Unmasking Catholicism

Mary Ann Collins, a former Catholic nun

Appendix C
Glossary

ABBOT. The superior of an abbey (a large, independent monastery).

ABSOLUTION. According to Catholic doctrine, during the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), a qualified Catholic priest can absolve Catholics from their sins. (Sacraments are rituals that use objects and actions in order to confer spiritual benefits. When the priest absolves sins, he makes the sign of the cross and recites a precise verbal formula.)

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. According to Catholic doctrine, the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ are literally present in every crumb of consecrated bread and every drop of consecrated wine. Therefore, the custom of worshiping consecrated bread is encouraged. A consecrated Host (a large communion wafer) is placed in a monstrance (a special container for displaying the Host). Catholics worship the Host as if it was Jesus Christ Himself, in person, in front of them.

ALTAR. A special table on which the sacrifice of the Mass is offered. Fixed altars (the kind found in churches) contain an altar stone. This is a small, flat stone that is consecrated by a bishop. It has a cavity that contains the relics of two canonized martyrs. It is usually inserted into the center of an altar. During Mass, the ciborium (which contains the Host and smaller communion wafers) and the chalice (which contains the wine) are placed on top of the altar stone.

ANATHEMA. The most severe form of excommunication. It includes a solemn ecclesiastical curse. This can happen automatically. For example, according to the Council of Trent, any person who believes that Christians are saved by faith alone is automatically anathematized. It can also be done using a formal, written ritual, during which the Pope or his representative "sentences" people to be cursed to damnation, unless they "repent" and unconditionally submit their thoughts and actions to the Catholic Church.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK (Last Rites; Extreme Unction). A sacrament in which the priest anoints the hands and forehead of a sick Catholic, using olive oil that has been blessed by a bishop. He says a prayer that is a standard verbal formula. This is traditionally done when Catholics are in danger of dying.

APOSTOLIC. Papal; relating to the Pope. For example, an apostolic delegate is a man who represents the Pope.

APOSTOLIC SEE (Holy See). (1) The official residence of the Pope in Rome. (2) The offices of Vatican officials who assist the Pope. (3) The power and authority of the Pope.

APPARITION. "Mary," "Jesus," angels, or saints appear to people. Some apparitions have been officially approved by the Roman Catholic Church. In other words, Catholic Church officials have formally declared that the apparition is genuine and it has not said or done anything that is contrary to Catholic doctrine. Two well known apparitions that have been officially approved are apparitions of "Mary" at Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal.

ASH WEDNESDAY. The first day of Lent. Blessed palms are burned to make ashes. The priests put the ashes on the foreheads of the people. This is a sign of penance.

ATONE. To make amends for an offense; to expiate; to restore harmony between individuals. Jesus atoned for our sins.

ATONEMENT. When Jesus Christ voluntarily died on the cross, He atoned for the sins of mankind. When Jesus was on the cross, He said: "It is finished." However, according to the Catholic Church, when God forgives sins, He may still require that the sinner atone for his or her sins by suffering, either here on earth, or else in Purgatory. According to this doctrine, the death of Jesus Christ was not sufficient to fully pay for our sins. We also have to pay for them.

AVE MARIA (Hail Mary). This traditional prayer to Mary is associated with the rosary, but it is also used for other things. The words are: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."

BAPTISM. According to Catholic doctrine, the sacrament of baptism cleanses the person who is baptized from all sin. As a result, he or she becomes reborn (born again). It is the sacrament that is said to remove the sin, rather than God's response to the repentance of the person who is baptized. It is the sacrament that is said to cause a person to become born again, rather than the faith of the person who is baptized.

BAPTISMAL GRACES. According to Catholic doctrine, the sacrament of baptism supernaturally accomplishes the following things: (1) It removes all of the guilt of sin. (2) It removes all of the punishment due for past sins. (3) It infuses sanctifying grace into the person. (4) It infuses faith, hope, and charity into the person. (5) It makes the person a member of the Mystical Body of Christ. (See "Mystical Body of Christ.")

BAPTISMAL WATER. A special kind of holy water that is used for the sacrament of baptism. It is ritually blessed on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). Baptismal water is a sacramental (an object or action that is supposed to confer spiritual benefits and that has been approved by the Catholic Church).

BEATIFICATION. An official declaration by the Pope that a deceased man or woman is in Heaven. People who have been beatified are given the title "Blessed." Catholics are allowed to publicly pray to them, invoke them, and venerate them.

BENEDICTION. A priest holds up a monstrance containing a consecrated Host (a large communion wafer). He makes the sign of the cross with the monstrance and pronounces a blessing. Catholics perceive this as having been blessed by Jesus Christ Himself. (A monstrance is an ornate container for displaying a consecrated Host.)

BISHOP. According to Catholic doctrine, a bishop is a successor of the Apostles. A bishop has the authority to ordain priests.

BLESSED MOTHER. A term used to honor the Virgin Mary.

BLESSED SACRAMENT (the Eucharist; Holy Communion). Bread and wine that have been consecrated by a priest during Mass. According to Catholic doctrine, the bread and wine literally become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church uses real wine, but it uses communion wafers instead of regular bread.

BLESSED SALT. Salt that has been ritually blessed by a priest. Blessed salt is a sacramental. It is use to protect people from evil. Some people sprinkle blessed salt across thresholds, or in cars, for protection. Some people put it in food or drinking water for physical healing.

BREVIARY. A liturgical book that contains the Divine Office (a collection of hymns, written prayers, Psalms, and readings from Scripture).

BROWN SCAPULAR. According to tradition, in 1251, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Simon Stock. She carried a Brown Scapular. She promised that people who are wearing the Brown Scapular when they die will not go to Hell. Wearing the Brown Scapular also enables people to receive the benefits of the Sabbatine Privilege (a promise that Mary will get people out of Purgatory). The use of the Brown Scapular has been strongly recommended by many popes, including Pope Paul VI (1963-1978).

BULL (Papal Bull). A papal encyclical dealing with especially important matters. (An encyclical is a letter written by the Pope to the bishops.) The term "bull" comes from a special seal (bulla) that is put on the encyclical, because of its importance.

CANDLE. (1) A sacramental that is used in the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Candles are blessed on Candlemas (February 2). (2) Objects used in private devotional practices, such as votive candles placed in front of statues, and novena candles that are burned while praying novena prayers.

CANON LAW. The ecclesiastical laws that are used to govern the Roman Catholic Church.

