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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INTERSTICES

Periods of time required by Church law between the various grades of sacred orders. Since the abolition of the subdiaconate in the Latin Rite, the main provision is for the three-month interval between the diaconate and the priesthood. This time may be, and generally is, extended, and for exceptional reasons may also be shortened by a bishop. (Etym. Latin inter-, between + stare, to stand: interstitium, interval, interstice; literally, space between.)