CATHOLIC WORD BOOK - Knights of Columbus, Supreme Council

known examples of vows are those of
poverty, chastity and obedience professed
by religious (See Evangelical Counsels,
individual entries). Public vows are made
before a competent person, acting as an
agent of the Church, who accepts the
profession in the name of the Church,
thereby giving public recognition to the
person’s dedication and consecration to
God and divine worship. Vows of this kind
are either solemn, rendering all contrary
acts invalid as well as unlawful; or simple,
rendering contrary acts unlawful. Solemn
vows are for life; simple vows are for a
definite period of time or for life. Vows
professed without public recognition by
the Church are called private vows. The
Church, which has authority to accept and
give public recognition to vows, also has
authority to dispense persons from their
obligations for serious reasons.
Witness, Christian: Practical testimony or
evidence given by Christians of their faith
in all circumstances of life — by prayer
and general conduct, through good
example and good works, etc.; being and
acting in accordance with Christian belief;
actual practice of the Christian faith.
Zeal: The expression of charity that
permits one to serve God and others fully
with the objective of furthering the
Mystical Body of Christ.
Zucchetto: A small skullcap worn by
ecclesiastics, most notably prelates and
derived from the popular Italian
vernacular term zucca, meaning a
pumpkin, and used as slang for head. The
Holy Father wears a white zucchetto made
of watered silk; cardinals use scarlet, and
bishops use purple. Priests of the
monsignorial rank may wear black with
purple piping. All others may wear simple
black.
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