CANONIZATION. An official declaration by the Pope that a deceased man or woman is a saint and is in Heaven. When people have been beatified, Catholics are allowed to pray to them and venerate them. It is optional. When people have been canonized, then Catholics are required to venerate them. Honoring canonized saints is mandatory.

CARDINAL. Apart from the Pope, cardinals hold the highest office in the Catholic Church. They assist the Pope with the government of the Catholic Church. Originally, men could become Pope through various means. Later, popes were (and still are) elected by cardinals. In order to qualify to be elected Pope, a man must first be a cardinal. Cardinals have the honor of being allowed to wear scarlet hats and scarlet cassocks.

CARDINAL'S PURPLE. A term for the color scarlet. Purple used to be a very expensive dye. The color was associated with wealth and power. Purple was worn by Roman Emperors and Roman Catholic popes. In the Middle Ages, scarlet also became associated with wealth and power. It was (and is) worn by Roman Catholic cardinals.

CASSOCK. A long garment that reaches to the feet. It is worn by Catholic clergymen. Cardinals are allowed to wear scarlet cassocks. Depending on the occasion, cardinals wear a cassock that is scarlet, or else they wear a cassock that is black, with scarlet buttons and a wide scarlet sash.

CHALICE. A large goblet used at Mass to contain the wine for consecration. A chalice is consecrated by a bishop, using holy chrism.

CHAPLET. Chaplets are prayers that are said using beads. Some of them, such as the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, use regular rosary beads, but with different prayers. Others, such as the Chaplet of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Chaplet of Saint Joseph, use different beads.

CHRISM. A mixture of olive oil and balsam (an aromatic substance from plants). It is a sacramental that is consecrated by a bishop. Chrism is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders (ordination). It is used when blessing baptismal water and church tower bells, and when consecrating churches, altars, chalices, and patens.

CIBORIUM. A covered container that holds communion wafers during Mass. It is similar to a chalice, but larger.

CLERGY. Men who are ordained as deacons, priests or bishops. Clergymen are also called clerics.

CLERICAL. Something that relates to clergy.

CLOISTER. A secluded monastery or convent. In a strictly cloistered convent, the nuns are cut off from the rest of the world. If visitors come to see the nuns, they are separated from them by a grille. This allows conversation and eye contact, but it prevents any kind of physical contact.

COLORS. Colors are used to indicate the rank and importance of Catholic clergy. Priests wear black. Bishops wear purple. Cardinals wear scarlet. There are two special hats that can be worn by bishops and cardinals. One is a skull cap, called a zucchetto. The other is a special kind of cap that is square, with three ridges or peaks on its upper surface. It is called a biretta (or berretta). Bishops are allowed to wear purple zucchettos and birettas, and a purple cassock with crimson trimmings. (A cassock is a long, loose, priestly garment.) Cardinals are allowed to wear scarlet zucchettos, birettas, and cassocks.

COMMUNION (the Eucharist). Bread and wine that have been consecrated by a priest during the sacrament of the Mass. (The priest has performed the ritual of consecration using the correct verbal formula.) According to Catholic doctrine, the bread and wine literally become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church uses real wine, but it uses communion wafers instead of regular bread.

COMMUNION OF SAINTS. According to Catholic doctrine, there is unity among the members of the Catholic Church on earth, in Heaven, and in Purgatory, and they help one another through prayers and good works. Catholics on earth are said to be in communion with the saints in Heaven, because they venerate them, imitate them, pray to them, and invoke their assistance. Catholics on earth are said to be in communion with the souls in Purgatory, because they do things to help them get out of Purgatory (prayers, good works, having masses said for them, and earning indulgences on their behalf).

COMMUNION WAFERS. The Catholic Church uses communion wafers for Mass instead of regular bread. The priest uses a large communion wafer called a Host. People attending Mass eat small communion wafers. They are round, thin, and flat.

CONCLAVE. During an election for a new Pope, the cardinals are kept enclosed in the Sistine Chapel until the new Pope is chosen. The term "conclave" refers to: (1) The temporary living quarters of the cardinals; and (2) The gathering of cardinals who elect the Pope.

CONCORDAT. A treaty between the Holy See (the Vatican) and the ruler of a sovereign nation.

CONFESSION (Sacrament of Penance; Sacrament of Reconciliation). According to Catholic doctrine, Catholics can have their sins be absolved by a qualified Catholic priest. This is done using a ritual that includes the "words of absolution" (a verbal formula that the priest uses to absolve the sins).

CONFESSIONAL. An enclosed place where a priest sits to hear confessions. There is a partition, with the priest sitting on one side of it, and the person confessing his or her sins sitting on the other side of it. There is a small screened window that allows the priest to talk to the penitent.

CONFIRMATION. According to Catholic doctrine, this sacrament causes baptized Catholics to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. It involves the laying on of hands and anointing with chrism.

CONSECRATE. (1) To declare something to be holy or to make it holy. (2) To set something apart for service to God or worship of God. (3) To make bread and wine turn into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

CONSECRATION. (1) An event that occurs during the sacrament of the Mass. The priest says words of consecration (a verbal formula). According to Catholic doctrine, when those words are said by a validly ordained Catholic priest, then the bread and wine literally become the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. (2) Setting something apart for God, or for liturgical use by the Catholic Church. For example, bishops consecrate chrism. The consecrated chrism is used by bishops when they consecrate chalices and churches.

CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE. Religious life that stresses prayer, self-denial, and meditation on spiritual things.

CONVENT. A nunnery. A community of nuns who are governed by a superior.

CRUCIFIX. An image of Christ on the cross. It can be a carving, a painting, a medal, or any other representation of the crucifixion of Christ.

CRUSADES. Popes raised armies to take the Holy Land (Israel) back from the Muslims. The Albigensian massacre was a crusade against Christians. Hundreds of thousands of French people were killed by the Crusaders, including Catholics who lived in the area inhabited by the Albigensians.

CURIA (Roman Curia). A group of men in the Vatican who assist the Pope in directing the operations of the Catholic Church.

DECADE. A rosary is made of five sets of decades. Each decade has one bead that is separated from a group of ten beads. The "Our Father" (Lord's Prayer) is said on the single bead. The "Hail Mary" is said on the ten beads. (There are ten prayers to Mary for every one prayer to God.) The words of the "Hail Mary" are: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."

