From Aspergillum to Zucchetto: A Glossary of 13 Obscure Catholic Words

[rug]

by Kathy Schiffer
12/28/2015

How's your Catholic IQ? If you're a cradle Catholic and “Et cum spiritu tuo” slides easily off your tongue, you may still find yourself challenged by some of these uniquely Catholic words. A score of 1 to 5 = postulant; 6 to 10 = novice; 11 or higher = professional Catholic.

Aspergillum. If you've attended the Easter Vigil, you remember that the priest walked down the aisle, sprinkling everyone with holy water. He held a type of sprinkler, probably a metallic rod with a round tip, waving it over the heads of worshippers and spraying water. That, my friends, was an aspergillum. The same vessel is used other times, as well: to bless the palm fronds on Palm Sunday, and to bless candles on Candlemas. The priest may also use an aspergillum at a baptism or for other ceremonial purposes, such as blessing the entrance of a house during a house blessing.

Basilica. A church building noted for its antiquity, dignity, and historical value, and which has a significant architectural or artistic worth or significance, may be granted the status of “basilica.” In the United States, there are 69 churches which have been honored as basilicas; and worldwide, there are nearly 1,600. Unique to a basilica are two symbols: the conopaeum (See? Another new word!), a silk canopy that looks like an umbrella with yellow and red stripes, traditional papal colors; and the tintinnabulum, a bell that is mounted on a pole and carried in processions. A basilica is also permitted to carry crossed keys, a symbol of the papacy, on banners and furnishings.

Curia. Curious about the Roman Curia? In the Catholic Church, it's the Pope, of course, who has the last word. Helping him with governance of the worldwide Church, however, is the Roman Curia—consisting of the Vatican's Secretariat of State, as well as the Curial Congregations, Pontifical Councils and Pontifical Commissions, the tribunals and other administrative offices.

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/kschiffer/from-aspergillum-to-zucchetto-a-glossary-of-13-obscure-catholic-words

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

1. When I was in high school

My Latin teacher, Father Juergens, habitually wore a black zucchetto.

[rug]

2. The Dominican nuns who taught me habitually wore white.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. White zucchettos?

You know, the little yarmulkes typically worn by bishops, cardinals and the pope.

[rug]

4. It was a joke,. Their habits, scapular and all, are white.