Catholicism Glossary: H

habit: Religious garb.

Heaven: A place of eternal joy and the ecstasy of dwelling with God.

Hell: A place of eternal torment and damnation.

Holy Communion; Holy Eucharist: The essential sacrament of Catholicism in which a host consecrated by a priest becomes literally the body and blood of Jesus and is received by the Catholic faithful.

holy day of obligation: A day in the Catholic calendar when all Catholics must attend Mass.

homily: The sermon given after the Gospel is read at Mass. Different than a sermon in that it’s a explanation and reflection on the Word of God, read only by clergy.

host: A wafer of bread used in a Eucharistic service. It becomes the Host (capitalized) when consecrated.