Absolution
to loosen; the sacramental forgiveness of sins
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God
Alleluia
song of praise used to introduce the Gospel during Mass
Anti-Semitism
blaming the Jews for Jesus' death
Apostle
messenger or envoy
Apostolic Succession
founded upon the apostles, holds fast their Traditions, governed by their successors
Baptism of desire
The way to salvation for men who have had no opportunity to learn about Christ and the Faith but seek God sincerely and live according to their conscience
Canon
authoritative collection of Sacred Scripture in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible
Catechumenate
to instruct and to teach by word of mouth
Celibacy
personal commitment to live in the unmarried state for the sake of the kingdom of heaven
Charisms
name for the gratuitous Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Chrism
This sacramental is a symbol of joy, strength, and health
Church
Consists of those called together from all nations who through Baptism belong to the Body of Christ
Confirmation
This sacrament completes Baptism
Consecration
a solemn act of making something holy
Creationism
concept that the way the world came about was as if the book of Genesis were an eyewitness account
Deacon
an ordained man, can marry, preach, and baptize people
Dogma
An article of faith proclaimed by a council or the Pope
Doxology
The solemn, formulaic, laudatory conclusion of a prayer
Ecclesial Communities
Christian communities that have formed from the Protestant Reformation that have only kept Baptism and marriage as sacraments
Ecumenism
Efforts to unify the divided Christians
Ecumenical council
Assembly of bishops from all over the world
Eucharist
means thanksgiving and is the source and summit of the Christian life
Evangelical Counsels
ways we can imitate Jesus by living poverty, unmarried chastity, and obedience
Evolution
From a Christian perspective this is God's continuous creation in natural processes
Ex Cathedra
What the Pope speaks from when he has something important to say about Faith and Morals
Excommunication
the exclusion of a Catholic from the sacraments
Ex opere operato
The sacraments are effective on the basis of the sacramental action that is carried out, independent of the moral conduct of the minister
General absolution
a non personal confession that a priest can give in extreme circumstances
General Judgement
the universal judgement of the entire human race at the end of the world
Genesis
The creation of world and man
Gloria
This is taken from the joyful song of the angels, heard by the shepherds on Christmas night and included in the Mass
Hierarchy
Jesus is the head, then the Pope, then the bishops, etc.
Holiness
to love unconditionally and mercifully in a helping and healing way up to perfection in the Cross and Resurrection
Immaculate Conception
Preserved immune from all stain of original sin
Incarnation
The Son of God became man in Jesus Christ
Jesus
means "God saves
Kyrie Eleison
This ancient cry of homage was carried over the Greek liturgy without translating it
Liturgical Year
This superimposes the mysteries of the life of Christ on the normal course of the year
Liturgy
People of God, participating in the "Work of God", the official divine worship of the church
Liturgy of the Hours
The universal public prayer of the Church
Magisterium
the Church's teaching authority
Mission
This is Jesus' mandate to all Christians to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed
Moral Evil
Hell on earth" that comes about through the misuse of freedom in the world
Mystery
A reality that in principle eludes rational knowledge
Parousia
Christ's second coming at the Last Judgement
Particular Judgement
Judgment was given to every person individually when they die
Paschal Mystery
The redemptive effect of Jesus' Death and Resurrection
Penance
making restitution or satisfaction for a wrong that has been committed
Pentecost
Originally a feast on which Israel celebrated the establishment of the covenant with God on Mt.Sinai
Physical Evil
A birth defect or natural catastrophe
Reconciliation
another name for the sacrament of penance
Religious Freedom
The ability to worship freely
Revelation
God opens Himself, shows Himself, and speaks to the world voluntarily
Sanctus
holy
Theotokos
God-bearer
Transubstantiation
This mystery explains how Christ can be truly present under the appearance of bread and wine
Universal Priesthood
All baptized Christians are included in this; we are called to work in the world in God's name
Viaticum
The last holy communion someone receives before dying
Yahweh
I am who I am