The perfect resource to explain christian church symbolism. If you are new to liturgical worship, through conversion or rediscovery, you may find yourself surrounded by images and traditions that are totally foreign to your experience of church. This thorough guide uses understandable language to explain the signs, symbols, gestures, vestments, calendar, and architectural and sacramental elements of the liturgy. With clarity and insight, Patricia Klein explores the meaning of these time-honored traditions, as well as their historical and biblical roots. New to this edition are expanded sections on liturgical colors, pre-Lenten traditions, the Last Things, saints’ feast days, and symbols of Easter, martyrdom, saints, and the Virgin Mary; as well as entirely new sections on symbols of sin and temptation, and Old Testament saints and their symbols in art and architecture. Now in an expanded second edition, Worship Without Words: The Signs and Symbols of Our Faith is a solid quick-reference guide to terms, symbols, clothing, titles, and more used in Christian liturgical worship. From dictionary-like sections that spell out definitions with visual aid from simple black-and-white-pictures, to the cycles and holidays of the liturgical year, to lessons and books of worship, the concept of hte body of Christ, vestments, and more, Worship Without Words is an excellent primer for anyone new to liturgical worship whether through conversion or rediscovery. A reader-friendly, highly accessible resource. Also highly recommended is author Patricia S. Klein's "A Year With C.S. Lewis." Midwest Book Review July 2007 Worship Without Words By Patricia S. Klein Paraclete Press (MA) Copyright © 2007 Patricia S. Klein All right reserved. ISBN: 9781557255044 Chapter One Sacred Places, Sacred Spaces When you step through the doorway of a church you are leaving the outer world behind and entering an inner world. The outside world is a fair place abounding in life and activity, but also a place with a mingling of the base and ugly. It is a sort of marketplace, crossed and recrossed by all and sundry. Perhaps "unholy" is not quite the word for it, yet there is something profane about the world. Behind the church doors is an inner place, separated from the market place, a silent, consecrated and holy spot. It is very certain that the whole world is the work of God and His gift to us, that we may meet Him anywhere, that everything we receive is from God's hand, and, when received religiously, is holy. Nevertheless men have always felt that certain precincts were in a special manner set apart and dedicated to God. (Romano Guardini) ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS Ecclesiastical buildings are divided into two classes:churches and oratories. church. A house of God, dedicated exclusively for publicworship. A sacred building dedicated to divine worshipfor the use of all the faithful and the public exercise ofreligion. There are five kinds of churches: · basilica. A rectangular church with a semicircular apse and narthex copied after the ancient Roman justice hall. It is especially designed for large congregations. Also the title given to specific Roman Catholic churches to which the pope has granted particular ceremonial privileges. · cathedral. The chief church of a diocese where the bishop's throne (or cathedra , which is the Latin word for "seat") is situated. · collegiate or conventual. A public place of worship served by a community of regular clergy (canons regular, monks, or friars). · metropolitan. A church presided over by an archbishop. · parochial. A parish church, with a baptismal font, a confessional, and a cemetery, and the liturgical equipment necessary for baptisms, marriages, and funerals. oratory. A place of worship not intended for the use ofall the faithful indiscriminately. These can be a publicoratory, which is used by a religious community primarily,with limited access by the public; a semipublic oratory,which is intended for use by a special community and isnot open to the public; and a private oratory, which is asmall chapel or a room set apart for worship in a privatehouse for the use of the family or an individual. OTHER ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES catacomb. An underground cave or tunnel the earlyChristians used for burial and as a meeting place duringthe time of Roman persecutions. manse. The residence of the clergy, particularly in thePresbyterian Church. May also be called parsonage,rectory, vicarage , or presbytery (Roman Catholic). mission. An establishment of missionaries, which mayinclude a church, a station, a school, a hospital, andother facilities from which the missionaries do outreachwork. May also refer to a local parish or church that isdependent on a larger church or religious organizationfor financial support or direction. shrine. A building or other shelter that encloses theremains or relics of a saint or other holy person, becominga site of relig