DIVINE MERCY. Saint Faustina had an apparition of "Jesus" who showed her a picture. He said that souls who venerate that image will not perish. The picture shows Jesus with rays of light coming out of His chest. It has an inscription: "Jesus I trust in you." The apparition taught Sister Faustina some devotional practices based on the Divine Mercy of Jesus. There is a chaplet of Divine Mercy, which he said would be especially effective if it is prayed at 3:00 o'clock (the "hour of divine mercy"). There is a Novena of Mercy which is prayed from Good Friday until the Sunday after Easter.

DIVINE OFFICE. A liturgical book that contains written prayers, hymns, and readings from Scripture. All 150 Psalms are read every week. However, the longer psalms are not read in their entirety. Only portions of them are read. The Divine Office is read by priests, monks, and nuns. In some religious communities, it is sung publicly. It is traditional to use Gregorian chant when singing it.

ECCLESIASTICAL. Something that relates to the church.

ENCYCLICAL. A document that the Pope sends to the bishops, dealing with matters related to the general welfare of the Catholic Church. They often contain pronouncements about matters of faith and morals. Encyclicals that deal with especially important matters are called "papal bulls."

EUCHARIST (the Blessed Sacrament; Holy Communion). Bread and wine that have been consecrated by a priest during Mass.

EXCOMMUNICATION. Cutting a person, or group of people, off from the Roman Catholic Church and its sacraments. The most severe form of excommunication is the anathema, which can be accompanied by a solemn, written ritual, with ecclesiastical curses.

EXTREME UNCTION (Anointing of the Sick; Last Rites). A sacrament in which a priest anoints the hands and forehead of a sick person, using olive oil that has been blessed by a bishop. The priest says a prayer that is a standard verbal formula. This is traditionally done when a Catholic is in danger of dying.

FASTING. A form of penance that involves abstaining from particular foods, or limiting the quantity of foods eaten. Fasting requirements are determined by local Catholic bishops. The rules change from time to time. At present (2003), American Catholics are required to abstain from eating the meat of birds or land animals on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. However, they are allowed to eat fish. In 1997, the American bishops met to decide whether or not to again require Catholics to abstain from eating meat on all Fridays. According to Canon Law, abstaining from eating meat on all Fridays is mandatory, unless the bishops substitute other forms of penance for it. (See "Lent.")

FEAST DAYS. Days on which Mary, angels, saints, or sacred events are honored.

FINAL PENITENCE. Having a person's sins be absolved by a priest before the person dies.

FINAL PERSEVERANCE. Having a person be in a state of grace when he or she dies.

FINGER ROSARY. A small pocket rosary with one decade of beads that touch each other. It looks like a ring with bumps on it and a cross attached to it. People can put it on their index finger and move through the beads with their thumb. When they come to the cross, then they know that they have completed the decade. One variation of the finger rosary is the rosary ring.

FIRST FRIDAYS. According to tradition, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1699. He asked her to observe the "Devotion of First Fridays" (receiving Communion on the first Friday of nine consecutive months). He also asked that people keep a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes and honor it. He promised that if people do these things, then their names will be written in Jesus' Heart and will never be blotted out, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be their refuge when they die.

FIRST SATURDAYS. Our Lady of Fatima (the apparition of "Mary" at Fatima, Portugal) gave promises of things she would do for Catholics who observe the "Devotion of First Saturdays." In order to fulfill the conditions for receiving the promises, Catholics have to do the following things on the first Saturday of five consecutive months: (1) Go to confession (the sacrament of reconciliation); (2) Receive communion (this requires them to attend Mass); (3) Pray the rosary; (4) Spend 15 minutes "keeping Mary company"; (5) Consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; and (6) Do these things with the intention of making reparation to Mary for sin. The apparitions at Fatima were officially approved by the Roman Catholic Church. Therefore, the observation of First Saturdays (including making reparation to Mary for sin) does not conflict with Catholic doctrine.

FLAGELLATE. To flog, whip, scourge. Flagellation has traditionally been used as a form of penance, to mortify the body and to atone for sin. Padre Pio is a modern example of a Catholic priest who was known for whipping himself. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), flagellation became less common.

FLAGELLANTS. People who whip or scourge themselves, or one another, as an act of penance or atonement for sin. On Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), some countries have processions of flagellants who whip themselves or one another.

GENUFLECT. A gesture of reverence or worship. One knee goes down to the floor and the other knee remains bent. It is traditional to genuflect in front of the Blessed Sacrament (bread that has been consecrated during Mass) and before entering a church pew. It is also traditional to genuflect before the Pope, a cardinal, or a bishop, and to kiss his ring.

GOOD FRIDAY. The Friday before Easter. Traditionally, there are services in honor of the crucifixion of Jesus.

GRACE. Catholic perception of grace is different from that of Protestants. This can be illustrated by the following two examples. (1) According to Catholic liturgy, grace can be given to inanimate objects. The Catholic ritual for baptizing infants includes a prayer asking God to give grace to the water that will be used. (2) Grace is said to be automatically given to people as a result of the sacraments. (One example is "baptismal graces.")

GREEN SCAPULAR. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Sister Justine Bisqueyburu in 1840. Mary was carrying the Green Scapular. It had a picture of Mary's heart, pierced with a sword, with drops of blood coming out of it. On the scapular was written the following prayer: "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death." Healings have been attributed to the Green Scapular.

HABIT. Special clothing that is worn by monks and nuns. Each religious order has its own distinctive habit.

HAIL MARY. This prayer to Mary is associated with the rosary, but it is also used for other things. The words are: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death."

HERESY. If a person claims to be a Christian, and he or she believes something that is contrary to Catholic doctrine, then the Catholic Church calls that belief a heresy.

HERETIC. A person who teaches or believes a heresy. According to the Catholic Church, in order to be considered heretics, people must have been baptized, they must claim to be Christians, and they must doubt or deny a Catholic doctrine. In addition, the Catholic Church must consider their disbelief to be "morally culpable." However, in Spain, the Inquisition killed Jews and Muslims as heretics, in spite of the fact that they were not baptized and they did not claim to be Christians. During the Protestant Reformation, men and women who had been born and raised as Protestants were killed as heretics.

HOLY CARDS. Cards that have religious pictures related to Catholicism. These include pictures of Jesus, Mary, saints, popes, or shrines. There is often a prayer written on the back of the card. Sometimes holy cards commemorate special events, such as a child's first communion.

