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M Macedonians, n, pl.; Gr. A group of heretics in the early fourth century who denied the divinity of the third person of the Blessed Trinity. Machabees,n.pl.; Heb,; Bib. Also Maccabees. (l) Two books of the Old Testament giving the history of Judas Machabeus and his brothers; both are rejected by Protestants. (2) Seven young Jewish, nobles and their mother who were martyred in the second century B.C. Madonna, n.; It. (1) Title given to the Blessed Virgin. (2) The name used in referring to certain pictures of the Blessed Virgin; also used in invocations of the Blessed Virgin. Magdalen, n.; Gr,, L. A name attached to penitent women; also applied to those who themselves are blameless but wish to live a semireligious life in institutions dedicated to reclaiming prostitutes and unfortunate girls. Magi, n.pl.; Gr., L. The three Oriental wise men who visited the Christ child and presented Him with gifts. The feast is celebrated on Epiphany. Magisterium, n.; L. The authority of the Church, by divine appointment, to teach the truths of religious belief; the commission of the Church to teach; the teaching office of the Church; the teaching and interpreting of the doctrines of faith carried on by the Church through the Pope and bishops and those commissioned by them. It may be ordinary when a doctrine is proclaimed throughout the Church as part of divine revelation; or extraordinary when a general council defines a doctrine ratified by the Pope or when the Pope speaks as the official teacher of the Church (ex cathedra) proclaiming or defining a matter of faith or morals, Magistratus, n.; L. A layman attendant of the bishop at pontifical occasions or at Mass. Magnanimity, n.; L. That virtue which prompts one to exercise every virtue in an excellent degree; one of the virtues connected with the cardinal virtue of fortitude. Magnificat, n.; L. The first word of the Canticle or song of the Blessed Virgin recorded in Luke 1:46-55; the first word in the Latin version also used as a title for this canticle. Major Orders, n.pl; L. The highest degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, namely those conferred on deacons, priests, and bishops. The episcopacy is a fullness of the Sacrament; priesthood a lesser degree, and deaconship a still lesser degree. Subdeaconship became classed as a major order in the twelfth century and is probably not a sacrament although it is necessary for the reception of the Sacrament. Malabar Rites , adj. The retention of some pagan religious acts by the natives of India, which were permitted by the missionaries and later condemned by the Holy See. Malachias , n.; Heb.; Bib. The last prophetical book of the Old Testament, named after the prophet. Malediction, n; L. (1) The announcement of loss of a temporal or eternal good as a punishment for sin, made by God Himself. (2) The wishing of evil by a human being to another through a motive of revenge or hatred or in punishment for some offence; in this sense, the same as cursing. (Cf. Cursing.) Malice, n.; L., O.Fr. The evil of a conscious and deliberate transgression of the law of God, which constitutes the essential gravity of a sin; contempt for God by actual denial of and contempt for His law. Mandatum, n.; L. The ceremony of the washing of feet of thirteen poor men, performed by the bishop at the cathedral on Holy Thursday, in imitation of our Lord who washed thefeet of the Apostles. Manichees (man-ee-keez), n.pl.; L. Also Manichaeans. A sect of Persia and North Africa, more pagan than heretical, of the third century, who under their founder, Manes, taught that good and evil were two positive realities governing the lives of men, and borrowed from gnosticism the idea of the hatefulness of matter. Manifestation (of conscience), n.; L., Fr. The expression of one's state of conscience for guidance in a spiritual matter; a practice in some religious orders which is not obligatory. Maniple, n.; L., O.Fr. A vestment worn across the left arm between the elbow and the wrist and usually tied or pinned to the sleeve of the alb. The vestment symbolizes penance and sorrow; it is made of the same material and is of the same colour as the chasuble. Mantelletta, n.; It. A sleeveless vestment of silk or wool open at the front and fastening at the throat, which reaches about to the knees; it is worn by cardinals, bishops and abbots, and other superior prelates of the Papal court. Mantellone, n.; It. A purple, sleeveless coat reaching to the ankles, worn by inferior prelates of the Papal court. (Cf. Mantelletta.) Mantum, n.; L. A cape worn only by the Pope; it is either white or red and has a short train. Manual