TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC DICTIONARY ONLINE—R

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Rabbi, n.; Fr. French: rabat. A small piece of black cloth worn by priests and other religious, attached to the Roman collar and resting on the chest; a white rabbi, divided in the center into two rectangles, is worn by Brothers of Christian Doctrine.

Raccolta, n.; L., It. A book in which are printed prayers, pious exercises, and ejaculations to which an indulgence has been attached together with the date and extent of the indulgence. It is no longer the official book of indulgenced prayers, being replaced by the more recent Preces et Pia Opera.

Rashness, n.; O.Fr. A sin opposed to the virtue of prudence; doing something without due deliberation, as passing judgment without having sound basis of judging.

Reader, n.; A.S. A lector; one whose office it is to read. (Cf. Lector.)

Real Presence, adj. & n.; L., O.Fr. The theological term used for the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament under the appearances of bread and wine. (Cf. Eucharist.)

Receive, v.t.; L., O.Fr. To take communion; to communicate.(Colloq.)

Recidivism, n.; L. Repeatedly committing the same sin after confessing it again and again, giving little evidence of improvement and of the purpose of amendment.

Recluse, n.; L. One living a solitary life apart from the world, often more rigorous than that of a hermit because he confines himself to a single, cell or room.

Reconciliation, n.; L. The act of reblessing or reinstating. Said of a church or cemetery which has been violated; it must be "reconciled" by the bishop before it can again be used for sacred services. Not the Sacrament of Penance.

Rector, n.; L. The ecclesiastical head of a college or seminary; also used to refer to a mis- sionary priest or a priest of a diocese in charge of an outlying church; also used as a tide for the priest in charge of any church which is neither a parish church nor that of a chapter, nor one attached to a religious community.

Redactor, n.; L. Literally, an editor. Said of the first or original writer who recorded the Scriptures or one who edited or revised the Scriptures after having been given them by the inspired writer.

Redeemer, n.; L. The title applied to Christ who in His life, Passion, and death made satis- faction for mankind. (Cf. Redemption.)

Redemption, n.; L. The act of bringing man out of the bondage of sin and restoring him to the friendship of God; the satisfaction of divine justice. The satisfaction made to God for the fall of man by the Incarnation of the Son and His death for mankind; Christ's atonement for sin and meriting of grace through the justice and holiness of God the Father.

Refectory, n.; L. The dining room in a monastery, a convent, or seminary.

Reformation, n.; L., O.Fr. The rise in the German empire of a pseudo-reform of the Church in the early sixteenth century which resulted in the formation of so-called reformed churches or the Protesrant churches of Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism; the revolt or revolution which led to Protestantism begun by Martin Luther in the sixteenth century which destroyed the Christian unity and gave rise to various sects. It was religious, social, and political in its effect.

Regale, n.; L. (1) The right claimed by kings by which they were to receive the revenue from a vacant bishopric or benefice. (Obs.) (2) In the plural (regalia), vulgarly and wrongly referred to the insignia and ceremonial vesture of a Church dignitary.

Regeneration, n.; L. A term sometimes applied to Baptism; the act of being raised from the state of original sin to the friendship of God and made an heir of heaven.

Regesta, n.pl-; L. The copies of papal correspondence and official documents which are filed in the papal chancery.

Regina Coeli, (ray-jeena-chay-lee), n.; L. Literally translated, "the Queen of Heaven," The Latin words which form the tide of the anthem in honor of the Blessed Virgin and which is said in place of the Angelus during the Easter season.

Regulars, n.pl.; L. Those belonging to a religious order and bound by the vows of religion and obeying a particular rule, yet distinguished from monks; they may be of either sex.

Relics, n.pl.; L., O.Fr. The bodies of saints, particles of their bodies, or articles of clothing, vestments, and the like which they used during their lifetimes and which the Church venerates because of the position of the person in sanctity and virtue and because these may bring a person to the imitation of the saint; often miracles are worked by the grace and favor of God through a relic and: through the intercession of the saint whose relic is so used. To be genuine, first-class relics must be fully authenticated, that is, be accompanied by papers stating that such an object was actually a part of the body. Relics are commonly, divided into three classes. First-class relics are parts of the actual body of the saint. Second-class relics are bits of the clothing and other articles used by the saint in life. Third-class relics are objects that have been touched to the body or tomb of the saint.

Religion, n.; L., O.Fr. (1) The union of man with God; the active realization of man's rela- tion to God. The doctrines, precepts, and practices by which man joins himself to God. The science treating of all degrees of faith and practice. (2) The virtue by which we give to God the honor which is due Him; the performance of acts honoring' God by which we show our love for God. It is of obligation for everyone.

Religious, n.; L., O.Fr. The name frequently applied to a member of an order who has de- voted himself to God by the three vows of religion; a member of a religious institution.

Religious (life), adj. & n,; L., O.Fr. A life devoted by a rule to perfection. It is chiefly the voluntary making of and living according to the three vows of poverty, perfect chastity, and perfect obedience. It is the life led by those who are members of various religious orders, congregations, societies, and communities.