HOLY CHRISM. A mixture of olive oil and balsam (an aromatic substance from plants). It is a sacramental that is consecrated by a bishop. Chrism is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders (ordination). It is used when blessing baptismal water, and when consecrating churches, altars, chalices, and patens.

HOLY COMMUNION (the Eucharist; the Blessed Sacrament). Bread and wine that have been consecrated by a priest during Mass.

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION. Special days on which Catholics are required to attend Mass. Attendance at Mass is mandatory for Catholics on Sundays and on holy days of obligation.

HOLY FATHER. A term used by Jesus to address God, and by Catholics to address the Pope.

HOLY MOTHER CHURCH. A term used for the Roman Catholic Church. This is why writers sometimes refer to the Catholic Church as "she" rather than "it."

HOLY OFFICE. Another name for the Office of the Inquisition. In 1965, its name was changed to The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

HOLY OILS. (1) Holy oils for liturgical use are sacramentals. They are blessed by a bishop. There are three kinds of holy oil: oil of catechumens (used for baptism), chrism, and oil of the sick (for anointing the sick). Oil of catechumens and oil of the sick are pure olive oil. Chrism is a mixture of olive oil with balm or balsam (an aromatic substance). Holy oils are used for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the anointing of the sick. The blessing of the holy oils is done by a bishop on Holy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter). The oils are distributed to local churches, where they are kept in locked boxes. Any oil that is not used within a year is burned in the sanctuary lamp. (2) There are holy oils for personal use. They are usually taken from oil lamps burning at shrines. Some examples are: Saint Anne's Oil, Saint Joseph's Oil, and Saint Philomena's Oil. Healings have been attributed to Saint Anne's Oil.

HOLY ORDERS. The sacrament of ordination. Deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained.

HOLY SEE (Apostolic See). (1) The official residence of the Pope in Rome. (2) The offices of Vatican officials who assist the Pope. (3) The power and authority of the Pope.

HOLY WATER. Holy water is a sacramental. It is blessed by a priest, using chrism. When Catholics enter a Catholic Church, they often dip their fingers in holy water and make the sign of the cross. Priests use holy water when blessing people or objects. In addition to ordinary holy water, there are also some special kinds of holy water. Baptismal holy water is used in the sacrament of baptism. Easter holy water is used during the Paschal Season (the period of time from the Saturday before Easter to the Saturday after Pentecost). Some Catholics keep holy water in their homes and use it during times of physical or spiritual danger. Some people sprinkle it around their home, sprinkle it on themselves or other people, or drink it.

HOST. A large communion wafer, which is used by the priest when saying Mass.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. The doctrine that Mary was conceived without sin, that she did not have "original sin" (the sin inherited from Adam).

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. There is a picture that represents the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It shows Mary with her chest open, her heart exposed, flames above it, light coming out of it, and a sword piercing it. The apparition of "Mary" at Fatima, Portugal, told people to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, using a special prayer.

INCENSE. Incense is an aromatic gum or resin, that is in the form of powder or grains, so that it can readily be burned. It gives off a fragrant smoke. Priests carry burning incense in a censer (a special container that releases the fragrance and protects the priest from the heat of the burning material). Incense that has been blessed is a sacramental. It is used during Mass, at Benediction, and during processions. Five large grains of incense are placed in the Paschal Candle, symbolizing the five wounds of Christ. The Paschal Candle is used during the Paschal Season (the period of time from the Saturday before Easter to the Saturday following Pentecost).

INDULGENCED. Prayers and pious acts for which the Catholic Church grants indulgences. In addition to praying the indulgenced prayers or doing the indulgenced acts, the Catholic must also: (1) Go to confession (the sacrament of reconciliation); (2) Take communion (which means going to Mass); and (3) Pray for the Pope's "intentions." ("Intentions" mean prayer requests that have not been specifically identified by the person who wants prayer for them.) Indulgenced prayers and indulgenced pious practices are listed in The Enchiridion of Indulgences, which is published by the Vatican.

INDULGENCES. According to Catholic doctrine, when God forgives sins, He may still require that the sinner pay for his or her sins by suffering. When good Catholics die, if they are not saintly enough to go directly to Heaven, then they have to spend time suffering in Purgatory, in order to atone for their sins. However, the suffering of the souls in Purgatory can be shortened by means of indulgences. According to the Catholic Church, there is a "treasury" of merits that have been won by Christ and the saints. The Catholic Church claims that it is able to draw from this "treasury," in order to remit the temporal punishments that are required for sins that have already been forgiven by God. This is done by means of indulgences, which the Catholic Church gives to people who do certain good works. In modern times, earning indulgences is done primarily by means of praying indulgenced prayers (such as the rosary), or participating in indulgenced pious practices (such as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament). During the Middle Ages, indulgences were sold for money. Indulgences can be applied to the person earning them, or to loved ones who are in Purgatory.

INFALLIBILITY. According to Catholic doctrine, God protects the Pope from making errors whenever he teaches the Catholic Church in matters of faith or morals. In order to speak infallibly, the Pope must speak ex cathedra (with the weight of his apostolic authority, as opposed to speaking as a private theologian.) However, according to Canon Law, Catholics are required to submit their minds and wills to any declaration concerning faith or morals that is made by the Pope. They are also required to avoid anything that disagrees with such declarations, and they can be coerced if they don't comply. In other words, they must respond as if the statement is infallible, whether or not the Pope has spoken ex cathedra. This gives the Catholic Church the power over people that comes from infallibility, without requiring the accountability that is associated with infallibility. If one infallible papal pronouncement contradicts another infallible papal pronouncement, then the theologians and apologists can attempt to avoid the dilemma by saying that one (or both) of the popes was just speaking as a private theologian. In the meantime, the Catholic people were required to obey both papal pronouncements as if they were infallible.

INFANT OF PRAGUE. A statue of Jesus as an infant. Miracles have been attributed to this statue. It is kept in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where nuns care for it and change its clothing. Pilgrims travel to Prague to venerate this statue. It wears a gold crown set with jewels. It also has over 70 sets of ornate clothes. Replicas of the statue are found in Catholic churches around the world.