Mass, adj.; L., Fr. A Mass read for the intention of one who gives the offering. Manuterge,n.;L. The small linen towel used during the Mass at the "Lavabo"; a finger towel. Mappula, n.; L., It. (1) A portable canopy carried over one as a mark of honor. Mariolatry, n.; Gr. Forbidden and idolatrous worship of the Blessed Virgin. (Cf. Hyperdulia.) Mariology,n.;Gr. The study of the theology referring to the Blessed Virgin. Marks (of the Church),n.pl.; A.S. The distinguishing features of the Church, namely, its unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity, which declare it to be the true Church founded by Christ. It is one, i.e., it has unity as a whole because all members profess the same faith, practice the same worship, under the Pope as head, according to the will of Christ; it is holy, i.e., its purpose with that of Christ Himself is the sanctification of man; it is catholic, i.e., universal, for all men and all times; it is apostolic, i.e., it was founded by Christ on the Apostles through the Holy Ghost. Marriage , n.; L., O.Fr. (1) The natural contract uniting a man and woman in wedlock, which Christ made a sacrament; the Sacrament of Matrimony. (Cf. Matrimony.) (2) Mystical marriage is a permanent consciousness of the presence of God in the soul; mystical union with God. Martha, n.; Bib. (1) The sister of Lazarus and Mary and a friend of Jesus as narrated in Luke 8:40. (2) The name frequently given to a sister or nun who does not teach or do special work, but has care of the tasks about a convent, e.g., the kitchen work, etc. Martyr, n.; Gr., L., A.S. One who voluntarily suffers death for his religion and thereby gives testimony of Christ; literally a witness for Christ. Martyrdom, n.; Gr.,L., A.S. The suffering of death for the Faith or for Christian virtue; the fullest exercise of the virtue of fortitude. It bestows sanctifying grace and remits all punishment due to sin. Martyrology, n., Gr. A liturgical book containing a list of the martyrs and other saints; it offers a brief biography and the commemoration of each saint for every day in the year. Mary, n.; Gr., Heb. Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anne, was of the tribe of Juda and of the royal house of David. The Mother of God; the Virgin to whom was born Christ the Son, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity; the Blessed Virgin, the Queen of Heaven. Mass, n.; L., A.S. The un-bloody Sacrifice of Calvary; the Sacrifice of the Eucharist; the highest act of worship in the Catholic Church which is offered up by the priest in the place of Christ Himself, (1) Capitular or Chapter: The conventual Mass of a Cathedral or collegiate chapter. (2) Conventual: A Mass celebrated daily in choir at an hour and in a manner determined by the rubrics as the principal part of the daily Sacred Liturgy in Cathedral and collegiate churches, and in the conventual churches of such Religious as are obliged to recite in choir the canonical hours. (3) Parochial: (a) The Missa pro populo, i.e., the Mass which must be offered on certain days for the members of their parish by those who have care of souls, or the pastors. (b) The chief public Mass celebrated on days of obligation or of special public celebration in a parochial or quasi-parochial church for the benefit of the people of the parish. (4) Public: (a) Mass celebrated in a place open to the public, a church or public oratory, (b) A Mass of obligation celebrated for some body in the Mass for a public cause, i.e., because of a public obligation or because of a public reason of charity or necessity. Hence Masses (sung or low) are "public" Masses. (5) Private: (a) A Mass celebrated in a private place, private oratory or private house, (b) A low Mass, i.e., a Mass which is neither a High Mass nor a sung Mass. (c) A non-low. (d) A Mass which is neither sung nor conventual.(e) A Mass which is not "public" nor "parochial." (f) A Mass detached from the liturgy of the day, as a Mass on Palm Sunday at which the palms are not blessed and carried in procession, (g) A "private" Mass of the dead is one that is neither sung nor conventual nor "privileged." (6) Votive: A Mass celebrated, for a reasonable cause, not in conformity with the office of the day, but according to the wish (votum) of the celebrant or of his superior or of the person for whose intention the Mass is being offered. Massorah, n.; Heb. The Jewish comments on the text of the Hebrew Bible compiled from marginal notes which form the body of critical notes and information concerning this text. Master of ceremonies, n.; L. Latin: Caeremoniarius. The one who directs the ceremonies in solemn functions; one who directs the liturgy. Matellone, n. It. Variation of mantellone. Matins (mat'inz), n.pl.; L. The first division or hour of the breviary. Matricula, n.; L. A list of names of the clergy who formally make up the collegiate chapter of a cathedral. Matrimony, n.; L., O.Fr. The Sacrament of marriage; the lawful spiritual and bodily union between man and woman for life; the natural contract uniting a man and woman in wedlock, raised to a sacrament by Christ. Matter, n.;L., Fr. (1) A term applied to that part of a sacrament made up of the rites and ceremonies and the material used in administering the sacrament. (2) A term applied to that material element of a sacrament, e.g., the water in Baptism, which is essential to a sacrament. (Cf. Form.) Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, the Thursday of Holy Week so named because of the washing of the feet which is a part of the liturgy of that day. The word "Maundy" is derived from the first word Mandatum (commandment), of the first antiphon sung during this ceremony of washing. Medal(med'l), n.; L., It. Disk or piece of metal on which has been impressed an emblem Or picture A type of medal, representing a particular devotion or object of veneration. Medals are sacramentals of the Church. Mediana Sunday Name sometimes applied to Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. Mediator, n.; L. One who pleads the cause of another; a person who acts as a link or a go-between between two extremes; Christ is truly the Mediator between God and Man. Mediatrix , n.; L. Name given to the Blessed Virgin because she, in virtue of her divine motherhood, is the channel through which all graces flow from the merits of Christ to man. The Blessed Virgin is the intercessory mediatrix. Christ alone is the Mediator between God and man. Meditation , n.; L. A wordless prayer of the mind; the act of praying mentally by using the memory, the understanding, and the will in considering a divine truth or in addressing a petition to God. Such mental prayer may lead to contemplation or higher forms of affective (the soul by affection of the will goes direct to God) prayer. Melchisedech (mel-kiz-e-dek ), n.; Heb.; Bib. The king of Salem and a priest of God mentioned in Gen. 14:18-20 who prefigured Christ. Melchites (mel-kites), n.pl.; Gr. (1) The name attached to those Christians who held to the definition of Chalcedon, namely, the denial of the heretical Monophysite creed that there was only one nature in Christ after the Incarnation. (2) The Arabic-speaking Catholics in Palestine, Syria, and Egypt who are subject to the Patriarch of Antioch and who follow the Byzantine rite. Memento,n.;L. Either of the two prayers in the Canon of the Mass, one for the living, the other tor the dead, beginning with the word memento. In these prayers the priest pauses and calls to mind those for whom he especially, wishes to pray. Memoria , n.; L. (1) A reliquary in which relics of the martyrs were kept and which were sometimes carried in processions. (2) A memorial church or chapel built in honor of a martyr or a confessor, which usually contains the relics of the saint who is commemorated. (3) The lowest class feast, just above a feria, in their Benedictine and Dominican calendars. Memoriale, n.; L. A liturgical book drawn up by Benedict XIII and extended to all small parish churches of the Roman rite by Pius VII, and made obligatory. The book gives a detailed description of a simpler rite than that of the Missal for carrying out the Sacred Liturgy of Candlemas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and the Triduum Sacrum or the three days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Its full name in Latin is Memoriale Rituum. ^Mendicant Friar, adj.;L. One who was a mendicant and depended for his livelihood upon begging. Formerly, the Augustinian orders were so named because their rule did not permit them to possess property privately or in common, hence they had to beg. Menology , n.; Gr., L. (1) The calendar listing the names of martyrs and later also confessors; a martyrology. (2) In religious orders, a list of eminent decased members. Mensa (men'sa), n.; L. The flat table-top or stone of an altar; an altar stone. Usually applied to the entire top of the table whereon the Mass is celebrated. Every mensa has five Greek crosses cut into it to indidicate the places whereon it was annointed at its consecration. (Cf. Altar.) Mensal Fund, adj.; L. The portion of the Church revenue which is set aside for the maintenance of those who serve the Church; the share for the support of a cleric; chiefly an English term. Mental (reservation),adj.; L. The expression of truth that is likely to be received by the hearer in a different sense or