Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Sacrament, Reservation of the Blessed The practice of preserving after the celebration of the Liturgy a portion of the consecrated elements for the Communion of the sick or for other pious purposes. The extreme antiquity of such reservation cannot be disputed. Already Justin Martyr, in the first detailed account of Eucharistic practice we possess, tells … Continue reading “Sacrament, Reservation of the Blessed”

Sacrament of Penance A sacrament of the New Law, instituted by Christ, for the remission of sins committed after Baptism. Implied in the right of “binding and loosing” promised by Christ to the rulers of His Church (Matthew 16:18), the power to forgive sins was unequivocally granted to the Apostles, and consequently to their successors, … Continue reading “Sacrament of Penance”

sacrament house A tabernacle usually situated on the north or Gospel side of a church outside the sanctuary. Here the Blessed Sacrament was kept in a monstrance behind locked metal doors of lattice work through which the Host could be dimly seen by the faithful. They were used extensively throughout central Europe, especially in the … Continue reading “sacrament house”

SACRAMENT Is derived from the Latinword sacramentum, which signifies an oath, particularly the oath taken by soldiers to be true to their country and general. The word was adopted by the writers of the Latin church, to denote those ordinances of religion by which Christians came under an obligation of obedience to God, and which … Continue reading “Sacrament”

Sacra Romana Rota (Latin: rota, a wheel) One of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. The origin of the name is uncertain. As a collegiate tribunal the Rota dates from the 13th century but, due to the rise of the Roman Congregations, by the 19th century it had become only a civil tribunal. It … Continue reading “Sacra Romana Rota”

Sacra jam splendent decorata Iychnis Hymn for Matins on the feast of the Holy Family, third Sunday after the Epiphany. It was written by Pope Leo XIII, and has two translations; the English title given above is by Monsignor Henry. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Sacra Jam Splendent The opening words of the hymn for Matins of the Feast of the Holy Family. The Holy See instituted the feast in 1893, making it a duplex majus (greater double) and assigning it to the third Sunday after Epiphany. Leo XIII composed the three hymns (Vespers, Matins, Lauds) of the Breviary Office. … Continue reading “Sacra Jam Splendent”

Sacra, Circa, Or In Sacris The power of the magistrate is scarcely allowed by any party in sacris (in sacred things), but many allow his power circa sacra (about sacred things). The 23d chapter of the Westminster Confession says, however: The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the word and sacraments … Continue reading “Sacra, Circa, Or In Sacris”

Sacra (sacred rites), a general term used by the ancient Romans to denote all that belonged to the worship of the gods. The sacra were either public or private, the former applying to the worship conducted at the expense of the State, and the latter at the expense of families or single individuals. In both … Continue reading “Sacra”

SACOPHORI A denomination in the fourth century, so called, because they always went clothed in sackcloth, and affected a great deal of austerity and penance. Fuente: Theological Dictionary