Reliquary, n.; Fr. A sealed container in which relics are kept; a monstrance-like upright stand supporting a container of relics. (Cf.Herma.)

Reparation, n.; L., O.Fr. Making amends for material or spiritual wrongs committed against another; also restitution. An act performed to make satisfaction for the violation of justice.

Repentance, n.; L. Contrition or sorrow for sins, including a purpose of amendment.

Repository, n.; L. The chapel or side altar in which the Blessed Sacrament, consecrated on Holy Thursday, is kept or reposes until the Mass of Good Friday. (Cf. Reservation.)

Reprobation, n.; L. The state of those who will not cooperate with the grace of God for their salvation; their eternal punishment as foreseen by God who alone will Judge.

Repus Sunday,n.;L. Name applied sometimes to Passion Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent.

Requiem, n.; L. A Mass said for the repose of a soul; a funeral Mass; the name is derived from the first word of the Introit of the Mass for the dead. (Cf. Mass.)

Reredos (Ray-ray-dos), n.; O.E. An ornamental screen or decorative work of wood or stone placed behind an altar which may or may not form a part of the altar; the term is applied to a painting in the same position. If made from fabric it is called a Dossal curtain. (Cf. Altar.)

Rescripts, n.pl.; L. Granted favors of dispensation; they are answers given to different requests obtained from the Holy See and from other Ordinaries in favor of all those who are not explicitly excluded from this right. One may make use of the rescript or not, as he wishes, hence it need not be followed. It may be revoked or become invalid.

Reservation, n.; L. (1) The retention of the Blessed Sacrament in the repository which is the tabernacle. (2) The withholding of the power or jurisdiction to absolve from certain sins or censures made by an ecclesiastical authority. (3) A condition or qualification made in one's mind when making an assertion. (Cf. Mental reservation.) (4) The act by which a benefice is said to be due to a certain individual worthy of the benefice; the papal request that a benefice be conferred upon some particular individual.

Reserved (Case), adj., L. A sin or censure for which the jurisdiction to absolve is withheld or reserved to a certain ecclesiastical superior; e.g., a bishop. Those who have the ordinary power of giving to another faculties to hear confessions or to inflict censures can also reserve some cases to their own tribunal and thus limit the power of absolution given to their priests.

Residence, n.; L., Fr. (1) A house where one resides, a dwelling place. (2) The provision of canon law under which a parish priest, or one holding a benefice, may not be absent from his place of jurisdiction for more than a week without the permission of the ordinary.

Resignation, n.; L., O.Fr. (1) The giving up or renouncing of a benefice to the lawful superior and its acceptance by him. (2) Tlie acceptance of the will of God by the performance of all necessary acts in submission to the higher laws of God and His Church.

Responsory, n.; L., O.Fr. The verses recited after the Lessons of the Breviarium, so named because, when the office is recited in common, the parts of the responsory are usually read by two acolytes, one answering to the other, or by an acolyte and the hebdomadary; it may also be recited by a group. The method of recitation is not prescribed.

Restitution, n.; L., O.Fr. The reparation of the violated right or material losses of another. The obligation to make restitution rests on one who has done injury to another's life or body, his wife, his goods, or his good name.

Resurrection, n.; L, O.Fr. Reanimation of the body by again uniting the soul and body of a person after death, (1) The historical truth and the greatest of Christ's miracles, which is the fact that He died and came to life again and which incontestabiy proves His divinity. The feast of the Resurrection or Easter. (2) The resurrection of the body of man, which means that the dead shall live again in their bodies after the general resurrection; the uniting of the dead body with the immortal soul after which the person will live in either heaven or hell.

Retreat, n.; L., O.Fr. A time set aside in which a person places himself under a spiritual di- rector to receive the guidance of spiritual exercises and admonitions and make a confession of his sins for his spiritual good. Such spiritual exercises consist of the consideration of the meaning and purpose of life and the perfection of living.

Revealed Law, n.; L. The divine positive law. The doctrinal, moral, and ceremonial law promulgated by Christ the Supreme Lawgiver and contained in the New Testament of the Bible and in divine tradition (sometimes called the New Law). It also includes the power given to the Church by Christ to form ordinances necessary for discipline or divine worship, which are called ecclesiastical laws. (Cf. Eternal law.)

Revelation, n; L. (1)The manifestation of truth to men on the part of God after the manner of a teacher; this may he recorded for all men, e.g., the revelation of Sacred Scriptures; the revealing of certain truths to individuals, called private revelations, for the spiritual good of the individual or for the particular intention of God. (2) Book ofthe title of the Apocalypse in Protestant versions of the Bible.

Reverend, n. or adj.; L., O.Fr. One worthy of respect. The tide of address accorded to priests and other clerics. Also to choir-nuns and sisters having the title of "Mother."

