A to C | D to Z

Desert : secluded location, usually in thick forests, where a monk found solitude for meditation.

Girdle : rope belt, with attached crucifix.

Grange : Farm worked by hired labour and supervised by a Lay Brother.

General Chapter : annual meeting of the heads of all abbeys.

Habit : the loose robe worn by all monks.

Hospitaller : looked after the guest house - no visitor to the abbey was denied hospitality.

Insignia : general word for ceremonial clothing and objects.

Infirmarian : in charge of medical care, particularly herbal medicine.

Lavatorium : Trough with running water where the monks washed their hands before meals.

Mitre : ceremonial hat worn by abbot (or bishop).

Novice : a beginner; someone who has recently joined a monastery. Novice monks spent two or three years in training, before deciding whether to take their final vows.

Obedientiary : monk with particular administrative responsibilities.

Precentor : in charge of music; the abbey choirmaster.

Prior : Second in command in the monastery after the abbot. When the abbot has a heavy duty (inside or outside the abbey), the prior takes responsibility for the daily administration.

Sacrist : looked after the monastery's treasures, and vestments.

Tonsure : shaved hairstyle, leaving a circle of hair (like a crown of thorns).

Vestments : ceremonial clothing worn sometimes during church services.