offertory

[ aw-fer-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, of-er- ]

noun

, plural of·fer·to·ries.

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) the offering of the unconsecrated elements that is made to God by the celebrant in a Eucharistic service.
2. Ecclesiastical.
   1. the verses, anthem, or music said, sung, or played while the offerings of the people are received at a religious service.
   2. that part of a service at which offerings are made.
   3. the offerings themselves.

offertory

/ ˈɒfətərɪ /

noun

1. the oblation of the bread and wine at the Eucharist
2. the offerings of the worshippers at this service
3. the prayers said or sung while the worshippers' offerings are being received

Other Words From

• offer·tori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of offertory¹

1350–1400; Middle English offertorie < Medieval Latin offertōrium place to which offerings are brought, offering, oblation, equivalent to Latin offer ( re ) ( offer ) + -tōrium -tory ²; oblation

Word History and Origins

Origin of offertory¹

C14: from Church Latin offertōrium place appointed for offerings, from Latin offerre to offer

Example Sentences

The service itself incorporated many Indigenous elements and peoples, including an emotional moment when a woman in Native dress wept in front of Francis as she brought him the offertory gifts.

From Washington Times

However, through the fall, offertories have been off around 10 percent.

From Washington Post

There are similar challenges in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., where in-person attendance is roughly a quarter of pre-pandemic levels and offertory revenue is down about 10% after plunging 30% early in the outbreak.

From Seattle Times

In its federal bankruptcy court filing, the diocese said that about 40 percent of its annual revenue typically comes from offertory collections at its parishes.

From New York Times

Documents filed with the bankruptcy court on Thursday show that COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions led to smaller offertory collections at the 135 parishes on Long Island since March.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• allowance
• award
• benefit
• bonus
• contribution
• donation
• endowment
• favor
• giveaway
• grant
• legacy
• offering
• premium
• present
• relief
• reward
• souvenir
• subsidy
• tip
• tribute