CANON, again, is used for the catalogue of saints acknowledged and canonized in the Roman church.
CANON is also used, by way of excellence, in the Romish church, for the secret words of the mass, from the preface to the Pater; in the middle of which the priest consecrates the host. The common opinion is, that the canon of the mass commences with Te igitur, &c. The people are to be on their knees, hearing the canon; and are to rehearse it to themselves, so as not to be heard.