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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ORDO

One of several ritual books, published by the Holy See, for the administration of the sacraments or other liturgical offices. Since the Second Vatican Council a number of these have been issued, containing the revised rites for all the Masses and all the sacraments. An ordo is also an annual calendar containing abbreviated directions for each day's Mass and Divine Office. Every diocese, or group of dioceses, and every religious order or congregation has its own ordo, or at least a supplement to the general ordo for the Latin (or other) Rite in the Church.