Key Terms in Catholic Theology: Sacraments, Eschatology, and Virtues

Absolution

The action of a priest as a mediator of grace, standing 'in the person of Christ,' concluding the sacrament of reconciliation.

Communion of saints

We already enjoy this communion here on earth with each other (the Church militant), in spirit, we are connected with those who have died and are still being purified in purgatory (the Church suffering).

Eschatological man

The final stage of our perfection, achieved in the resurrection at the end of time, where we'll be freed from any tensions between the flesh and the spirit within ourselves.

Eschaton

The final reality of man's existence, when Christ returns and our bodies are raised.

Glorified body

The perfected state of the resurrected body as it will be at the end of time; it will be radiating the glory of God.

Historical man

The period of human history between the Fall of Adam and the end of time, where man struggles against concupiscence to love as God does.

Hope of every day

The daily hope of victory over sin, which is available to us through Christ, who helps us overcome 'evil with good' (Rom 12:21).

Spousal

Another word for 'marriage-like' or 'marital.'

Spousal meaning of the body

The marital meaning of the body; '... the body's capacity of expressing love, fulfills the very meaning of his being and existence' (January 16, 1980).

Omniscient

Literally, 'all knowing.' A quality of God, meaning that God knows everything there is to know.

Original man

The period of man's existence as God created him (lived by Adam and Eve) prior to original sin.

Redeem

To pay off a debt through the exchange of something of equal or greater value than the debt owed.

Redemption

The ransom of humanity from the slavery of sin to a new life of freedom through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Resurrection of the body

The joining, at the end of time, of the bodies of the saved with their souls in heaven.

Sexual addiction

A compulsive and frequent habit of seeking sexual pleasures, including fornication, pornography, cybersex, masturbation, and other disordered sexual behaviors.

Abstinence

The action of self-control that avoids (or abstains from) something. In this case, abstinence means not engaging in sexual intercourse.

Agape

The Greek term for divine, unconditional love; the manner in which God loves us.

Chastity

The virtue that directs all our sexual desires, emotions, and attractions toward the dignity of the person and the real meaning of love.

Love as attraction

Recognizing the good of another person; seeing the inner and outer beauty of another person.

Love as desire

Wanting a good for yourself; desiring goodness and happiness.

Love as goodwill

Willing (or desiring) the good of another person.

Love and Responsibility

A book by Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II) that explains the importance of living a life that accepts responsibility and, therefore, results in loving others in a responsible manner.

Personalistic norm

The principle that recognizes that the only proper and adequate attitude toward human persons is love.

Pornography

Pictures or stories created with the direct intention of arousing lust in the viewer or reader.

Sexual repression

The unhealthy attempt to ignore (or bury) sexual desires, rather than embracing them.

Temperance

The virtue that enables us to take pleasure in the good gifts of God in the balanced way that he intends.

Total self-donation

The total giving of oneself for the good of another.

Utilitarianism

The philosophy of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, often at the expense of others.

Virtue

A firm habit of doing what is good. In its fullest sense, it is not only doing, but delighting in and desiring, what is true, good, and beautiful.