Your gift counts double until 5/31: $27,745 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

Dictionary

A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.

Search:

Or browse the dictionary by selecting a letter!
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

PONTIFICAL MASS

Solemn Mass by a pope, cardinal, bishop, or abbot with prescribed ritual. It is celebrated with full ceremonial when said at the throne of a prelate's own cathedral.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

Click here to advertise on CatholicCulture.org
Think with the Catholic Leaders: Subscribe to Catholic Culture Insights Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture
» Year of Faith - Overview & Resources
» Visit the Easter Workshop
» Visit the Ordinary Time Workshop
Click here to advertise on CatholicCulture.org

Recent Catholic Commentary

Making Sense of Society: The Ebook 1 hours ago
An exorcism? No, a blessing. You'd think reporters would know the difference. 4 hours ago
Learning from the sick, and from the death of a child May 17
The case for change in Irish abortion law: based on a framework of falsehood May 17
The Smell of the Sheep May 16

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8