Novice
A trainee in a religious order or community who typically has already trained as a postulant.
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Glossary
An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church
Glossary definitions adapted from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, edited by Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY.
Novitiate
Period of training of novices in a monastery or religious community.
Nun
A female member of a religious order typically living a vowed life of poverty, chastity, and obedience in community.
Oakerhater, David Pendleton
A Cheyenne warrior and spiritual leader also known as O-kuh-ha-tuh and Making Medicine, Oakerhater was ordained deacon in 1881 and was a missionary to the Cheyenne Nation of Oklahoma in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Feast day: Sept. 1.
Oblate
A lay person who maintains a close committed relationship with a religious community, without taking full religious vows.
Oblation
An offering, generally of money, symbolizing the offering of ourselves, our lives, and our labor to Christ.
Offertory
The portion of the Eucharist when the bread and wine is ceremonially placed on the altar. A collection of money customarily is presented at the same time.
Officiant
Person who leads the Daily Office or another church service.
Open Communion
The practice of inviting all baptized Christians to receive the Eucharist, regardless of denomination or church membership.
Ordinand
The term referring to the person being ordained at an ordination ceremony.