The Catholic faith can be complex and difficult to understand, especially for the new christian who was not raised in a Catholic home. I will attempt here to present useful information in an easy to navigate format, and hope you find the journey into the Catholic faith to be more enjoyable.    

I am happy to answer any questions you have regarding the Catholic faith or christianity in general.  Please submit your questions to: CatholicFAQ@aol.com

Nowadays Catholic churches can vary widely in appearance from a more traditional look to a modern look.  But regardless of the design, the same basic elements can be found in every Catholic church. 

Altar - The Altar is where the priest performs the liturgy of the Eucharist, which is the second part of the mass.  This involves the reinactment of Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper.

Adoration Chapel - Adoration is a special form of silent prayer i nwhich a person meditates on the Glory and Majesty of God as the Supreme Being.  The Adoration Chapel is a special quiet room designed for this type of prayer.   

Baptismal Font 

Choir Area   

Confessionals 

Pews 

Pulpit 

Quiet Room

Sanctuary  

Tabernacle   

Vestibule –

To find the word you are looking for, either scroll down, or use your browser’s ‘Find’ feature to enter the word and do an automatic search. 

Abba – An Aramaic word for Father, used by Jesus (Mark 14:36), and is included in many Catholic hymns

Absolution - When a person confesses their sins to a priest and demonstrates true repentance and readiness to change their ways,  the priest is authorized to grant absolution, or “pardon of sins” after which the person remains in good standing with the church

Abstinence – Abstaining from meat or drink.  This is practiced during certain Church seasons

Adoration - A type of prayer in which a person meditates on God as the supreme being 

Advent – (means “the coming, or arrival”) A Church season beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, celebrating both the Coming of Christ when He was born in Bethlehem, and the Second Coming of Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:7, Acts 3:20, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Corinthians 1:7) which is yet to happen

Alleluia – (means “Praise the Lord”) Used  throughout Revelations (Revelations 19:1,3,4,6) and so is included in many Catholic hymns

Almsgiving – Giving material goods or financial assistance to a needy person.  This is to be done discreetly, and with the spirit of love.  The Catholic church has many ministries offering assistance to the needy throughout the year, but a special focus on almsgiving with the parish community occurs during the season of Lent

Alpha and Omega – The first and the last: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord” (Revelation 1:8)

Altar – A table in the Church where the priest celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist during mass (this is the reinactment of The Last Supper)

Amen -

(more to come!)

(work in progress)

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January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

(Work in progress)