INQUISITION. The Office of the Inquisition was established to suppress heresy. Inquisitors sought out "heretics." They tortured the "heretics" to get confessions. They had trials in which the Inquisitors were the judges and the "heretics" had no one to defend them. In addition, the "heretics" were never told what the charges against them were. The Inquisitors passed sentences on the "heretics" and then required the local civil authorities to carry out the sentences. The last execution for heresy was in 1826. However, the Office of the Inquisition still exists. In 1965, its name was changed to The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

INTERDICT. Catholics under interdict are not allowed to have a Christian burial. Most of the sacraments are denied to them. However, dying Catholics are allowed to receive the Last Rites. For centuries, popes used the interdict, and the threat of interdict, to force secular rulers to submit to them.

KISSING THE SACRED PURPLE. In formal correspondence with high-ranking clergy, it used to be proper protocol to say "kissing the Sacred Purple," or "kissing the Sacred Ring." In 1969, the rules were changed and this was no longer required.

LAST RITES (Sacrament of the Sick; Extreme Unction). A sacrament in which a priest anoints the hands and forehead of the sick person, using olive oil that has been blessed by a bishop. The priest says a prayer that is a standard verbal formula. This is traditionally done when Catholics are in danger of dying.

LATIN. (1) The language of ancient Rome. (2) The language of the Roman Catholic Church. Until the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), Mass was said in Latin and the Divine Office was said or sung in Latin. Official Roman Catholic Church documents are still written in Latin, including papal encyclicals and Canon Law. Latin is still the language of the Vatican.

LENT. A 40-day period of prayer and penance before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. During Lent, Catholics are required to fast. The fasting requirements are determined by the local Catholic bishops. Therefore, the rules change from time to time, and they vary from place to place. At present (2003), fasting for American Catholics means abstaining from the meat of birds and land animals on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent. However, eating fish is allowed. During the Middle Ages, Catholics were not allowed to eat meat or drink wine during the entire 40 days of Lent. In some countries, they were not allowed to eat any animal products at all, including butter, milk, eggs, and cheese.

LIMBO. According to the Catholic Church, if a baby is not baptized, then he or she cannot go to Heaven, because of original sin (sin inherited from Adam). However, because the baby has not actually committed any sins, he or she does not go to Hell. Therefore, unbaptized babies go to Limbo. This is a place of happiness, but it does not have the joy of Heaven.

LITANY. A structured form of prayer that includes petitions and responses. Litanies to Mary address her by a series of titles, including the following: Queen of Heaven, Star of the Sea, Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Ark of the Covenant, Mother of God, Mother of our Creator, Mother of the Church, Mirror of Justice, Gate of Heaven, Morning Star, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Queen of Angels, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of Peace, and Comforter of the Afflicted.

LITURGY. Official public worship, such as the Mass, or public recitation of the Divine Office.

MASS. According to Catholic doctrine, the sacrament of the Mass is a propitiatory sacrifice, in which Jesus Christ is sacrificed on the altar, in order to appease God. When Jesus was on the cross, He said: "It is finished." The doctrine that Jesus has to be sacrificed over and over says that it is not finished.

MEATLESS DAYS. Days on which Catholics are required to abstain from meat. The fasting requirements for meatless days are determined by the local bishops. At present (2003), American Catholics are not allowed to eat the flesh of birds or land animals on meatless days. However, they are allowed to eat fish.

MEDAL. A metal disk with a religious image on it (Jesus, Mary, saints, popes, shrines, etc.) Sometimes medals have prayers inscribed on them. Medals are sacramentals. Some of them are indulgenced (Catholics are given indulgences if they wear them).

MENTAL RESERVATION. Using words that have a generally recognized meaning, but mentally limiting their meaning while speaking them. The result is that the listeners understand the words to mean something different than the meaning intended by the speaker. In other words, the speaker says something that can be said to be technically correct, but the intent is to have it be misunderstood.

MERIT. According to Catholic doctrine, if a man or woman does good works while in a state of grace, then he or she is entitled to receive a reward from God. There are conditions that must be met in order to merit a reward. The work must be morally good. It must be done freely, without coercion. It must be supernaturally motivated and accompanied by grace.

MERITORIOUS WORKS. Good works that merit a reward from God.

MERITS OF THE SAINTS. According to the Catholic Church, there is a "treasury" of merits that have been won by Christ and the saints. This "treasury" is the basis for the practice of indulgences. The Catholic Church says that it is able to draw from this "treasury," in order to give indulgences to Catholics who meet certain specified requirements.

MIRACULOUS MEDAL (Medal of the Immaculate Conception). According to tradition, Saint Catherine Laboure had an apparition of Mary in 1830. Mary carried a medal with a picture of herself on it. The medal had an inscription that said: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Mary showed Saint Catherine both sides of the medal and instructed her to have medals made according to the design shown to her. The medal became known as the Miraculous Medal, because some people who wore it attributed miracles to it.

MITER. A tall clerical hat worn by bishops, cardinals, abbots, and popes.

MONASTERY. A community of monks who are governed by a superior. The term applies primarily to religious who live a contemplative life and recite or sing the Divine Office together. Convents of contemplative nuns are sometimes referred to as monasteries. Monasteries are known for asceticism, self-denial, and seclusion from the world. (See "Religious.")

MONK. A member of a religious community of men. The most strict use of the term means men who have taken solemn perpetual vows (vows until death). The broad sense of the term includes new monks (novices) and monks who have made temporary vows.

MONSTRANCE. An ornate container for displaying a consecrated Host (a large communion wafer). It is used during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction, and in processions. It looks like a sunburst on top of a pedestal. The monstrance is gold or gold-plated. A large, round, consecrated Host goes into a round compartment in the center of the sunburst. It is covered by a glass door. This protects the Host, while at the same time enabling people to see it. The shiny gold and the sunburst pattern make it look as if rays of light are coming out of the Host. The sunburst pattern is traditional, but some monstrances use other decorative patterns.

MORTAL SIN. According to Catholic doctrine, sins are categorized as being mortal or venial. Mortal sins are the most serious. They are said to destroy the supernatural life of the soul, resulting in spiritual death. When a person is baptized, his or her soul receives spiritual life. If the person commits a mortal sin, the result is spiritual death. Confession (the sacrament of penance) restores spiritual life to the soul when the sin is absolved by a priest. Another mortal sin would cause spiritual death. Having the sin be absolved by a priest during the sacrament of penance would restore spiritual life to the soul. This cycle can continue indefinitely. A person who commits a mortal sin, and dies before having it be absolved, goes to Hell. Some examples of mortal sins are: murder, rape, adultery, and missing Mass on Sunday.

MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST. The Church militant (the Roman Catholic Church on earth), the Church suffering (the souls in Purgatory), and the Church triumphant (the saints in Heaven).

