by G. M. Dyrek
63 Codices: A bound booklet, or small journal.
64 Sacristy: A room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept or meetings are held sometimes referred to as the Vestry.
65 Chancel: The part of the church including the altar and choir.
66 Confirma hoc Deus: In English, it requests like a refrain, “Confirm in us, O God.” in part taken from Psalms 68.
67 Collects: Short prayers comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion.
68 Mass: A sequence of prayers and ceremonies forming the Eucharistic office of the Roman Catholic Church.
69 Eucharist: Communion, a Christian sacrament in which bread and wine are partaken of as the body and blood of the crucified Christ, in remembrance of His supreme sacrifice.
70 Biers: A stand or pallet bearing a coffin or corpse.
71 Censer: A vessel for burning incense in a religious ritual.
72 Rule of St. Benedict: A set of rules which governed medieval monastic life, the main ones include: chastity, poverty and obedience.
73 Psaltery: A stringed-musical instrument, an ancient harp that may be plucked or played with a plectrum or pick.
74 Porter: The gatekeeper at the monastery.
75 Nave: The central part of the church running lengthwise.
76 Forecourt: The front entrance to the church.
77 Scimitar: A curved sword used by Arabs.
78 Retrochoir: Situated behind the monks’ choir, this was the area for the elder brothers who weren’t expected to follow the rigid routines of the community.
79 Nones: Office of Prayers said between 2 to 3 p.m.
80 Amo, amas, amat, amamos, amatis, amant: Latin conjugations for “I love, you love, he loves, we love, you love, they love.”
81 Vexilla Regis Prodeunt: Ancient Roman hymn to the True Cross of Christ dating back to the 6th Century.
82 “O hail the cross, our only hope, in this Passiontide! Grant increase of grace to believers, and remove the sins of the guilty.”
83 Compline: The Office of Prayers said around 6 p.m.
84 Opus Dei: A musical composition in Latin sung in praise of our Holy Father.
85 Precentor: A leader in the reading of the scripture.
86 Apiary: A location where the Apiarist, the beekeeper, works to collect honey and beeswax for making candles.
87 Prie-dieu: A small prayer desk he used for his own private devotionals.
88 Matins: The Office of prayers said at 3 a.m.
89 Magistrate: An official entrusted with administration of the laws.
90 Burghers: Prominent townspeople, like the wealthy merchants and landowners.
91 Ruse: A wily trick.
92 Banshees: Female spirits in Gaelic folklore whose wailing warns a family of an approaching death.
93 Capon: Roasted rooster, considered a delicacy at the time.
94 Pater Nosters: Latin for “Our Father” used in liturgical daily prayers.
95 Adam’s Curse: “And to the man He said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife you have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, saying, you shall not eat from it, cursed shall be the ground because of you; in sorrow you shall eat of it all the days of your life. And thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plant of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground; for out of it you have been taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.’” (Genesis 3:17-19)