What does concelebrate mean?
Concelebrate is a verb that means to celebrate a sacrament, such as the Eucharist, together with another priest or bishop. This practice is common in Catholic and some Eastern Orthodox traditions, where it is seen as a way to emphasize the unity of the church. In other Christian denominations, concelebration may be less common or even prohibited. The word has its roots in the Latin words 'con' and 'celebrare,' meaning 'together' and 'to celebrate,' respectively. Concelebrate is often used in formal or liturgical contexts, and its connotation is one of unity and shared worship. As a useful word, concelebrate can help to clarify the nuances of Christian worship and tradition.
verbTo celebrate a sacrament, such as the Eucharist, together with another priest or bishop.
- To celebrate a sacrament, such as the Eucharist, together with another priest or bishop.
"The two priests concelebrated the Mass, their voices rising in unison as they recited the prayers."
"The two priests concelebrated the Mass, their voices rising in unison as they recited the prayers."
"In some Christian traditions, concelebration is seen as a way to emphasize the unity of the church."
The plural form is used to describe multiple priests or bishops concelebrating a sacrament.
"The priests concelebrated the Mass, their voices rising in unison as they recited the prayers."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of concelebrate
The word 'concelebrate' comes from the Latin 'concelebrare,' which is derived from 'con' and 'celebrare.' 'Con' means 'together,' while 'celebrare' means 'to celebrate.' The Latin phrase was first used in the 14th century to describe the practice of celebrating the Eucharist together with another priest or bishop. Over time, the word has been adopted into various languages, including English, where it is used to describe this specific practice in Christian worship.
How concelebrate is actually used
In Catholic and some Eastern Orthodox traditions, concelebration is a common practice, while in other Christian denominations it may be less common or even prohibited.