meaning; such restriction is sinful if the manner of expression makes it impossible to perceive the truth. Mercy, n.; L. Compassion for the sufferings, whether bodily or spiritual, of others, arising from charity; an act of charity bestowed through sympathy. (Cf. Works, of mercy.) Meridian, n.; L. The name of the midday rest taken at noon by monks in monasteries. Merit (mer'it), n.; L, The quality which makes a free moral action deserving of reward; the reward uf a morally good action; value attached to morally good actions by God; the eternal value of acts done through the grace of God. Messalians (me-zali-ans), n.pl.; Gr. A name attached to an heretical sect of the fourth century who accepted only prayers as rightful acts of religion; Euchites. Messias, n.; Heb. In Hebrew, "the anointed one"; referred to the one who was to come to deliver the people of Israel; rightly used in referring to Christ. Messianic, adj.; Heb. An adjective applied to those prophesies of Sacred Scripture which refer to man's redemption or to the Redeemer. Any statement made of the Messias. Metaphysics, n. pl.; Gr. The science which treats of being as such; science treating of that which exists precisely as it is existing. It is divided into: (a) general metaphysics or ontology which treats of being and the nature of substance, accidents, quality and quantity; (b) special metaphysics which treats of theodicy, the study of God. Metropolitan, n.; L. Formerly the bishop of the largest city or the place where the government was and who was considered to rank over the bishops of lesser places; at present, the term is applied to archbishops in large cities who have suffragan sees. Micah (mi'ka), n.; Heb.; Bib. The name of the prophet Micheas as it appears in the Protestant versions of the Bible. Michaelmas (mik-el-mass), n.; O.E. Archaic English name for the Feast of St. Michael. Micheas, n.; Heb.; Bib.The author and prophet who wrote the prophetical book of the Old Testament bearing his name. Mildness, n.; A.S, The virtuous habit which governs the irascible nature of man according to right reason; one of the virtues annexed to temperance; also, one of the fruits of the Holy Ghost. Millennium, n.; L. ,Term applied by some writers to an anticipated age of happiness on earth in the glorious reign of Christ and His saints prior to the end of the world. The hope for this period arises from an erroneous interpretation of Apoc, 20. Minor Orders, adj.; L. The four sacramentals of: porter lector, exorcist, and acolyte. They are received preliminary to their reception of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Miracle , n.; L. An act or event which is above the natural order. A work or thing of wonder done by God, a fact produced by God alone which is above, beside, or beyond the accustomed order of action of all of created nature. Miserere (me-say-ray-ray), n.; L. Literally, "have mercy"; the first word in the Latin version of Psalm 50, which has come to be the title of this psalm; the fourth of the seven penitential psalms. Misericord, n,; L. A dispensation from fasting given to a member of a religious order. Also the room in which persons given such dispensations take their meals. Missal n.; L. The liturgical book containing the text for all Masses used by the priest in celbrating Mass; the liturgical book used by the priest at the altar in reading Mass; the liturgical prayerbook for all the faithful. Its full title is Missale Romanum (Cf. Ordinary of the Mass; Proper.) Missal-stand n.; A small wooden or metal support upon which the Missal is placed during the Mass for ease in reading. Mission, n.; L. A place to which a priest is sent where he has jurisdiction; a place in a country where the majority are not yet converted or have fallen away from the Faith. Also said of that place near an organized parish at which services are held for the faithful but at which there is no resident priest. Missions (popular), n. pl.; L,. A number of days set aside in some locality for the practice of religious exercises under the direction of a missionary priest so that the faithful may be instructed and sinners converted; a time of religious pursuit during which meditations, devotions, and addresses are given in a cycle to promote penance and instill the desire to live a more fervent life. Not to be confused with retreats. Mitre, n.; Gr., L. A tall double-pointed headdress worn by bishops, abbots, and sometimes by other high-ranking ecclesiastics; the two points of this ornamental head-dress symbolize the Old and New Testaments. There are three mitres: Two mitres are used in a Pontifical High Mass: (1) the precious mitre which is made of white silk and richly ornamented