Pontifical

Pontifical, from the Latin pontificalis, is an adjective used to describe anything connected with the office of a prelate, usually a bishop or an abbot. It is often used in connection with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and bearer of the old Roman title Pontifex Maximus. When used substantively, it can refer to a number of ecclesiastical institutions and practices.

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A Roman Catholic liturgical book which contains the rites for the performance of episcopal functions (e.g. conferring of confirmation and Holy orders), with the exception of Mass and Divine Office is called a pontifical in English. It is practically an episcopal ritual, containing formularies and rubrics which existed in the old sacramentaries and "Ordines Romani", and were gradually collected together to form one volume for the greater convenience of the officiating bishop. In medieval times, collections were known under the names of Liber Sacramentorum, Liber Officialis, Liber Pontificalis, Ordinarium Episcopale or Benedictionale.

Latin: Latin is an Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. It gained great importance as the formal language of the Roman Empire. All Romance languages are descended from Latin, and many words based on Latin are found in other modern languages such as English. The ...

Prelate: A prelate is a member of the clergy who either has ordinary jurisdiction over a group of people or ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, "to prefer," suggesting that the prelate is preferred over other clergy....

Bishop: A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority....

Pontifical related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Pontifical Mass Or the Procession