Defining Moments April 2007

Days of Prayer (DAYZ uhv PREHR): At these times, once called rogation days and ember days, the Church continues the custom of publicly thanking the Lord and prays to Him for the needs of all, especially for the productivity of the earth and for human labor. The general norms for the Calendar of the Liturgical Year promulgated in 1969 leave the time and manner of the celebration of these days to national episcopal conferences. The American Conference of Bishops in 1971 left the determination of such days to the local bishops, and since then they seem to have fallen into disuse.

Duties (DÖÖ-teez): The responsibilities, designating the “minimal” requirements of Catholics, which seek to inculcate the desire for spiritual growth, imposed by the Church on her members. Some of these moral and religious duties are to obey the Ten Commandments, to observe the Church's law concerning marriage, to receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season, etc.

Doxology (dahk-SAHL-uh-dzhee): (Greek doxologia, from doxa: glory + logos: word) Giving praise or glory to God in the liturgy. Traditionally, the Gloria at Mass has been called the greater doxology, while the prayer “Glory be to the Father. . .” is known as the lesser doxology.

De Congruo (day KAHN-gröö-o): (Latin: from suitability) The merit one gains when no reward was promised yet one is appropriate for the action performed. This reward is “in charity” because it comes from the giver's generosity and is not strictly deserved.