NOVENA. Nine consecutive days of prayer for a special request from Jesus, Mary, or a saint. It can be nine days in a row, the same day of the week for nine consecutive weeks, the first Friday or first Saturday of nine consecutive months, etc. There are many standard novena prayers. They can be prayed publicly or privately. Some people use novena candles when praying novena prayers for nine days in a row.

NOVENA CANDLES. Large candles that are burned while praying novena prayers. Traditional novena candles burn for nine days, but some novena candles don't burn that long. Novena candles are inside glass containers. The containers often have a picture of Mary or a saint on one side and a written prayer on the opposite side.

NOVICE. The term comes from novicius, a Latin word that means "new." In religious life, a novice is a new monk or a new nun. If a novice has been accepted into a religious order, and has been given a religious habit, then he or she is a monk or a nun in the broad sense of the term. Novices undergo training and "spiritual formation" in preparation for making vows. Before making solemn perpetual vows (vows until death), they make temporary vows.

NUN. A member of a religious community of women, living under the authority of a superior. The most strict use of the term means women who live a cloistered, contemplative life, and have taken solemn perpetual vows (vows until death). The broad sense of the term includes new nuns (novices), and nuns who have made temporary vows.

OFFICE OF THE INQUISITION (Holy Office). An office in the Vatican. It is responsible for repressing heresy. Presently, this is done by means of written statements and by disciplining Catholic clergy whose teachings are heretical. In the past, repressing heresy was done by means of torture, imprisonment, and death. In 1965, the Office of the Inquisition changed its name to The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

OIL OF CATECHUMENS. A special kind of holy oil that is used in the sacrament of baptism. It is a sacramental.

OIL OF THE SICK. A special kind of holy oil that is used in the sacrament of the anointing of the sick (extreme unction). The oil is a sacramental.

ORDINATION. The sacrament of holy orders. Deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained.

ORIGINAL SIN. The sin that the human race inherited as a result of Adam's sin. According to Catholic doctrine, babies have original sin. However, the Virgin Mary did not.

OUR FATHER (Pater Noster). The Lord's Prayer.

OUR LADY OF. (1) An apparition of the Virgin Mary. For example, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe. (2) An attribute or title of Mary. For example, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Good Counsel.

PALM SUNDAY. The Sunday before Easter. During Mass, blessed palms are given to the people to commemorate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the crowds waved palm branches to honor Him. It is traditional for people to take the palms home and keep them. The priests keep some of the palms. The next year, the palms are burned to provide the ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday (the day when Lent begins).

PAPAL BULL. A papal encyclical dealing with important subject matter. The term "bull" comes from a special seal (bulla) that is put on the encyclical, because of its importance.

PAPAL THRONE. The Pope is a sovereign monarch in the Vatican. He sits on an ornate throne. The Pope also has a portable throne (sedia gestatoria), which is carried on the shoulders of uniformed footmen. This is used in solemn processions.

PASCHAL CANDLE. A large candle containing five grains of incense that represent the five wounds of Christ. It is blessed on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter). It is used in the liturgical blessing of baptismal water. During the Paschal season, it is kept in the sanctuary and lit during Mass. (Paschal season is the period of time from the Saturday before Easter to the Saturday following Pentecost.)

PATEN. The paten is similar to a saucer and it is used to cover the chalice. It is consecrated by a bishop or his delegate, using chrism.

PATRON SAINT. A saint who is invoked by a particular group of people. There are patron saints for countries, states of life, and specific circumstances. For example, Saint Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters; Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers; and Saint Jude is the patron saint of people whose circumstances seem to be hopeless.

PENANCE. (1) The sacrament of penance (confession; the sacrament of reconciliation). (2) Voluntary suffering to atone for sins.

PENITENT. (1) A person who seeks absolution for sins from a Catholic priest during the sacrament of penance (confession). (2) A person who repents for sins and does something to expiate guilt. Penitents may subject themselves to voluntary suffering now, in order to avoid having to suffer in Purgatory later.

PERPETUAL ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. Continual adoration of a large, consecrated Host that is displayed in a monstrance. People take turns, so that somebody is always in the chapel or church, worshiping the Host. The Catholic Church grants indulgences for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

PERPETUAL VOW. A solemn vow that is binding until the death of the person who made the vow.

PILGRIMAGE. A journey to a place that is considered to be sacred. Pilgrimages are often made to the Holy Land, the Vatican, famous shrines, and sites where there have been apparitions.

POCKET ROSARY. A small rosary that people can keep in their pocket and use with only one hand. It is circular, consisting of one decade, a medal of Mary, and a crucifix. People can count the rosary beads using just one hand. When they feel the medal or the crucifix, then they know that they have completed the decade.

POSTULANT. A man or woman who is taking the first steps towards becoming a monk or a nun. Postulants have not yet been accepted as members of a religious community.

PRIEST. Priests are ordained by bishops. According to Catholic doctrine, a Catholic priest is a mediator between the people and God, and he offers true sacrifices to God.

PROPITIATION. (1) To appease a person who has been offended by wrongdoing. (2) To atone for sin. (3) To appease God, who has been offended by our sins.

PROPITIATORY. Something that propitiates. According to Catholic doctrine, the Mass is a propitiatory sacrifice. It appeases God and atones for the sins of the people.

PURGATORY. According to Catholic doctrine, when God forgives sins, He may still require that the sinner pay for his or her sins by suffering. When good Catholics die, if they are not saintly enough to go directly to Heaven, then they have to spend time in Purgatory, where they atone for their sins by suffering. After they have been sufficiently purified, then they can go to Heaven. However, the suffering of the souls in Purgatory can be shortened by means of good works done on their behalf, such as earning indulgences for them, or having priests say masses for them. In modern times, earning indulgences is done primarily by praying indulgenced prayers, or engaging in indulgenced pious practices. During the Middle Ages, indulgences were sold for money.

RECONCILIATION (Confession; Sacrament of Penance). A sacrament during which Catholic priests absolve Catholics of their sins. According to Catholic doctrine, people who commit mortal sins after they are baptized are required to confess their sins to a qualified priest in order to receive absolution from their sins.

RELICS. Relics are an attempt to make physical contact with saints. A first-class relic is part of a saint's body. A second-class relic is something worn by a saint or used by a saint. A third-class relic is any other kind of object that is related to a saint. It can be a piece of cloth that has touched a saint's bone. When an altar is consecrated, a relic of a martyr is placed in the altar stone.

