Glossary of Terms

Abbot:

The spiritual father and superior of an abbey, a large house of religious priests and brothers of the Benedictine family or of certain orders of Canons regular (i.e.: Canons regular of the Lateran, Canons regular of Premontre). He regulates community observance in accordance with the needs of climate and customs of the times. He is elected normally for life, by the monks of his community.

 

Abbot General:

The position of Abbot General in the Premonstratensian order was occupied traditionally by the abbot of Premontre until that abbey's suppression at the time of the French Revolution. He is now elected for life by the Order's General Chapter and must retire at General Chapter closest to his 70th birthday. He is the immediate superior of all of the prelates (either abbots or superiors of independent priories) of the Order. He is the last court of appeal in conflicts within the various communities of the Order.

 

Apostolic Nuntius:

The papal ambassador in a country who represents the Holy See and acts as liaison with the Episcopal Conference.

 

Cardinal Mindszenty Foundation:

A Catholic foundation founded in the name of the late Josef Mindszenty, Primate of Hungary, which supports a strong anti-Communist position for the United States.

 

Clausura:

A "closed" section of the religious house to all except those who live there.

 

Conventual Mass:

A Mass which is celebrated in the presence of the whole monastic community. It is generally a Mass offered with greater solemnity at which the community, assembled in choir, sings.

 

Csorna:

A town in northwestern Hungary, and in this History the term for an abbey of the Premonstratensian order in the western part of Hungary, near the Austrian border. Founded under the patronage of St. Michael, Csorna animated such schools as Keszthely and Szombethely, the school where Josef Cardinal Mindszenty was educated. It was the community of origin for the founding fathers of St. Michael's in Orange.

 

Divine Office:

This term recalls the ancient practice of praying psalms, hymns, and canticles seven times throughout the day. This was in order to fulfill the Lord's precept to pray without ceasing, to offer praise to God the Father, and to intercede for the salvation of the world. The Divine Office was seen as a kind of necessary complement to the fullness of worship continued the Mass. The book, which contains the all these prayers systematically arranged, is called the "breviary."

Frater:

Latin for "brother." In the Norbertine Order this term is given to young clerics who are not yet priests.

General Chapter:

A legislative and judicial body made up of the abbots and other superiors and delegates of the Order.

 

Gymnazium:

The level of school roughly equivalent to a combined US middle and high school. A "classical gymnazium" emphasized studying the classical languages (Latin and Greek) and philosophy along with Math and Sciences. The "real gymnazium" focused on modern languages along with Math and Sciences.

 

Junior Seminary:

The equivalent of four year high school course of studies. The curriculum was intended to prepare young men for the next level of seminary studies and, ultimately, the priesthood. It was the first "4" of seminary studies. cf. Minor Seminary.

 

Liturgy:

Essentially concerned with the Mysteries of Christian worship which are the chief and most immediate means by which both individuals and society are sanctified and brought into intimate participation in God's divine life. It is the system of prayers and sacred texts and ceremonies established by the Church as the vehicle of her public worship of God.

 

Mass:

The central Mystery of the Christian Faith. It is the liturgical action in which the priest, as the representative of Christ, renews the offering to God of Christ's own sacrifice of Himself on Calvary and present on the altar under the species of bread and wine, by virtue of the words of consecration.

 

Minor Seminary:

A high school whose educational mission is to age-appropriately educate and form young men for the Roman Catholic priesthood. After the minor seminary, students continue to the major seminary. Seminaries in the US are organized under a "6-6" or a "4-4-4" model. The first "6" refers to four years of high school plus the first two years of college. The second "6" refers to two years of philosophical study plus four years of theology. The "4-4-4" refers to four years of high school, four years of college study, four years of theology.

 

Norbert (St.):

Canon of the collegiate chapter at Xanten and founder of the Canons Regular of Premontre (Premonstratensians). Norbert was the younger of a noble family of Xanten. After his ‘conversion’ in 1115 he became an itinerant preacher, priest and founder. As one of the leaders of the Gregorian Reform, he became the archbishop of Magdeburg in 1126. He was canonized in 1582 by Gregory XIII.

 

Norbertine:

See Premonstratensian

 

Novitiate:

The period of formal probation of a person in a religious community or secular institute.

Novice:

A probationary member of a monastic community. The period of probation lasts a year. During this time he is under the authority of the superior and follows the rules of the community.

 

Order:

A religious society established under the authority of the Holy See in which the members are bound by solemn vows.

 

O.Praem:

Latin abbreviation of Ordo Praemonstratensis [Order of Premontre], the formal Latin title of the Norbertines.

 

Premonstratensian:

Also known as Norbertines and, in England, as White Canons from the color of their habit. Founded by St. Norbert in 1121 with the rule of St. Augustine. By 1126 the order had quickly spread over Western Europe; because of its French Motherhouse, it almost became extinct during that country's revolution.

 

Prior:

The head or deputy head of a monastery. In the case of St. Michael's, the prior was the direct and immediate head of the community.

 

Prior de regimine:

The head of a monastery that is juridically independent of other monasteries.

 

Procurator General:

This person is the ordinary and direct contact between the Order and the Vatican dealing with legal and juridical matters. This is a top elected position in the Order.

 

Profession:

The act of embracing the religious state by the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

 

Solemn Profession:

The permanent and definitive embracing of the religious state in an institute recognized by the Church as a religious order.

 

Vatican II:

A church ecumenical council which began in 1963 and which defined the current outlook of the Catholic Church.

 

Vicar General:

In a Roman Catholic setting, the vicar general is the person who is second in charge.

 

Visitator:

A priest appointed by the religious order who travels to houses within the order to determine how faithfully its members are maintaining their rule of life.

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