GLOSSARY OF RELIGIOUS TERMS

Active religious sisters (or brothers) whose main purpose was a communal life of charitable work and prayer (vita mixta or mixed life). Active religious were only recognised as true ‘religious’ by Canon Law in 1917. Adoration of the Blessed Prayer to Christ who was thought to be present Sacrament in the Sacrament of the Host, which is displayed on the altar. Apostolate the work of an apostle, i.e. all sorts of endeavor for the service of God, the Church and people in distress. Ascetism religious discipline of the body, mind and soul, aimed at spiritual purity through a rigorous and often stifl ing regime. Bishop the chief priest of a diocese. Bride of Christ many sister congregations celeb rated the inau- guration of a candidate with a spiritual wedding ceremony. The sister entered the chapel dressed as a Bride, to be wedded to Christ. Canon Law a codifi ed body of laws governing the Catholic Church. The most recent edition is of 1983. Cardinal people, mostly bishops and incidentally a priest, who are appointed by the pope and aid as his councilor. Chapter of faults a regular meeting of sisters who lived in a con- vent and their superior, in which the sisters had to accuse themselves in public of offending the rule and constitutions. Chapter the group of elected sisters who once in 4 or 6 years choose the new superior general and her council sisters and advised on the general policy of the congregation. Cloistre the space in a monastery or convent that was reserved for the religious only. 390 glossary of religious terms

Congregation Religious congregations were distinguished from religious orders by the fact that members of the fi rst took solemn vows while members of the latter took simple vows. Religious congregations were organisations of active religious sisters or brothers who formed a community, shared one name, were bound together by a common rule, and under the authority of a bishop or the pope. The religious of one congregation did not neces- sarily live under the same roof, as a congregation could have various convents. Contemplatives Religious men or women whose main purpose was a communal life of praying, not of chari- table work. Convent a house in which a community of (active) sisters lived. Council each congregation was led b a superior general who was advised by a council of fellow sisters. Council sisters sisters who assisted the superior general. Divine Offi ce daily public prayer encouraged by the Church for religious and laity. Diocese a certain geographical area under the ecclesiasti- cal jurisdiction of a bishop. Superior general the religious leader of the congregation, elected (or Major Superior) by her fellow-sisters who were joined in the chapter. God in Christian theology God was conceptualised as one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (or Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Habit the religious dress of a sister, usually made of black and white elements. Each congregation had its characteristic habit, which underwent some changes in the course of time, and has been practically abolished by active sisters in the Netherlands since the 1960s. Holy Communion bread and wine that was consecrated in Holy Mass, eaten by the celebrant and distributed to the believers.