Here is a list of liturgical terms associated with the Catholic Mass or Eucharist.
Ambo -- the English equivalent of a Greek word referring to the stand from which the presider
or lector reads from Sacred Scripture during the Mass. Sometimes commonly referred to as
the "pulpit".
Assembly --the People of God, assembled for worship (comparable to "congregation").
Celebrant -- the priest or bishop who leads the assembly in worship; also referred to as the
"Presider".
Consecration -- a traditional term which refers to the part of the Eucharistic Prayer when
the presider repeats the Lord's words from the Last Supper ("This is my body ... this is my
blood"); also called the "Institution Narrative."
Deacon -- an ordained man who assists the priest at liturgy and may proclaim the Gospel and
deliver the homily.
Eucharist -- the English equivalent of a Greek word which means "thanksgiving"; it refers to the
sacrament and principle liturgical celebration of Catholic Christians, which is also called the
"Mass".
Eucharistic Minister -- usually a member of the assembly who assists the presider in
distributing the bread and wine.
Holy Communion -- refers to the consecrated bread and wine which Catholics believe become
the body and blood of Christ as a result of the consecration. (Also called the "Blessed
Sacrament" or "Sacred Species".)
Homily -- refers to the interpretation or explanation of Scripture which the presider or deacon
gives during the Liturgy of the Word. Distinguished from a "sermon" which may address
other, often doctrinal, disciplinary or devotional matters.
Lectionary -- the book of Scripture readings used by the lector, deacon and presider to proclaim
the Word of God during the Liturgy of the Word.
Lector -- a member of the assembly who reads the first and second scripture readings during the
Liturgy of the Word.
Liturgy -- the English equivalent of a Greek word which means "public work"; it refers to the
official public worship of the Church. The Liturgy is sometimes referred to as "the work of
the people."
Mass -- a common Catholic term for Eucharist, derived from a Latin expression formerly used
during the dismissal rite: Ita missa est (Go, the Mass is ended).
Real Presence or True Presence -- refers to the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Catholics
believe that Jesus is present in the Word of God, in the person of the presiding priest, in the
assembly of the faithful, and in a special way in the bread and wine which are consecrated
during the Eucharistic Prayer.
Rite -- the combination of official prayers, gestures and ritual actions used in formal liturgical
celebration such as the Mass.
Roman Missal -- the official book of liturgical rites and prayers which the presider uses at
Mass. Also called the "Sacramentary".
Sanctuary -- the part of the church in which the altar, ambo and presider's chair are located,
usually at the front or sometimes the center of the Assembly. (Distinguished from the
common use in non-Catholic churches where sanctuary usually refers to the entire church
proper where the assembly is seated.)
Tabernacle -- the place where the consecrated bread is reserved to be shared later with the sick
and homebound. It may be located behind the altar or in a space adjoining the sanctuary. A
"Sanctuary Lamp" or lit candle, hanging above or on a stand adjacent to the tablernacle,
indicates that the Eucharist is present in the tablenacle.
[Original Post: 02.04.23]