RELIGIOUS. A monk (brother), or nun (sister), who is a member of a religious order.

RELIQUARY. A special container for holding relics. They can be ornate and expensive.

REMISSION OF SIN. Having a sin be absolved; forgiveness of sin.

REPARATION FOR SIN. Atonement for sin. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He paid for our sins.

ROMAN CURIA. A group of men in the Vatican who assist the Pope in directing the operations of the Catholic Church.

ROME. (1) A city in Italy. (2) The Vatican (which is located in the city of Rome). (3) The Roman Catholic Church (which is governed by the Vatican, which is located in Rome).

ROSARY. (1) Traditional prayers that are said in honor of the Virgin Mary. (2) A string of beads that is used to keep track of the prayers. There are five sets of decades. Each decade consists of one bead that is separated from a group of ten beads. The "Our Father" (Lord's Prayer) is said on the single beads. The "Hail Mary" is said on each bead in the groups of ten beads. (There are ten prayers to Mary for every one prayer to God.) The five decades are joined together to form a circle. A medal of Mary connects a short string of beads to the circle of five decades of beads. At the end of the short string of beads is a crucifix. The Catholic Church gives indulgences to people who pray the rosary. Some people hang rosaries from their car mirrors, or wear them like a necklace (under their clothes, where the rosary doesn't show). Some people claim that the rosary is powerful for protection from demons.

ROSARY BRACELET. A small, one-decade rosary that can be worn like a bracelet. It is a circle of beads with a crucifix attached to it.

ROSARY NOVENA. Using the rosary as a novena prayer. This means praying the full rosary on nine consecutive occasions.

ROSARY PROMISES. An apparition of "Mary" at Fatima, Portugal, gave 15 promises to people who recite the rosary. She said that they will not die without receiving the sacraments; that they will share in the merits of the saints at the moment of their death; and if they go to Purgatory, then Mary will get them out. The apparitions of "Mary" at Fatima have been officially approved by the Roman Catholic Church. This means that the Rosary Promises do not conflict with Catholic doctrine. The Catholic Church gives indulgences to Catholics who pray the rosary.

SABBATINE PRIVILEGE. According to tradition, an apparition of Mary promised to get people out of Purgatory on the Saturday after their death, if they fulfilled certain conditions during their lifetime. These include wearing the Brown Scapular and reciting the rosary.

SACRAMENT. Sacraments are rituals that use objects and actions to confer spiritual benefits. Objects include bread, wine, oil, chrism, water, and incense. Actions include the sign of the cross, gestures made by the priest, and precise verbal formulas. The Catholic Church has seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist (Mass), penance (confession, or sacrament of reconciliation), holy orders (ordination), matrimony (marriage), and anointing of the sick (extreme unction, or the last rites). According to the Catholic Church, the effectiveness of the sacraments is due to the rituals that are performed.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (Confession; Sacrament of Penance). During this sacrament, Catholic priests absolve Catholics from their sins. If people commit mortal sins after they are baptized, then they are required to confess their sins to a qualified priest in order to receive absolution from their sins.

SACRAMENTALS. Religious objects or actions that have the official approval of the Catholic Church. They include things such as holy water, medals, and scapulars. They include pious practices, such as praying rosaries, reciting litanies, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Sacramentals are similar to sacraments, because they use physical objects and physical actions in order to confer spiritual benefits. However, their effectiveness depends on the influence of the prayers of the participants. According to Catholic teaching, people who use sacramentals benefit from the merits and prayers of the "Mystical Body of Christ."

SACRED HEART OF JESUS. Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was promoted by several mystics. A picture associated with this devotion portrays Jesus with His chest open, His heart exposed, flames above His heart, and light coming out of His heart. It is traditional to honor and venerate this picture.

SACRED HEART PROMISES. According to tradition, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. He gave her 12 promises for people who are devoted to His Sacred Heart. They include promises for people who observe the "Devotion of First Fridays" (receiving Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months). "Jesus" said that these people will not die without receiving the sacraments; they will not be displeasing to Jesus when they die; and the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be their refuge.

SAINT. In the New Testament, the term "saint" applies to all Christians. The Catholic Church has restricted the use of the word to mean canonized saints and people who have traditionally been recognized as saints. The Catholic Church encourages people to publicly pray to saints, to publicly honor them, and to publicly invoke their assistance.

SAINT ANNE'S OIL. According to tradition, Saint Anne is the mother of the Virgin Mary. In Canada, there is a shrine in honor of Saint Anne. Healings are attributed to oil from this shrine. Bottles of Saint Anne's oil can be purchased.

SAINT BENEDICT MEDAL. The Catholic Church gives indulgences to Catholics who wear this medal. It has a picture of Saint Benedict, a cross, and a prayer of exorcism. The medal is said to protect people from evil. Some people put Saint Benedict Medals over their doorways to protect their homes. The Saint Benedict Medal is used for a special blessing that is said to heal people.

SAINT BLAISE BLESSING. On the feast day of Saint Blaise, there is a special blessing of throats. Two candles are consecrated by a prayer. A priest holds the candles in a crossed position, touches the throats of the people with them, and repeats a written prayer. In some places, it is traditional for the priest to only use one candle instead of two crossed candles. He touches the wick of a small candle with consecrated oil, and then uses the wick of the candle to touch the throats of the people.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER MEDAL. According to tradition, Saint Christopher was a large young man who carried people across a dangerous river. One day he carried a child across the river. It turned out to be Jesus Christ in the form of a child. Saint Christopher is the patron saint for travelers. His medal is very popular.

SAINT PETER'S BASILICA. A special church adjoining the Pope's palace. It is famous for its architecture and art work.

SAINT MICHAEL'S CHAPLET. According to tradition, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to Antonia d'Astonac. He told her that he wanted to be honored by nine salutations, one for each of the nine angelic choirs of angels. He promised that any person who honored him with the daily recital of these nine salutations would receive his help, and the help of all of the heavenly angels, during his or her lifetime, and would be delivered from Purgatory after death. In addition, his or her relatives would also be delivered from Purgatory.

SCAPULAR. (1) Part of the habit of a monk or nun. (2) Two small pieces of cloth that are joined by strings. They are worn around the neck, under the clothing. Two of the most popular scapulars are the Brown Scapular and the Green Scapular.

