Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
PONTIFICALS
The marks of dignity used by cardinals and bishops at Mass and other offices of the Church when celebrating with full solemnity. Abbots may also use pontificals, but only at the Eucharistic liturgy in their monasteries. The common pontificals have included buskins, sandals, gloves, dalmatic, tunicle, ring, pectoral cross, and miter. Among the specific pontificals for certain persons are the crosier, gremial, pallium, and archiepiscopal processional cross.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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