Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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TRACT

A brief treatise, commonly as a leaflet or pamphlet, on some religious subject. The term is more common in Protestant than Catholic circles. Also, in the Tridentine Mass the verse or verses recited after the Gradual and replacing the Alleluia on days of sorrow or penance, as in ferial Masses in Lent. In the revised liturgy a tract is a psalm with a responsory. (Etym. Latin tractatus, a discussion, treatise; from tractare, to pull violently, discuss.)