A Catholic Dictionary

  • Amen
    The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.
  • Bulletin
    1. Parish information, read only during the homily.
    2. Catholic air conditioning.
    3. Your receipt for attending Mass.
  • Choir
    A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the congregation to lip-sync.
  • Holy Water
    A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.
  • Hymn
    A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation’s range.
  • Incense
    Holy Smoke!
  • Jesuits
    An order of priests known for their ability to found colleges with good basketball teams.
  • Jonah
    The original “Jaws” story.
  • Justice
    When kids have kids of their own.
  • Kyrie Eleison
    The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize besides gyros and baklava.
  • Magi
    The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.
  • Manger
    1. Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn’t covered by an HMO.
    2. The Bible’s way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.
  • Pew
    A medieval torture device still found in Catholic Churches.
  • Procession
    The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass, consisting of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats.
  • Recessional
    The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass – led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.
  • Recessional Hymn
    The last song at Mass, often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.
  • Relics
    People who have been going to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.
  • Ten Commandments
    The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.
  • Ushers
    The only people in the parish who don’t know the seating capacity of a pew.