Catholic Morality

Beatitude

Our vocation as Christians, the goal of our existence, experienced partially here on earth and perfectly in heaven.

Concupiscence

The tendency of all human beings toward sin, as a result of original sin.

Covenant

A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being, in which mutual commitments are made.

Free Will

The gift from God that allows human beings to choose from various actions, holding them accountable and forming the basis for moral responsibility.

Intellect

The divine gift that gives us the ability to see and understand the order of things that God places within creation.

Justification

The process by which God frees us from sin and sanctifies us.

Merit

God’s reward to those who love him and follow Christ’s Law of Love, a free gift from God due to the grace of Christ.

Original Holiness

The state of human beings in their relationships with God, sharing in divine life in full communion with him.

Original Justice

The state of complete harmony that our first parents had with their inner self, with themselves, with each other, and with all creation.

Original Sin

The sin of the first human beings who disobeyed God’s command and the fallen state of human nature affecting every person born into the world.

Paschal Mystery

The work of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ through his life, passion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Salvation History

The pattern of specific salvific events in human history that reveal God’s presence and saving actions.

Sanctify

To make holy; sanctification is the process of becoming closer to God and growing in holiness.

Soul

Our spiritual principle, immortal and created by God, uniting with our physical body at conception.

Canon Law

The official body of laws that provide good order in the visible body of the Church.

Catechism

A summary of Catholic doctrine about faith and morals, intended for formal programs of catechesis.

Conscience

The ‘interior voice’ of a person, a God-given sense of the law of God that leads people to understand their moral responsibilities.

Eternal Law

The order in creation that reflects God’s will and purpose; always true and never changes.

Great Commandments

To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.

Infallibility

The gift of the Holy Spirit that protects Church leaders from fundamental error in specific teachings on faith and morals.

Magisterium

The Church’s living teaching office, consisting of bishops in communion with the Pope.

Moral Law

Established by God, it is a rational expression of eternal law to which we are obliged to adhere.

Natural Law

The moral law understood through reason, reflecting human nature's participation in God's wisdom and goodness.

New Law

Divine law revealed in the New Testament through Jesus Christ and the Apostles, fulfilling the Old Law.

Old Law

Divine law revealed in the Old Testament, summarized in the Ten Commandments.

Civil Laws

Man-made laws stemming from natural law; obligations exist to uphold them even if they conflict with Church laws.

Precepts of the Church

Basic obligations for all Catholics dictated by Church laws.

Five Things That Can Diminish Freedom

Ignorance, inadvertence, duress, inordinate attachments, fear, and habit.

Living in Beatitude

Experiencing happiness on Earth as God intended, preparing for eternal happiness in communion with the Holy Trinity.