works of God.
  49. Miter: The liturgical headwear worn by the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, and Archbishops. It has two shield-shaped stiffened halves that face front and back, with two fringed streamers (lappets) hanging from the back.
  50. Monstrance: From the Latin monstrare, meaning “to show.” Typically made of gold and very ornate, the monstrance is used to display the Sacred Host for Adoration.
  51. Narthex: The enclosed area at the entrance of a church.
  52. Ordinary Form: The celebration of the Mass primarily used by the Catholic Church since Vatican II. It uses the language in the vernacular, meaning the native, local language of the people.
  53. Ordinary Time: From the Latin ordinalis or ordinal, meaning “ordered” or “showing succession.” Ordinary time is celebrated from the end of the Christmas season until Lent and from the end of the Easter season until Advent.
  54. Ordination: The act of conferring the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
  55. Original Sin: The hereditary spiritual defect passed through all people from our first parents, Adam and Eve. At its most basic, original sin can be seen in humanity’s fallen nature. “Human nature is weakened in its powers; subject to ignorance, suffering, and the domination of death; and inclined to sin” (CCC 418).
  56. Parish: From the Latin parochia and Greek paraoikia, meaning a group of neighboring dwellings. A section of a Diocese under the leadership of a Pastor and centered around a church building. The parish does not just include the people who attend Mass at the church; rather, the Pastor is responsible for the spiritual well-being of every person within the parish boundaries.
  57. Parochial Vicar: Priest who serves as an assistant to a Pastor of a Parish.
  58. Pastor: Latin meaning “shepherd.” A Priest delegated by the Bishop to the pastoral care of a Parish. Much like the bishop oversees a Diocese, the pastor is responsible for instruction of the faithful, administration of the Sacraments, and governance of his parish.
  59. Penance: An action called for by a Priest after Confession to make amends for sin.
  60. Pope: Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, the pope is the Vicar of Christ – the chief Pastor of the whole Church. The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals in a Conclave after the death (or resignation) of the previous pope. The office of pope is typically held for life. Our current pope is His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, who was elevated to the papacy on May 8, 2025.
  61. Prayer: From the Latin precari, French prier, meaning to plead, to beg, to ask earnestly. “The raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God” (CCC 2559).
  62. Presider: The Priest who presides over or celebrates a Mass. Additional priests are concelebrating.
  63. Priest: From the Greek presbyteros, meaning “elder.” A member of the Clergy who is commissioned at his Ordination to offer sacrifice (the Eucharist), forgive sins, preach, and sanctify. He is given care for souls under the authority of his Bishop, to whom he commits obedience annually at the Chrism Mass.
  64. Pyx:  A small metal container to securely carry the Eucharist to the sick and homebound. 
  65. Reconciliation: The Sacrament of Healing also known as Confession or Penance. We all fall short of the glory of God. Reconciliation allows us to return to Him by the forgiveness of our sins.
  66. Rosary: A combination of meditative and formal prayer reflecting on the life of Christ through the Intercession of Mary. Typically prayed on a string of beads, the rosary is a private/personal devotion and not a formal Liturgy.
  67. Sacrament: An outward sign of inward Grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, that does what it says (is efficacious) giving divine life to the faithful. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.
  68. Saint: From the Latin sanctus or sancti, meaning “set apart, sanctified, made holy.” All of the souls in heaven are saints, united with God for eternity. The Church also recognizes specific Saints (big S) who have gone through the Canonization process and have been officially proclaimed worthy of imitation and reverence.
  69. Seminary: An institution for educating men (seminarians) to prepare them for Ordination and service as Clergy.
  70. Sign of the Cross: A ritual blessing or prayer tracing a cross from the forehead to the chest and to each shoulder or in the air with the Trinitarian (see Trinity) formula: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
  71. Stewardship: The way our time, talents, and treasure are given for the service of God. This service allows us to grow in our faith journey and helps others in need. Parish life offers many opportunities for stewardship within and beyond the OLPH community!
  72. Sunday Obligation: Except for cases of serious illness, caring for the sick, or inescapable work commitments, Catholics are expected to attend a Sunday Mass.  This obligation can be met by attending an in-person Mass on Sunday itself or a Saturday evening Vigil Mass.  Deliberate unexcused absence is considered a grave sin.
  73. Tabernacle: A liturgical (see Liturgy) furnishing used to house the Eucharist outside of Mass. This provides a location where the Eucharist can be kept for the Adoration or for later use (e.g., distribution to the sick). The word tabernacle means “dwelling place.”
  74. Transubstantiation: The change of substance in the  Eucharistic elements into the Body and Blood of Christ, while maintaining the appearance of bread and wine.
  75. Triduum: The observance of the passion, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. The Triduum chronologically spans three days but encompasses one Liturgy, including Holy Thursday, when we commemorate Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist, Holy Orders, and the Mass; Good Friday, when we remember the crucifixion of the Lord; and Holy Saturday, when we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
  76. Trinity: God who is a unity of three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in one divine nature; one of the greatest mysteries of the Faith.
  77. USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops): An assembly of the hierarchy of Catholic bishops who jointly exercise pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
  78. Vatican II: A council of the world’s bishops and their theological advisors from 1962 to 1965. Pope St. John XXIII opened the council to help the Church live and express the truths of the Faith in ways the modern world can understand. This council resulted in an updated Code of Canon Law, Catechism, and Roman Missal (instructions for Liturgy).