Program terms and definitions, with audio.
A
absolution
words spoken by the priest during the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to grant forgiveness of sins in God's name
angel
a type of spiritual being that does God’s work, such as delivering messages from God or helping to keep people safe from harm
Apostles the Twelve disciples Jesus chose to be his closest followers. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, they shared in his work and mission in a special way.
assembly the people gathered together for worship
B
Baptism
the Sacrament in which a person is immersed in water or has water poured on him or her. Baptism takes away Original Sin and all personal sin, and makes a person a child of God and a member of the Church.
Bible
the Word of God written in human words. The Bible is the holy book of the Church.
Blessed Sacrament
a name for the Holy Eucharist, especially the Body of Christ kept in the Tabernacle
Blessing blessing God who is the source of everything that is good
C
confession
another name for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation; an essential element of the Sacrament when you tell your sin to the priest
conscience
an ability given to us by God that helps us make choices about right and wrong
consecration through the power of the Holy Spirit and the words and actions of the priest, the gifts of bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus
creation everything made by God
creed
a statement of the Church's beliefs
D
disciples followers of Jesus who believe in him and live by his teachings
E
Eucharist the Sacrament in which Jesus shares himself and the bread and wine become his Body and Blood
examination of conscience
a prayerful way of thinking about how we have followed the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, and Church teachings
F
faith believing and trusting in God and all that he helps us understand about him. Faith leads us to obey God.
G
God the Father
the First Divine Person of the Holy Trinity
Gospel
word that means "Good News." The Gospel message is the Good News of God's Kingdom and his saving love.
grace
God's gift of a share in his life and help
Great Commandment
the law to love God above all else and to love others the way you love yourself. It sums up all God's laws.
H
Heaven living and being happy with God forever
Holy Communion
receiving Jesus' Body and Blood in the celebration of the Eucharist
Holy Family the name for the human family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Holy Spirit
the Third Divine Person of the Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity
the one God in three Divine Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
homily a short talk about the readings at Mass
I
Intercession
asking God to help others
K
Kingdom of God the world of love, peace, and justice that is in Heaven and is still being built on Earth
L
Last Supper the meal Jesus shared with his disciples on the night before he died. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave himself in the Eucharist.
liturgy the public prayer of the Church. It includes the Sacraments and forms of daily prayer.
Liturgy of the Eucharist the second main part of the Mass that includes Holy Communion
Liturgy of the Word
the first main part of the Mass during which we hear God's Word proclaimed
Lord's Prayer
the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God the Father
M
Mary
the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God. She is also called "Our Lady" because she is our mother and the Mother of the Church.
Mass the gathering of Catholics to worship God. It includes the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
mercy kindness and concern for those who are suffering. God has mercy on us even though we are sinners.
mission
a job or purpose of the Church. The Church's mission is to announce the Good News of God's Kingdom.
missionaries
people who bring the message of Jesus and announce the Good News of God's Kingdom to people in other places
mortal sin
a serious sin that causes a person's relationship with God to be broken
N
New Commandment
Jesus' command for his disciples to love one another as he has loved us
New Testament
the second part of the Bible about the life and teachings of Jesus, his followers, and the early Church
O
Old Testament the first part of the Bible that tells about God and his People before Jesus was born
Original Sin
the first sin committed by Adam and Eve and passed down to everyone
P
parable a short story Jesus told about everyday life to teach something about God
parish the local community of Catholics that meets at a particular place
peace when things are calm and people get along with one another
penance a prayer or an act to make up for sin
Pentecost
Fifty days after the Resurrection when the Holy Spirit first came upon the Twelve disciples and the Church
Petition asking God for what we need
Praise giving God honor and thanks because he is God
Prayer of the Faithful prayer at Mass for the needs of the Church and the world
proclaim to tell about Jesus in words and actions
psalms poems and prayers from the Bible; they can be said or sung
R
Real Presence
the teaching that Jesus is really and truly with us in the Eucharist. We receive Jesus in his fullness.
Resurrection the event of Jesus being raised from Death to new life by God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit
reverence the care and respect you show to God and holy persons and things
S
Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
the Sacrament in which God's forgiveness for sin is given through the Church
sacramentals blessings, objects, and actions that remind you of God and are made sacred through the prayers of the Church
Sacraments of Initiation the three Sacraments that celebrate membership in the Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
sacrifice
giving up something out of love for someone else or for the common good (good of everyone). Jesus sacrificed his life for all people.
Saint a hero of the Church. Someone who loved God very much, did his work on Earth, and is now with him in Heaven.
Savior a title for Jesus, who was sent into the world to save all people who were lost through sin and to lead them back to God the Father
Seven Sacraments
special signs and celebrations that Jesus gave his Church. They allow us to share in God's life and work.
sin the choice to disobey God on purpose and do what you know is wrong. Accidents and mistakes are not sins.
Son of God a name for Jesus that tells you God is his Father. The Son of God is the Second Divine Person of the Holy Trinity.
T
temptation
wanting to do something we should not or not doing something we should
Thanksgiving giving thanks to God for all he has given us
trust to believe in and depend on someone
V
venial sin
a sin that hurts a person's friendship with God, but does not completely break it
virtues good habits that make you stronger and help you do what is right and good
W
worship to adore and honor God, especially at Mass and in prayer