Catholic Terms and Definitions

Sometimes we use words that are not familiar to everyone, especially if they have not been raised in the Catholic faith. Let’s take the mystery out of the communication. Below are some of the terms we might use when discussing faith and religion.

Advent The four-week season to Christmas; a time of preparation for the Feast of ’s birth.

Baptism The first of the seven that is recognized by the Catholic . is a ceremony in which an individual is welcomed as a member of the Church. Children are typically baptized shortly after birth, but often older children or adults will choose to be baptized.

Bishop A man that is ordained by the to oversee all the parishes in a specific area. Luc Bouchard is the Bishop of St. Paul; the communities of Morinville and Legal fall in the Diocese of St. Paul. Richard Smith is the Archbishop of Edmonton, of which St. Albert is a part.

Blessed Another name for the , the bread and wine that are reserved after mass.

Catechism A summary of what the Church teaches about faith and morals. The Church has an official Catechism of the Catholic Church, summarized in book form.

Catechist One who teaches others about the Catholic faith; religious education teachers, for example

Communion of The spiritual union of all those who believe in Christ and, through Christ’s death and resurrection, have been saved from sin and death; includes those who have died and those who are still living

Confession Telling one’s sins to a priest; part of the sacrament of Reconciliation

Confirmation The sacrament, usually received between Grades 6 and 8, when a child receives a special blessing of the . Usually, the Bishop of the area leads the ceremony and anoints the children with the holy oil. Everyone present prays for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: courage, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, reverence, awe and wonder, and right judgment.

Conscience That God-given part of our inner being that helps us know what is morally wrong or right.

Deacon The third degree of the Sacrament of . The higher degrees or positions are those of priest and bishop. are ordained to assist priests and in a variety of ministries. Permanent deacons do not seek the priesthood and can be married

Devotion An activity or practice that expresses one’s love for God. It is not a necessary part of the Catholic faith, but a means of prayer. The and the Stations of the Cross are examples.

Doctrine An official teaching of the Church, for example, the Apostles or the Church’s teaching on the Mary and her role in God’s plan

Dogma Those teachings that are recognized as central to Church teaching, such as our belief that Mary ascended to heaven, body and soul, upon her death.

Evangelization Telling others about Christ, his life and teachings, using words as well as teaching by example

Genuflection Touching one knee to the ground as a sign of reverence (respect) before the Blessed Sacrament, that is, the bread that has become Jesus’ Body.

Holy Communion Another name for the Eucharist: the Body and Blood of Christ, usually received at mass

Holy Orders One of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, by which members of the Church are ordained for permanent ministry in the Church as bishops, priests, or deacons

Immaculate Conception The Catholic teaching that the Blessed Virgin Mary was free from sin from the moment of her conception

Laity All members of the Church, except for those ordained as priests, bishops, and deacons

Lent The season of forty days that begins with Ash Wednesday (usually in February) and ends with Holy Thursday. With an emphasis on prayer, fasting, and giving to those in need, it is a time of preparation for Easter.

Liturgical year The year-long cycle of religious feasts and seasons that are celebrated, beginning with the season of Advent each year

Liturgy Literally means ‘public work of the people’; it refers to the gathering of the faithful for public worship; includes the celebration of the Mass

Lord’s Prayer Another name for the Our Father

Mass Another name for the Eucharist, celebrated daily in our local churches, but most importantly on Saturday evenings and Sundays, when the faithful gather for public worship

Original sin The sin by which the first humans (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God and thereby lost their original holiness

Parish A specific community of believers who are guided by a priest; e.g.

Paschal Mystery The term that refers to the entire process of God’s plan of by which God redeemed humanity from sin in and through Jesus’ life, death, Resurrection and Ascension into glory

Pope The head of the Catholic Church; the bishop of elected by other bishops; often called the Holy Father or the .

Priest The second degree or order in the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The priest serves the parish community by assisting the bishop in teaching, governing and presiding over the community’s worship.

Reconciliation One of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church; also known as the Sacrament of or the Sacrament of Confession

Repentance An attitude of sorrow for a sin committed and a desire not to sin again; turning away from sin and towards God

Rosary A popular devotion to Mary, the Mother of God; also refers to the circle of stringed beads that help us keep track of the prayers that are part of this devotion

Sacrament Refers to the seven signs or ways by which we receive God’s grace, instituted by Christ; includes Baptism, , Eucharist, Reconciliation, , Marriage, and Holy Orders

Scriptures writings; refers to the writings in the that are recognized as the Word of God

Tabernacle The box-like container in a church where the consecrated bread – the – is kept in reserve for the sick and the dying, and for adoration

Trinity Refers to the Three Persons in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Christian mystery that is at the core of our faith

Vocation A call from God to all members of the Church to live a life of holiness; refers as well to a call to live the holy life as an ordained minister (bishop, priest, ), a religious (sister or ), a married person, or a single person.