with gold,jewels and needle-work; (2) the cloth-of-gold mitre of plain gold cloth but without jewels and other rich ornaments. The precious mitre is worn till the Introit; the cloth-of-gold mitre till the Credo inclusive; and finally the precious mitre till the end of Mass. (3) A plain white mitre of silk or linen is used at Requiem Masses. Mixed Marriage, n.; L. Marriage between two persons of different religions; generally a marriage between a Catholic and a person of some other religious affiliation. Modernism, n.; L. Teachings of a group of thinkers who recognize the reality of the Divine but in so doing depend on their own subjective experience; thus they condemn faith; the seeking by man to find all religion, natural and supernatural, in himself; the theory that religion is of man; men of ultra-liberal thought along scientific lines in the Church are called modernists. Modernism was an outcome of the Reformation, but in the nineteenth century it became drastically liberal and antireligious. Modernism has been condemned by the Church in pronouncements of 1907 and 1910. Modesty, n.; L. (1) The virtue which prompts one to give the proper degree of importance to each act; decorum in all external acts; moderation within reason of all external acts, (2) Today in popular understanding this virtue is chiefly applied to matters of purity or chastity, meaning a proper or decent restraint regarding sex, especially in matters of dress or attire. Molinism,n.; Sp. The theological system originated in Madrid, Spain, under Louis de Molina (1535-1600), which held that grace for its efficacy was de- pendent on its being accepted by man's will. Monarchians (mo-na/ki-ans), n.pl.; Gr. Heretics of the second century who denied any real distinction between the Persons of the Trinity and later altered their teaching and denied only equality between the Persons of the Trinity. (Cf. Sabellianism.) Monastery, n.; Gr., L. The place of residence of a group of monks; the building wherein monks have their cells and carry on their religious life; sometimes also applied to convents. Monastic, adj.; Gr., L. Of or pertaining to a monastery or to the inmates of a monastery or to their life or work. Monk, n.; Gr., L. Originally a hermit or anchorite. Later a name given to a member of a community of men living apart from the world under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and according to some rule of a religious order. In particular it became associated with those following the Benedictine rule. The title is not to be confused with that given to members of orders of friars, clerks regular, or religious congregations of men. Monophysites, n.pl.; Gr. Heretics of the early Church who believed that there was only one nature in Christ; this doctrine was condemned by the Council of Chalcedon. Monophysism, , n.;Gr. Also monophyskism. The heretical teaching that there is only one nature in Christ, namely, the divine. Monothelites, n.pl.; Gr. Heretics who believed that Christ has only one will; they held that there are two natures but contended that there is but one person in Christ and consequently only one will or one operation. This heresy was condemned by the sixth general council or the third Council of Constantinople in A.D. 680. Mothelitismn.; Gr. The heresy of the seventh teaching two natures in Christ but only a divine will. (Cf.Monothelites.) Monsignor (mon-see-nyor), n.; It. A title or dignity bestowed by the Pope upon a priest entitling him to be called Monsignor; an honorary rank conferred for exceptional service; deserving of this title are: Protonotaries Apostolic, Domestic Prelates. Private Chamberlains, Honorary Chamberlains, and Vicars General. It is abbreviated Msgr. Mons Pietatis, n.; L. Latin words meaning a fund for pious purposes; a charitable credit organization from which the poor could borrow money by depositing objects of nominal value as a security. The Mons Pietatis were founded in the fifteenth century to protect the poor from the usurious exactions of the money lenders and traveling bankers of the Middle Ages. Monstrance, n.; L., O.Fr. The sacred vessel in which the Blessed Sacrament is usually exposed for veneration at Benediction or in which it is carried dur- ing a procession; an ostensorium. (Cf. Luna; Lunette.) Montanists, n.pl.;Gr, Followers of Montanus of the second century who claimed prophetical powers. They insisted upon individual holiness as against the authority of the Church. Month's Mind, n.; L. The Requiem Mass said on the thirtieth day after death. Moral Theology (mor'al), n.; L. The science of the moral laws which regulate the duties of men toward God; the study of moral actions not only in the light