Understanding Catholic Terms and Concepts

Catholic Terms and Concepts

• Catholic: Meaning: Universal
• Spirituality: Growing in a loving relationship with God
• Ecumenism: Movement toward unity among Christians and Christian churches
• Transubstantiation: Doctrine of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
• Conscience: A person's ability to judge right and wrong
• Assumption: Mary's taking into Heaven at the end of her earthly life
• Magisterium: Church's teaching authority on faith and morals
• Catechumenate: Process of preparing people for the Church
• Trinity: One God in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); central to Christian faith
• Incarnation: Mystery of the Son of God becoming man
• Martyrs: Persons who died for their faith
• Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
• Tradition: Church beliefs and practices passed down, interpreting Scripture
• Rationalism and Ecumenism: Two central concepts of Catholic Social Teaching
• Nicene Creed: Summary of essential Christian beliefs
• Paschal Mystery: Jesus' suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension
• Mass: Celebration of the Lord's Day and Eucharist; the most important act of worship for Catholic communities
• Greatest Commandment: Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; love your neighbor as yourself
• Pentecost Sunday: 50 days after Easter; birth of the Church
• Transfiguration: Jesus revealed as both human and divine; Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus
• Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick
• Covenant: Pact between God and His people; promise of love
• Theological Virtues: Faith, hope, charity (love)
• Immaculate Conception: Mary conceived without sin, chosen as Jesus' mother

Additional Religious Terms

• Holy Spirit: The "energy" part of the Trinity, giving us gifts to act on God's call

• Sacramental: Signs, symbols, blessings (non-sacramental) for growth in holiness

• Sin: Deliberately choosing to offend God

• Ten Commandments: Fundamental moral laws from God recorded in the Old Testament

• Colors of the Liturgical Year: Blue/purple (Advent), purple (Lent), gold/white (Christmas), white/gold (Easter), green (Ordinary Time)

• Vatican II: Most recently held Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church

• Post-Flood Covenant: God's promise of non-destruction by water

• The Lord's Prayer: Not a commandment

• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: First American-born saint

• Abraham: Father of God's Chosen People

• The Bible: Collection of books under God's inspiration

• Human Dignity/ Likeness of God: Humans are made in God's image, set over creation for care

• Beatitudes: Eight characteristics of discipleship; promises of blessings for faithful following

• Life Begins: At conception

• Discipleship: Following Jesus Christ faithfully

• Mass Focus: Jesus' sacrifices for salvation

• Evangelization: Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ

• Blessed Sacrament: Adoring Jesus present in the Eucharist

• Vocation: God's call to serve Him and others, embracing holiness

• Holy Communion Obligation: Receiving during the Easter season

• Communion of Saints: Union of living and dead believers in Christ

• Deacon's Role: Proclaiming the Gospel

• Pope: Highest teaching authority in the Church, with bishops

• Common Good: Involvement and concern for the well-being of all

• Confirmation: Anointed with Holy Spirit; spiritual seal

• Prayer Expressions: Vocal, meditation, contemplative

• Feast of the Ascension: Jesus going to heaven

• The Magnificat: Virgin Mary's canticle (Luke 1:46-55)

• Kingdom of God: Central theme of Jesus’ mission

• Parish Involvement: All baptized members are obligated

• Prodigal Son: God's offer of forgiveness

• St. Joseph: Husband of Mary, Jesus' foster father

• Prophets (Bible): Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah

• Immaculate Conception: An example of infallible teaching in the Church

• Prayer Definition: Lifting minds and hearts to God

• Divine and Natural Law: Law described in the excerpt

• Lit Sanctuary Lamp: Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

• Canon Law: Church laws for organization and government

• Papal Law: Decrees or regulations from the Pope

• Divine Law: Law enacted by God through revelation

• Thomas Aquinas: Church's greatest theologian and philosopher

• Soul: Spiritual principle that reflects God

• Free Will: Ability to choose without coercion

• Decalogue: Another name for the Ten Commandments

• Intellect: Capacity for thought, reasoning, judgment

• Moses: Leading God's people out of Egypt, receiving the Ten Commandments

• Law: Guiding recognition of evil and guiding away from it

• Natural Law: Universal law applying to all humans

• Revealed Law: Guidance on choices

• Jeremiah: Prophet reminding God of replacing hardened hearts

• Church Councils: Passing on Tradition, teaching the Faith

• Faith: Gift from God, free human response

• Church: Community of baptized believers following Jesus

• Virtue: Strong habit of doing good, making good moral decisions

• Ordination: Apostles' commissioning for ministry, Church leadership

• Doctrines: Church writing central for living faith

• Tradition and Scripture: Source of God's revelation

• Holiness: Becoming God-like, living with God's love

• Intellect and Free Will: Uniqueness of humans made in God's image

• Angel: Messenger from God

• Angel Michael: Leader in heavenly battle (Revelation)

• Church Characteristics: One, holy, catholic, apostolic

• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Honor to Jesus in Eucharist

• Grace: God's free gift of adoption

• Baptism: Baptism in the name of Trinity; sharing in Jesus' roles; permanent spiritual seal

• Three Offices of Christ: Priest, prophet, king(roles)

• Ekklessia: Greek/Hebrew word meaning "those called together"

• Third Commandment: Requirement to observe the Lord's Day

• Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Examples like charity, joy, peace

• "The Rock": Peter

• Lazarus: Resurrected by Jesus

• Apostles: Jesus' closest followers

• Stephen: First martyr

• Peter, James, and John: Disciples who prayed with Jesus