Part 19 (2/2)

The Greek word for a rule, standard or level, used ecclesiastically in the following senses: (I) Canon of the Ma.s.s. The central section of the ordinary, or unvarying part, of the Ma.s.s, sometimes called the Prayer of Consecration whereby the priest effects the transubstantiation of the 240 Glossary Bread and Wine. (2) Canon of Scripture. The books of the Old and New Testaments, sanctioned by the Church as the authentic Word of G.o.d. In the Roman Catholic Church this includes also the books of the Apocrypha, called deutero-canonical because they were admitted to the Canon at a later date. (3) The Canonical Hours. The regular Hours (q.v.) of the divine office (q.v.). (4) Canon. A cleric living under a rule, usually attached to the staff of a cathedral (q.v.).

CANTICLE.

A song. The word is applied to scriptural hymns other than the psalms employed in the service of the Church.In the plural, Canticles, it is another name for the Song of Songs attributed to Solomon. The main canticles used in the Church are the Benedidte, or the Song of the Three Children found in the book of Danel; the three Gospel Canticles-Benedictus (Luke I: 68) sung at Lauds, Magnjcat (Luke I: 46) sung at Vespers, and Nunc dimittis (Luke 2: 29) sung at Compline; the Venice, which is Psalm 95, used as a Canticle at Lauds; and the Te Deum, an ancient hymn of praise, purely Christian in origin, sung on occasions of solemn thanksgiving.

CATHEDRAL.

A church designated as the ”seat” (Gk., cathedra) of a bishop, and in which is therefore to be found an episcopal throne.

CATHOLIC.

The Greek term for ”universal”, ”all-inclusive”, and ”complete”-literally, ”according to the whole”. As a matter of faa, almost all Christians claim to belong to the Catholic Church, though the term Catholic must be understood not only as the Church inclusive of all Christians, but also as the Church inclusive of all the fulness of faith, order, and wors.h.i.+p handed down in scripture and tradition. In popular use it designates those Christians in communion with the See or Episcopal Jurisdiction of the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome. But the designation Catholic, in its fullest sense, is also claimed by the Eastern Orthodox and the Anglican Communions.

CENSER.

Also called thurible. A vessel of bra.s.s, gold, or silver, usually hung on chains, for the burning of incense. The acolyte (q.v.) who carries it is termed the Thurifer.

CEREMONY.

Strictly speaking, this term should be distinguished from the (q.v.), for ceremonial is the adornment of a ritual action by such marks of reverence as the carrying of candles, the performance of reverential gestures such as kneeling, genuflection, kissing, etc.

CHALICE.

The golden or silver goblet in which the wine is consecrated at Ma.s.s. The usual form is that of a plain cup, having a stem with a boss at the centre, and a wide, heavy base. Uniform with it is the Paten or plate upon which is laid the Host (q.v.).

CHANCEL.

From the Latin cancellarium-the screen dividing the choir and sanctuary of a church from the nave. Thus it comes to mean that part of the church which lies behind the choir.screen.

CLERGY, CLERGYMAN, CLERIC.

Originally from the Gk. deros, a lot, as in casting lots. Applied to the clergy as those ”drawn” to perform a sacred function. Thus, through the Lat. clericus, we get clear, clever, or, in other words, literate. The terms date from a time when the only literate persons-clerks-were either in holy or religious orders.

COLLECT.

Lat., oratio. The ”prayer of the day” used at Ma.s.s, before the Lesson (q.v.), and at each of the Canonical Hours (q.v.). The collect changes with the feast or the season, is usually quite brief, and is always intro. duced with the formula: Dominus vobisc.u.m (The Lord be with you), to which is answered, Et c.u.m spiritu tuo (And with thy -spirit), and then Oremus (Let us pray).

COMMON.

A section of the proper or variable part of both Ma.s.s and Office used upon feasts of the saints when either the particular feast or the particular saint has no specific proper a.s.signed. On such occasions one uses the Common (or ”all.purpose”) propers provided for Martyrs, Doctors, Virgins, etc., as the case may be.

coMMTJNIO That part of the proper or variable section of the Ma.s.s which is sung at the time of Communion (q.v.).

242 Glossary COMMUNION (I) The reception of the Body and Blood of Christ under the forms of Bread and Wine. Communion is normally received by the faithful at Ma.s.s, and always by the celebrating priest. It may also be received outside Ma.s.s, as when the priest takes it to the bed of one sick or dying. (2) A group of Christians in Communion with one another, who, by reason of unanimity in matters of faith and order, will celebrate Ma.s.s and receive Communion together. Those outside such a Communion are, from its standpoint, excommunicate. (3) Communion of Saints. The koirionia or fellows.h.i.+p of all members of the Body of Christ, of all realizing him as their Had or real Self.

COMPLINE.

v. Hours.

COPE.

v. Vesture.

CREED.

Lat., Credo, a summary of the articles of faith. The Catholic Church has three Creeds: (r) The Nicene~Constantinopolitan, dating from the fourth century, which is sung at Ma.s.s after the Gospel for the day. (2) The Apostles' Creed, of uncertain but early date, in general a shorter form of the Nicene. Recited in the divine Office (q.v.). (3) The soycalled Athanasian Creed or Quic.u.mque volt, from the first words, ”Whosoever would be saved”, dating from the ninth century, and recited on certain occasions at Matins.

D.

DEACON.

From the Greek diakono, to minister or serve. Deacons occupy the third rank of the Holy Orders (v. Chap. VI) and their traditional function is to a.s.sist the priest at Ma.s.s and in other sacraments, to sing the Gospel at Ma.s.s, and to have care of the sick and needy of the Church.

E.

ELEVATION.

The ceremonial climax of the Ma.s.s, when, immediately after the cone. cration of the sacred dements, the priest genuflects and elevates first the Host (q.v.) and then the Chalice (q.v.) in the sight of the people. This act is accompanied by the solemn ringing of bells, at the altar and in the church tower, and with the offering of incense.

Glossary 243 EMBER DAY The Ember Days occur four times a year, being set aside as special days for the ordination of priests and deacons, and for the prayers of the people for the clergy.

EPISTLE.

(I) The books of the New Testament which are the epistles or letters of the Apostles, such as St. Paul, St. John, and St. James, to the early congregations of the Church. (2) The portion of such an Epistle read at Ma.s.s, by the Subdeacon, immediately after the Colley (q.v.) and before the Gradual (q.v.).

EXORCISM.

The casting out of devils from a person, church or house, or from any object intended for holy use.

F.

FONT.

Lat., funs, fountain. The receptacle for the baptismal waters, usually a large stone bowl mounted upon a pedestal and placed by the West door of the church. Sometimes a sunken bath or stone.lined pool.

G.

GLORIA.

(I) The hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory be to G.o.d on high) sung at Ma.s.s immediately after the Kyrie (q.v.). (2) The doxology (ascription of glory) Gloria Patri sung at the end of each psalm in the divine office (q.v.). ”Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, unto all the ages of ages. Amen.”

GOSPEL.

The G.o.d (good) spell (tidings), or ev' (good) angel (message), const.i.tuted by the life and teaching of the Christ, and recorded in the Four G=ospels. More particularly, the portion of the Gospel solemnly sung by the Deacon at Ma.s.s.

GRADUAL.

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