Key Concepts in Catholic Theology and Church Structure

Ecclesiology

The study of the church, its nature, structure, and purpose.

Pentecost

The Christian feast celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, occurring fifty days after Easter.

Holy Spirit

The third person of the Holy Trinity, believed to be the active presence of God in the world.

Heresy

A belief or opinion that deviates from established religious doctrine, especially in Christianity. (False teaching)

Primary Evangelization

The initial proclamation of the Gospel to those who have never heard it.

New Evangelization

Efforts to re-evangelize those who have experienced a crisis of faith or have drifted away from the church.

Infallibility

The doctrine that, under certain conditions, the pope is incapable of making an error in pronouncing doctrine on faith and morals.

Martyr

A person who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce a belief or cause, especially for their faith.

Ecumenism

A movement within Christianity that aims to promote unity and understanding among different Christian denominations.

Church Militant

Refers to Christians on earth who are actively engaged in the struggle against sin and evil.

Church Suffering

Refers to the souls in purgatory who are being purified before they can enter heaven.

Church Triumphant

Refers to the souls in heaven who have achieved eternal life and are in the presence of God.

One

United in faith, worship, and leadership.

Holy

Made holy by Christ/God; offers sacraments.

Catholic

Universal; for all people, everywhere; “whole”

Apostolic

Founded on the apostles; led by successors.

Christ established the Church upon the foundation of…

The Apostles

The Apostles appointed and ordained _______ to be their successors

Bishops

What are the rites of the Catholic Church (what do they share/have different)?

Sames: Beliefs, sacraments, apostolic origin

Differences: Architecture, language, art, culture

Magisterium

Teaching authority/office of the Church.

The Church is Universal

Catholic

The Church is united in its faith

One

The Church teachers its children to know, love, and serve God, and thus to become saints

Holy

The Pope, bishops, priests, and deacons help us to understand God’s teachings

Apostolic

The highest example and source of this mystery is in the Trinity

One

The Church’s main mission is to help all people grow closer to Christ

Holy

The Church is rooted in the teachings of Christ and the Apostles and continues its mission today

Apostolic

Wherever we go, whether in Europe, Africa, Asia, etc. We will find the Church established there

Catholic

Petition

Asking God for something.

Adoration

Praising God for his goodness, beauty, etc.

Contrition

Sorrow for sin.

Thanksgiving

Gratitude.

Formal/Memorized

Our Father, Hail Mary, prayers that we say from memory

Vocal

Spoken out loud

Meditation

Imagination, feelings, desires

Contemplative

Silent, wordless

Devotion

Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Novenas

Liturgical

Mass

Is the Church only visible? Only invisible? Or both?

The Church is considered both visible and invisible; it is made up of the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven.

Visible signs of the Church: The sacraments, the clergy, and the community of believers.

Invisible signs of the Church: faith, grace, and the Holy Spirit.

First Christian martyr

St. Stephen

Pope's infallible subjects

Faith and Morals

Indulgences

A reduction of temporal punishment due to sins that have been forgiven

Five precepts of the Church

Attend mass on Sundays and Holy days of obligation.

Go to confession at least once a year.

Receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter Season.

Observe the days of fasting and abstinence.

Help provide for the needs of the Church

Heaven

The ultimate state of eternal happiness and communion with God

Hell

The eternal separation from God

Purgatory

The temporary state of purification for those who die in a state of grace

Can we pray for the dead? Why should we? 

Yes, it assists in lessening their time in purgatory

Primary punishment of Hell

Separation from God

Church referred to in feminine

Because it is the bride of Christ

Who decides whether someone is separated from God forever?

Us

Pope

Head of the Church; successor of St. Peter

Bishop

Leads a diocese; successor of the Apostles

Priest

Serves a parish; celebrates sacraments

Consecrated Religious

Takes vows; lives in community (e.g., nuns, monks)

Laity / Domestic Church

Non-ordained; lives out faith in daily life, especially family

Who deserves to be called Christian

Any baptized Christian person

Are all Catholics Christian?

Yes

What is the mission of the Church?

