Spotlight On Words: Dulia, Hyperdulia and Latria

Dulia, Hyperdulia & Latria

There are three levels of reverence that we in this life offer.

Dulia - The kind and degree of honor or veneration given to angels and saints. From the Greek root meaning "slavery" or, more broadly, "respect." Dulia is governed by ecclesiastical authority, and distinguished from hyperdulia and latria.

Hyperdulia - As its Greek roots suggest, hyperdulia is above and beyond the dulia. Hyperdulia, or extended praise, is reserved to Our Lady alone because of her role in salvation history.

Latria - This term is derived from a Greek root meaning "service," but in Christian thought, latria has come to denote specifically that kind and degree of praise which is reserved for God alone.

*It should also be observed that the ultimate form of veneration of God is adoration expressed in sacrifice, and that the Sacrifice of the Mass is the most perfect sacrifice which can be offered to God. This form of worship in sacrifice, then, is known as latreutic worship and falls under the strict regulation of Church authority.

Terms that may refer to either latria or dulia include: "veneration," "to honor," "to praise." Gestures applied to latria and dulia include: kissing an image, using incense, making the sign of the cross, bowing the head, bowing at the waist, laying flowers, lighting votive candles et cetera.

Further Information:

Dulia (Catholic Encyclopedia)

Latria (Catholic Encyclopedia)

Information for this glossary entry was taken from the following sources:

Our Sunday Visitor's Catholic Encyclopedia, Revised Edition, 1998. Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices, 2003. Wikipedia (Catholic Devotions), accessed June 2007.