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
ark of the covenant a wooden chest that housed the tablets of the Ten Commandments. The Israelites carried it wherever they went as a reminder that God was with them.
Ascension when the Risen Jesus was taken up to Heaven to be with God the Father forever
B
beatification the second step in the process of becoming a Saint, in which a venerable person is recognized by the Church as having brought about a miracle through his or her prayers of intercession
Beatitudes
teachings of Jesus that show the way to true happiness and tell the way to live in God's Kingdom now and always
blasphemy the sin of showing disrespect for the name of God, Jesus Christ, Mary, or the Saints in words or action
C
canonization
a declaration by the Pope naming a person a Saint. Canonized Saints have special feast days or memorials in the Church's calendar.
Cardinal Virtues
the four principal moral virtues—prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude—that help us live as children of God and from which the other moral virtues flow. We strengthen these good habits through God’s grace and our own efforts.
charity
the theological virtue of love. It directs us to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves, for the love of God
chastity a moral virtue and one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit that helps us to act and think in ways that are appropriate and pure
common good the good of everyone, with particular concern for those who might be most vulnerable to harm
confession another name for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation; an essential element of the Sacrament when you tell your sins to the priest
conscience
the God-given ability that helps us judge whether actions are right or wrong. It is important for us to know God's laws so our conscience can help us make good decisions.
Corporal Works of Mercy
actions that show care for the physical needs of others
covenant a sacred promise or agreement between God and humans
D
Divine Revelation
the way God makes himself, and makes his plan for humans, known to us
E
envy the sin of resenting what others have or being sad from wanting for yourself what belongs to others
eternal life life forever with God for all who die in his friendship
Eucharist
the Sacrament in which Jesus gives himself and the bread and wine become his Body and Blood
evangelization sharing the Good News of Jesus through words and actions in a way that invites people to accept the Gospel
F
faith
the theological virtue that makes it possible for us believe in God and all that he helps us understand about himself. Faith leads us to obey God.
faithful to be constant and loyal in your commitment to God and others, just as he is faithful to you
fortitude the Cardinal Virtue that helps you show courage, have strength to get through difficult times, and not give up on doing good
free will the God-given freedom and ability to make choices. God created us with free will so we can have the freedom to choose good.
G
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
seven powerful gifts God gives us to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and live the Christian life
Gospel
a word that means "Good News." The Gospel message is the Good News of God's Kingdom and his saving love.
grace
God's free and loving gift to humans of his own life and help
Great Commandment
the twofold command to love God above all and your neighbor as yourself. It sums up all God’s laws.
greed the sin of desiring to gain earthly goods without limits or beyond what you need
H
Heaven
the joy of living eternally in God’s presence
Hell
being separated from God forever because of a choice to turn away from him and not seek forgiveness
holy
unique and pure; set apart for God and his purposes
Holy Trinity the mystery of one God in three Divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
hope
the theological virtue that helps us trust in the true happiness God wants us have and in Jesus’ promises of eternal life, and to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit
human dignity
the worth each person has because he or she is made in the image of God
humility the moral virtue that helps us to know that God is the source of everything good. Humility helps us to avoid being prideful.
I
idolatry the sin of worshipping an object or a person instead of God. It is letting anything or anyone become more important than God.
Immaculate Conception the truth that God kept Mary free from sin from the first moment of her life
Incarnation
the mystery that the Son of God became human in order to save all people
J
justice
giving God what is due him. This virtue also means giving each person what he or she is due because that person is a child of God.
K
Kingdom of God
God's rule of peace, justice, and love that exists in Heaven, but has not yet come in its fullness on Earth
L
laity
all the baptized people in the Church who share in God’s mission but are not priests or consecrated sisters or brothers; sometimes called lay people
Last Judgment
God’s final triumph over evil that will occur at the end of time, when Christ returns and judges all the living and the dead
liturgical year the feasts and seasons of the Church calendar that celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ
M
Magisterium the teaching office of the Church, which is all of the bishops in union with the Pope
martyr
a person who gives up his or her life to witness to the truth of Christ and the faith. The word martyr means "witness."
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.
mercy kindness and concern for those who are suffering. God has mercy on us even though we are sinners.
mission
a job or purpose. The Church’s mission is to announce the Good News of God’s Kingdom.
modesty a moral virtue and one of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit that helps us dress, talk, and move in appropriate ways
morality living in right relationship with God, yourself, and others. It is putting your beliefs into action.
mortal sin
serious sin that causes a person's relationship with God to be broken
murder the deliberate killing of another person when the killing is not in self-defense
O
Original Sin
the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, which led to the sinful condition of the human race from its beginning
P
Particular Judgment
the individual judgment by God at the time of a person’s death; when God decides, after a person’s death, where that person will spend eternity according to his or her faith and works
Paschal Mystery
the mystery of Jesus' suffering, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
patron Saint a Saint who has a particular connection to a cause, place, type of work, or person. For example, if a person or city shares the name of a Saint, that Saint is a patron.
peace a state of calm when things are in their proper order and people settle problems with kindness and justice
penance the prayer, offering, or good work the priest gives you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Precepts of the Church some of the minimum requirements given by Church leaders for deepening your relationship with God and the Church
providence
God's loving care for all things; God's will and plan for creation
prudence the Cardinal Virtue that helps us be practical and make correct decisions on what is right and good, with the help of the Holy Spirit and a well-formed conscience
Purgatory a state of final cleansing after death and before entering Heaven
R
reparation an action taken to repair the damage done from sin
repent to turn our lives away from sin and toward God
Resurrection
the event of Jesus being raised from Death to new life by God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit
S
Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
the Sacrament in which God’s forgiveness for sin is given through the Church
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
the Sacrament that brings Jesus' healing touch to strengthen, comfort, and forgive the sins of those who are seriously ill or close to death
sacramental seal
a rule that a priest is not to share anything he hears in confession
sacred worthy of reverence and devotion
Sacred Scripture another name for the Bible; Sacred Scripture is the inspired Word of God written by humans
Sacred Tradition
God's Word to the Church, safeguarded by the Apostles and their successors, the bishops, and handed down verbally – in her creeds, Sacraments, and other teachings – to future generations
Saint a person whom the Church declares has led a holy life and is enjoying eternal life with God in Heaven
salvation the loving action of God?s forgiveness of sins and the restoration of friendship with him brought by Jesus
Seven Sacraments effective signs of God's life, instituted by Christ and given to the Church. In the celebration of each Sacrament, there are visible signs and Divine actions that give grace and allow us to share in God's work.
sin
a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the law of God. Sins hurt our relationship with God and other people.
soul the spiritual part of a human that lives forever
Spiritual Works of Mercy actions that address the needs of the heart, mind, and soul
stewardship
the way we appreciate and use God's gifts, including our time, talent, and treasure, and the resources of creation
T
temperance the Cardinal Virtue that helps you use moderation, be disciplined, and have self-control
temptation
an attraction to sin; wanting to do something we should not or not do something we should
Ten Commandments the summary of laws that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. They tell what is necessary in order to love God and others.
Theological Virtues the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, which are gifts from God that guide our relationship with him
V
venial sin a sin that weakens a person?s relationship with God but does not destroy it
vocation
God's plan for our lives; the purpose for which he made us
vows solemn promises that are made to or before God
W
worship
to adore and praise God, especially in the liturgy and in prayer