Rheims-Douay, n.; Fr. The places at which Dr. Gregory Martin and others made the translation of the Bible bearing that name; the most commonly used version of the Bible among English speaking Catholics.

Riddels, n.pl.; A.S. Curtains hung at the sides of the altar. (Cf. Dossal.)

Rigorism, n-; L., O.Fr. The system of moral theology which says the law must always be followed except when it is certain that one is free to act otherwise; that system of moral theology directly opposed to laxism. It was condemned in the seventeenth century. (Cf. Tutiorism; Equiprobabalism, Probabalism.)

Ring, n.; A.S. A band of metal, usually gold or silver, worn on the ringer. The ring is used in the Church: (a) as a part of the insignia of a bishop, an abbot, or abbess; (b) by nuns or sisters to denote their consecration to God and their mystical marriage with Christ, (c) The wedding ring marks the betrothal and marriage of a man and woman, (d) The "ring of the fisherman" is the signet ring or private seal of the Pope. (e) A plain gold ring is sometimes conferred on Doctors of Theology, but this is not worn at liturgical functions.

Rite, n.; L. (1) A religious ceremony or function, e.g., the rite of blessing palms, (2) The manner in which services in worship of God are conducted in the Christian church. (3) An entire liturgy, e.g., the Roman rite. The liturgy comprises the ceremonies, actions, and language. The various languages of the several liturgical rites in which the Mass is said are nine; namely, Latin, Greek, Syrian, Coptic, Armenian, Arabic, Slavonic, Georgian, and Rumanian.

Rites (Congregation of), n.pl.; L. The Roman Congregation which (a) prescribes the uniformity of manner of divine worship in the Church; (b) and has direct charge of the processes of the beatification and canonization of saintly persons. (Cf. Congregations.)

Ritual, n.; L. A book containing the forms to be observed by priests for the administration of the sacraments, blessing of objects, exorcisms, etc. In Latin: Rituale Romanum. The last traditional edition was the revision of 1952.

Rochet, n.; O.Fr. A vestment resembling a surplice worn by bishops and abbots, made of linen, ornamented with lace, and having closely fitting sleeves.

Rogation Days, n.pl.; Gr., L., O.Fr. The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Thursday which are days of supplication and on which the Litany of the Saints is chanted in procession; the name is derived from the Greek word for litany.

Roman Collar, adj. & n.; L. A stiffly starched upright white collar whose opening is fastened at the back of the neck; a distinctive mark of a cleric or priest as a part of his public attire.

Roman Missal, n. The liturgical book written in Latin which contains the rules to be followed, the prayers to be recited, and the acts to be accomplished in the celebration of Mass according to the Roman rite. (Cf. Missal. It was codified by Pope St. Pius V. in 1570 at the Council of Trent, and the rites contained in this liturgical book are to celebrated in perpetuity as per the bull Quo Primum,.

Roman Rite, adj. & n.; L. The authentic and prescribed liturgy of the Latin Church; that liturgy practiced by the Holy See.

Rome, n.; L. The capitol city of Italy, commonly called the center of Christianity; the city within which the Vatican State is located.

Rood, n.; A.S. (1) The cross of Christ. (2) A large crucifix, usually with the figures of the Blessed Mother and St. John; a group representation of Calvary.

Rood-screen, n.; A.S., O.Fr. The wooden screen or partition which separates the choir from the nave in a church.

Rorate Sunday (Ror-rar-tay), n.; L. The fourth Sunday of Advent, so called from the first word of the Introit of the Mass.

Rosary, n.; L. The chain and numerous beads which form a chaplet or endless chain for reciting prayers in a given sequence. The name applied to the prayer consisting of fifteen decades of "Hail Marys," each decade having an "Our Father" preceding and a "Glory be to the Father" following. This chaplet usually has in addition three small beads for the "Hail Marys" and one bead for the "Our Father" which precede the prayer, and to this short chain there is generally attached a crucifix. Mysteries are contemplated during the saying of each decade, which mysteries are the five sorrowful, the five Joyful, and the five glorious.

Rose Window, n.; L, A.S. A circular window of stained glass with delicate tracery resembling the petal form of a rose, usually seen in Gothic churches on the facade which forms the rear wall of the nave.

Rota, n.; L. The ordinary tribunal or court of the Roman Curia; it also serves as a court of appeal for all diocesan courts of the world.

Rubrics, n.pl.; L., O.Fr. In liturgical books, the direction or rules of actions to be observed in the celebration of Mass, the recitation of the Divine Office, the administration of the sacraments, etc.; as the name implies, they are printed in red.

Rule, n.; L., O.Fr. The order and regulation of life followed by members of particular religious groups. There are four basic rules: (a) of St. Basil; (b) of St. Augustine; of (c)St. Benedict; (d) of St. Francis. All other rules are drawn largely from these original four.

Ruth, n.; Heb., Bib. An historical book of the Old Testament bearing that name. Named after the wife of the Jew, Booz; she was an ancestor of Christ.

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