Evangelize through words AND actions

Baptism

Form: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Matter: Water (poured or immersed)

Minister: Ordinary - Bishop, priest, or deacon; Extraordinary - anyone (in emergency, with proper intent)

Confirmation

Form: "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Matter: Sacred Chrism (oil) and laying on of hands

Minister: Ordinary - Bishop; Extraordinary - priest (with permission)

Eucharist

Form: Words of Consecration: "This is my Body... This is my Blood..."

Matter: Bread (wheat) and wine (grape)

Minister: Only a validly ordained priest or bishop can consecrate

Penance (Confession/Reconciliation)

Form: Words of absolution: "I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Matter: Contrition, confession, and satisfaction (penance)

Minister: Priest or bishop

Anointing of the Sick

Form: Prayer of the priest during the anointing: “Through this Holy anointing…”

Matter: Oil of the sick, applied to forehead and hands

Minister: Priest or bishop

Holy Orders

Form: Consecratory prayer proper to each degree (deacon, priest, bishop)

Matter: Laying on of hands

Minister: Only a bishop

Matrimony

Form: Exchange of vows

Matter: The mutual consent and bodies of the couple

Minister: The couple themselves (in the Latin Church); the priest or deacon is the official witness

Differences between Protestants and Catholics

Protestants have 7 fewer books.

Catholics pray to saints, and Protestants only pray to God.

Protestants believe that the Eucharist is a symbol.

The Pope is an authority to Catholics.

Protestants say that the scripture is the only authority.

Church as Noah's Ark

The Church is like Noah's Ark because it offers a path to salvation and protection from the destructive forces of sin in the world, just as the Ark saved Noah and his family from the flood.

Church as Israel

The Church is like Israel because it is the new people of God, chosen by Him to be in a special covenant relationship and to bear witness to Him in the world, much like ancient Israel was chosen.

Church as Faithful Remnant

The Church is like the Faithful Remnant because, throughout history, it has preserved true faith and worship, often standing as a smaller, dedicated group amidst a larger, wavering population, much like the faithful remnant in the Old Testament.

Church as Body of Christ

The Church is like the Body of Christ because Christ is its head, and believers are its diverse members, working together in unity to carry out Christ's mission in the world, just as a body functions through its various parts.

Church as Bride of Christ

The Church is like the Bride of Christ because it is intimately united to Jesus, who loves and sanctifies it, preparing it for eternal communion with Him, symbolizing a sacred and unbreakable bond.

Church as Seed of the Kingdom

The Church is like the Seed of the Kingdom because it is the visible beginning and instrument of God's Kingdom on Earth, growing and spreading until its full realization at the end of time.

Church as Family of God

The Church is like the Family of God because, through baptism, believers are adopted as children of God, forming a community united by faith, love, and a common Father.

Church as Vine and Branches

The Church is like the Vine and the Branches because Christ is the vine, and believers are the branches; they draw their life, nourishment, and ability to bear fruit directly from Him.

Church as Temple of the Holy Spirit

The Church is like the Temple of the Holy Spirit because God's Spirit dwells within it, sanctifying its members and making it a dwelling place for the divine presence on Earth.

The Church is One

The Church is One because it is united in faith, worship, and leadership under the Pope.

The Church is Holy

The Church is Holy because it is set apart for God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and provides the sacraments that lead to holiness.

The Church is Catholic

The Church is Catholic (meaning "universal") because it is for all people, in all places, and teaches the fullness of truth.

The Church is Apostolic

The Church is Apostolic because it was founded on the apostles and continues their mission through the bishops and the Pope today.

Response to 'Jesus came to abolish religion'

The Church would say Jesus did not come to abolish religion, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He established the Church and gave it structure, leadership, and sacraments.

Response to 'One is the work of God, the other is a man-made invention'

The Church teaches that it is the work of God, founded by Christ Himself, not a man-made invention. Human weaknesses exist, but the Church's foundation is divine.

Response to 'It's not a museum for good people, it's a hospital for the broken'

The Church agrees. It is a place for sinners, not just saints, offering God's mercy, healing, and grace through confession, community, and the sacraments.