of ethical standards but chiefly as they are seen in Christian revelation and in the positive law of the Church. Morality , n.; L. The moral goodness or badness of an act in as far as it is in accordance with the rules of right conduct or opposed to them; nowadays usu- ally refers only to goodness. Morganatic (mor'ga-nat'ik), adj.; L. Said of a marriage which is valid but in which the wife is of an inferior social status and in which it is contracted that the wife and children shall not succeed to dignities and benefits of the husband or father; usually occurs only where a member of royalty marries a commoner. Morse, n,; L. The ornamental clasp, usually a short chain with a hook and eye attached, used to fasten the cope across the chest. Mortal sin, adj.; L, A morally bad human act which is grievously offensive to God; that sin which destroys charity, robs the soul of sanctifying grace, and makes it deserving of eternal punishment. (Cf. Sin.) Mortification, n.;L. Acts of fasting or self-imposed corporal punishments performed for a pious intention and for the spiritual good of the soul; acts of temperance; works performed often despite the repugnance of the will which are in themselves good and of spiritual value; acts usually connected with some bodily pain or contrary to the ordinary wishes of a person. Motet (mo-tet), n.; Fr. A vocal musical composition, with Latin words usually taken from the Scriptures, which may be sung during extra-liturgical functions. Mozzetta (mo-zet'a), n.; It. A short vestment worn over the shoulders, which can be buttoned down the front and to which a hood is attached behind; it is worn by the Pope, cardinals, bishops, abbots, and sometimes by other prelates. It is a state dress rather than a liturgical dress. Mundatory (mun'da-tor-i), n.; L. A small unblessed linen cloth with a small cross stitched in the center which is used during the Mass for cleansing the chalice; a purificator. Muratorian Canon,adj., n.; L. That canon of the Scriptures which as early as the third century offered a formal list of the New Testament books contained in the Bible. Munera (mu'ner-a), n.pl.; L. Official gifts; the offerings of bread and wine offered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Mystery, n.; Gr., L. (1) A truth which cannot be known or understood by human reason. Also a doctrine of faith, acceptance and belief in a doctrine not fully understood, but which is revealed to us through Christ. The theological meaning is a truth which man cannot discover of himself, that is, without teaching or revelation, and which after his becoming informed of it, he cannot fully understand, (2) Sometimes applied to any consideration of a particular doctrine or teaching of faith. (3) The subject of meditation made while saying a decade of the rosary. Mystic , n.; Gr., L, One who through mental prayer or contemplation is granted a more perfect knowledge of God and thus achieves a greater love of God; one who is granted the gift of wisdom and thereby achieves a high state of perfection; one who understands the mysteries of faith through union with God or by direct revelation,(Cf. Contemplation, Mysticism.) Mystical Body , adj., n.; Gr., L. The members of the Church, the communion of Saints, the living and suffering and triumphant members, under the headship of Christ united in a real spiritual body by the supernatural grace of Baptism; the members receive graces to fulfill their function under the Head, Christ, for their salvation. Mystical (Sense of Scripture), adj.; Gr., L. An interpretation of Sacred Scripture which reveals the meaning of certain things as inferred from meanings other than those ordinarily attached to the words. Sometimes God wished that the things signified by the words of Sacred Scripture should also signify other things, and thus we have the mystical or spiritual sense. The mystical sense is subdivided into: (a) allegorical, where the statements of the Old Testament signify the mysteries or teachings of the New Testament; {b) moral, where moral precepts are signified; (c) anagogical, where they denote some aspect of future glory, Mystical (theology), ad;.; Gr., L. Sometimes associated with ascetical theology, but more properly it is that knowledge of God which comes through contemplation and love of God, a close association with God, and direct or scmidirect intuitive knowledge of God. The theology of the mysteries of faith, Mysticism , n.; Gr., L. The experience of direct communion with God; the interior union and intercourse of a fervent soul with God; the highest form of mental prayer; the subject of mystical theology; the understanding of the mysteries of faith. (Cf, Mystic; Contemplation.)