SEDIA GESTATORIA. A portable throne used by the Pope. It is a richly adorned chair that is covered with silk. Long rods go through gold-covered rings. The throne is carried by twelve uniformed footmen. When the Pope celebrates solemn pontifical Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica, he arrives in state, preceded by a procession of cardinals, bishops, and prelates. The Pope is carried on the sedia gestatoria, with a canopy over him and special fans made of white feathers on either side of him.

SEVEN SACRAMENTS. The Catholic Church officially recognizes seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist (the Mass), penance (confession, or sacrament of reconciliation), holy orders (ordination), matrimony (marriage), and anointing of the sick (extreme unction, or the last rites).

SIGN OF THE CROSS. Tracing the pattern of a cross. People can make the sign of the cross over themselves, by having their hand go to the forehead, then to the breast, then to the left and right shoulders. It is traditional to make the sign of the cross, using holy water, when entering a Catholic Church. Before praying the rosary, it is traditional to kiss the crucifix of the rosary and make the sign of the cross while holding the crucifix. During Benediction, priests make the sign of the cross with a monstrance that contains a consecrated Host. Priests can also make the sign of the cross with a censer (a vessel that contains burning incense).

SISTINE CHAPEL. This is the Pope's private chapel, but it is as large as a church. The altar is inlaid with mother of pearl. Only the Pope is allowed to use it. The chapel is filled with paintings by famous artists. When a new Pope is to be elected, the cardinals are kept enclosed in the Sistine Chapel until the Pope is chosen.

STATE OF GRACE. If a person is free from mortal sin, then he or she is said to be in a state of grace. According to Catholic doctrine, in order for people to go to Heaven, they must be in a state of grace when they die. In order to perform meritorious works, they must be in a state of grace when they perform them.

STIGMATA. Bleeding, painful wounds that occur in the places where Jesus Christ was wounded during the crucifixion. The wounds usually occur in the hands, feet and side. They can also occur in the back (where Jesus was whipped) or the head (where He was wounded by the crown of thorns). Saint Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio are well known stigmatics (people who had the stigmata). There have been more than 300 cases of stigmatization, including more than 60 canonized saints.

TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT. According to Catholic doctrine, when God forgives sins He may still require that the sinner atone for his or her sins by suffering, either here on earth or else in Purgatory. If we have to pay for our own sins by suffering, then the death of Jesus Christ was not sufficient to pay for them. This Catholic doctrine denies the sufficiency of the death of Jesus. It also negates the statement of Jesus on the cross, when He said: "It is finished."

TIARA. The Pope's crown. It is made of gold and covered with precious jewels.

TRADITION. According to Catholic doctrine, tradition is divine revelation that was not written in the Bible. It has been passed down through the Catholic Church. Tradition and Scripture are said to be equally authoritative. However, in the real world, that is not possible. When Catholic tradition and the Bible are not in agreement, then one of them has to be used to judge the validity of the other. For example, the Bible says that Jesus had brothers and sisters. This conflicts with the doctrine that Mary remained a virgin throughout her lifetime. Protestants rely on the Bible first, so they say that Mary must have had normal sexual relations with Joseph after Jesus was born. Catholics rely on tradition first, so they say that the brothers and sisters must have been cousins instead of real brothers and sisters. (The New Testament was written in Greek, which has different words for "brothers" and "cousins." The Greek word used for these people means "brothers.")

VATICAN. (1) The Pope's palace, Saint Peter's Basilica, and the administrative offices of the Catholic Church. (2) The power structure of the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY. Territory in Rome that is under the jurisdiction of the Pope. The Pope is its ruling monarch. Its government is based on Catholic Canon Law. It is a state that enjoys all of the privileges of a sovereign nation. It has diplomatic relations with other nations and makes treaties (concordats) with them. It has representatives at the United Nations and the European Union. Cardinals are citizens of Vatican City, in addition to being citizens of their own countries.

VENERATION. Special honor given to Mary and the saints. It can take many forms, including the following: (1) Publicly praying to Mary and the saints, and invoking their assistance. (This can be accompanied by kneeling in front of statues, or placing lit votive candles in front of statues.) (2) Carrying statues of Mary or saints in solemn processions. (3) The liturgical crowning of statues of Mary. (4) Having pictures of Mary or saints. (5) Wearing medals or scapulars associated with Mary or saints. (6) Praying novenas, litanies, rosaries, and chaplets that honor Mary or saints. (7) Doing things requested by apparitions of "Mary."

VENERATION OF IMAGES. Reverence given to images of Jesus, Mary, and the saints. Canon Law requires Catholic Churches to have sacred images, such as crucifixes, statues, paintings, and mosaics. Catholics are supposed to venerate these images. They are also encouraged to have sacred images in their homes. Images for personal use include statues, pictures, medals, crucifixes, jewelry, scapulars that have pictures on them, and rosaries. (A rosary has a crucifix and a medal of Mary.)

VENIAL SIN. A sin that is not serious enough to be a mortal sin.

VESTMENTS. Special garments worn by Catholic clergy when saying Mass or participating in other public religious functions.

VICTIM SOUL. A person who willingly endures suffering in order to atone for the sins of other people. Some apparitions of "Mary" have asked people to be victim souls.

VOTIVE CANDLES. Candles that are burned before a statue or a shrine in order to honor Jesus, Mary, or a saint. It is traditional to light candles when praying to Mary and the saints. After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), there was less emphasis on votive candles.

VOTIVE OFFERING. An offering associated with prayers for something, or given in gratitude for prayers that have been answered. Common forms of votive offerings are votive candles and newspaper advertisements. It is traditional for people to pay to put an advertisement in a Catholic newspaper, publicly thanking a saint for "favors granted."

WORDS OF ABSOLUTION. A verbal formula that is used by a Catholic priest to absolve the sins of a Catholic during the sacrament of penance (confession).

YOUR EMINENCE. The correct form of address that Catholics are supposed to use when writing to, or speaking with, a cardinal.

YOUR EXCELLENCY. The correct form of address for a bishop. In Canada and the United States, it is also used for archbishops.

YOUR GRACE. In Australia and the United Kingdom, this is the correct form of address for an archbishop. In Canada and the United States, an archbishop is addressed as "Your Excellency."

YOUR HOLINESS. The correct form of address when writing to, or speaking with, the Pope. Proper protocol also requires Catholics to refer to the Pope as "His Holiness" in formal correspondence that refers to him.

Copyright 2003, 2007 by Mary Ann Collins. All rights reserved.
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