Catholic Jargon

Hello faithful readers. Thanks for the several compliments -- but really, you should hold back any praise until you get to know us better. Dig in to this week's topic now, and respond critically, for cryin' out loud.

-0-

Journey with us now into the amazing world of jargon, or dialect. Doctors have their own language. Journalists do as well. And who else? Catholics. Catholic jargon is a veritable unmined treasure trove.

Adoration: We're used to hearing that word or a form of it connected to Elvis or the Beatles. "I just adore Elvis." "Oh, the Fab Four, I just adore them." One I just recently heard is, "I just adore my grandchildren."

But you'll hear Catholics say, "I saw you during Adoration last Friday." The full phrase is, "Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament." It's a situation in which the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is exposed in a monstrance to inspire and focus prayer time.

It means Christ is right there, in the room. Palpable. Visible. Adorable.

An unbeliever might see a wheat wafer in a fancy golden frame, (monstrance) protected by a glass lens, positioned on the altar or the tabernacle, in the sanctuary. I see Jesus. Visual aids are important to me.

(I realize I just lapsed into Catholic Jargon in trying to explain Catholic Jargon. The tabernacle is the lockable box in which consecrated hosts are protected for future use at Mass or for the sick and homebound. The sanctuary is the area of the church interior which contains the altar and upon which the priest celebrates the Eucharistic sacrifice.)

This is hopeless. Catholic Jargon can only be explained by more Catholic Jargon. So read on, patient readers, and I'll try some more.

Reconciliation: A secular use of this word would have to do with your checkbook. You use your computer or calculator to "reconcile" your bank account.

However, to a Catholic, reconciliation is a synonym for "confession." Reconciliation is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, the occasion in which we admit our shortcomings to the Lord through the priest, who listens and forgives in the person of Christ.

We occasionally "reconcile" our behavior, vowing to get back on the right track and do the right thing in the future.

Ordinary: In the 1960's, Volkswagens were "ordinary" cars, meaning common, or even mundane. How was the food at that new restaurant? "Ordinary."

For Catholics, an "ordinary" is an official of the church whose power is original; he is not a deputy. Hence, when lay persons are mandated to serve in some certain liturgical capacities, they are "extraordinary" ministers.

There is also "ordinary time." Much of the liturgical year is marked off in that category. There are the seasons of Lent and Easter and Christmas and so on, but other times are "ordinary."

Again, it doesn't mean "common" time. It means that time is "orderly" or "ordered," or even "regulated."

Also, the "ordinary" is a book containing the form for divine service.

Novice: We think of a "novice" as someone new to a vocation. This could be a cowboy riding his first time in a rodeo. A tennis player in his first professional match.

The Catholic meaning: A person on probation in a religious order, before taking final vows. It could also be a recent convert.

Religious: We usually think of this as someone who is hyperactive in church business, or prayer, or worship. As in, "She is very religious."

Catholics pray for "our pope, bishops, priests, deacons and religious." In this way, Catholics use "religious" to mean members of a monastery or other order. A nun would be one of the religious.

See? Just the opposite of what you might think. We've only just scratched the surface of Catholic Jargon. Submit your own? You know the drill.

The Blue Church

Some weeks ago, The 18th St. News invited readers to submit their experiences upon joining the Catholic Church, specifically St. Peter in Greeley. The following comes from our friend Julie Meeks:

When I was five years old I chose to go to Mass and stayed active through high school. I later became engaged to a man who said he believed in God -- but as soon as we were married he announced he was an atheist. So I dabbled in more ''acceptable'' modes of worship.

Now having been divorced for almost ten years, I once again have the freedom to be my best in all things, including worship.

A few years ago I had a waking dream of a blue pillar at my back and a message to find the "Blue Church." I asked the Mormons if they were the Blue Church and they laughed, telling me that I needed to find the correct foundation of Christ.

A year after that, I recall having an argument with a co-worker. She tried to convince me to come home to the Catholic Church. I told her to mind her own business.

But the blue pillar would not stop calling to me. I remembered her priest had a funny name so I secretly found out where my co-worker went to church and went to speak to that priest.

He told me Catholics are the Blue Church because Mother Mary is a pillar of the church and often reveals herself in the color blue.

In fact, he told me, there is a group of people called the Blue Army who serve with the love of Mary. I agreed to attend adult classes to refresh myself on Church doctrine.

My journey to St. Peter was God- driven; I stay to find myself in the family of God. I have met five people who have, in their own way, allowed me to paint my own portrait of my relationship with Jesus.

I am allowed to worship with freedom, without shame. Mass is a prayer which is one form of worship. And that form takes on a reality and sincerity that I could not find by dabbling in more ''acceptable'' venues.

And, I have been given the miracle of healing in both body and heart, the fruits of true worship. For me, the true venue of worship takes place in the Mass rather than out in the field of tent services offered to me in the past.

But with any form of worship, it takes humility to accept God's hand. I had to be humble to finally listen to my friend and show the courage to ask for help.

-0-

Word of the Week: Balderdash. It's a slang word from way back in the 16th Century. It means nonsense, senseless talk or writing. It could also be a senseless mixture of liquors, as of milk and beer. Ugh.

Next week's word: Pariah.

Gripes? Complaints? Whines? or Comments? Adoration? Puppy love? Feel free to express yourself in the comments below!