| Altar |
This is always located at the front, it looks like a
decorated table and can be made of stone or wood. The offering of the bread and
wine is made on the altar by the priest during the Mass which makes a key
feature of any Catholic Church. |
| Blessed Sacrament |
The name used to describe the bread and wine after they been
blessed and become the body and blood of Jesus. |
| Catacomb |
Caves and tunnels dug outside Rome where the early Christians
buried their dead and met to worship God and pray together. |
| Chapels |
Many churches have side chapels, like little churches within
the main church. Side chapels are used for small services, often for weekday
Mass or Exposition |
| Congregation |
The people who gather to pray together. Another Latin word
which means to gather together. |
| Eucharist |
The celebration of the community in which the bread and wine
are changed into the body and blood of Christ. |
| Exposition |
A time of prayer in front of the Blessed
Sacrament. |
| Font |
The Font is essential in any church, it is the place where
through baptism people become Christians and members of the Church. In most
churches today you will find it in a very prominent place, usually near the
Sanctuary, but in ancient buildings it used to be placed in a special
Baptistery (A room or building set apart of baptism). Sometimes it is portable
and is moved onto the sanctuary for baptisms |
| Holy Water |
Holy Water is one of the signs of new life, there can be no
life without water. Holy water stoups are usually near the doors of the church
and many people bless themselves with it as they come and go through the
door. |
| Lectern |
Lectern is a odd sort of word, coming from the Latin for
reading. The Lectern is the reading desk in the church, the place from which
the Bible and prayers are read. Proclaiming God's word is an key part of all
church celebrations and so the lectern is normally decorated with a cross or
some other symbols to remind us of the reverence to be given to the scriptures.
Some churches have stone pulpits which serve the same purpose, to make is easy
for the reader to stand and see what they are reading and high enough to be
clearly heard by the congregation. |
| Our Lady |
A title used for Mary, the Mother of Jesus. |
| Paschal Candle |
A new Paschal Candle is blessed each year during the Easter
vigil. It is the Easter candle and a symbol of the new, risen life of Christ
which we all share in. |
| Sanctuary |
If the church were a theatre then the sanctuary would be the
stage. This is the area at the front of the church where everything happens -
the altar is the central focus of attention but there are several other items
which are usually found on the sanctuary. Often the tabernacle is placed close
to the altar, but behind it, but it can be placed in a separate chapel or to
one one side. |
| Sanctuary Light |
This light, either a candle or an oil lamp, is lit as a sign
that Christ is present in the tabernacle. It reminds catholics of the real
presence, of the Blessed Sacrament, which is present in the church. |
| Scripture |
A word sometimes used for the Bible, it means the writings.
|
| Stations of the Cross |
The Stations of the Cross are one of the aids to prayer in a
church, they show the journey of Jesus on his way to his crucifixion. There are
14 Stations which are usually placed around the walls of the church so that
people praying the stations can walk around and make a journey as did Jesus on
his way to Calvary. |
| Tabernacle |
The tabernacle is basically a cupboard, a place where the
Blessed Sacrament is kept securely stored for when Holy Communion is to be
taken to the sick and for prayer. It is given special reverence because it
contains the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. |
| Vestments |
The special clothes worn by the priest and those with roles
in worship. |
| Votive Lights |
Lighting votive candles has been a long tradition among
Christians. It is not the offering or some kind of sacrifice but the flame is a
symbol for our prayers rising to God. They tend to found near the statues in a
church, especially in front of the statues of the
Sacred Heart and of Mary. |