Theology Eucharist Vocab

Holy Communion

A mutual exchange of love between God and his people, much like the covenantal love celebrated between a husband and wife in marriage; A name given to reception of the Eucharist

New Covenant

The new and everlasting covenant won for us by Christ’s Paschal Mystery. In this covenant is the fulfillment of centuries of prophecies and all of God’s promises for the forgiveness of sins. We are made members of the this covenant by our Baptism, and we renew and participate in the covenant every time we receive the Eucharist. All people are invited to be members of this covenant.

Fidelity

Faithfulness, loyalty, and continuing support

Communion

Intimate and mutual exchange in friendship

Consummation

The point at which something is finalized or completed

Atone

To make an offering of penance as an expression of sorrow for an offense; to make amends or reparations. 

Memorial

Something that has the purpose of keeping a memory alive

Manna

A miraculous food, “bread from Heaven,” that God provided Israel under the harsh conditions of desert life and that would come with the morning dew

Bread of Life Discourse

Jesus’ teaching in John 6 that He is the Bread of Life, which He gives us for the life of the world. He firmly teaches that we must eat His Body and drink His blood or we do not have life within us.

Anamnesis

A prayer recited by the priest during the Eucharistic prayers of the Mass, following the words of institution, that calls to mind the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus to make these mysteries present to us. Greek word for the recollection of a past event. 

Eucharistein

Greek word meaning “to give thanks,” from which the word Eucharist is derived

Mystical

Having a spiritual quality or significance because of a connection with God that goes beyond our understanding

Last Supper

The last meal, at Passover, Jesus ate with His Apostles on the night before He died, during which He instituted the Eucharist. It was here that Christ instituted the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders and that He washed the Apostle’s feet, giving them a New Commandment to love one another.  

Eternal

Without beginning or end; not constrained by time

Real Presence

The unique, true presence of Christ in the Eucharist under the appearances of bread and wine

Transubstantiation

The word used to described the changing of the bread and wine during Mass into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ

Substance

The essential nature of something

Transcendant

Beyond the limits of ordinary experience

Liturgy of the Word

The first part of the Mass, in which we receive the written word of God. Here, the Scriptures are proclaimed and the priest teaches in a homily. We also join together in prayer for others who profess our faith

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The second part of the Mass, in which we receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Here, the priest prays the words of consecration and changes the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Those well-disposed also come to the altar to receive Holy Communion. 

Epiousios

Mysterious Greek word for “daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer. From the Greek epi, meaning “above”, and ousia, meaning “being” “essence” or “substance.” 

Sanctoral Cycle

The celebration of certain saints throughout the Church year

Sacramentals

Objects or actions that are sacred signs of God’s grace and that prepare us to receive His grace and cooperate with it

Schism

A division caused by differences in belief. It is the refusal of submission to the pope or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him.

Ecumenical

Relating to the work of restoring unity among all Christians by bringing them back into the Catholic Church, which alone offers the fullness of the means of salvation 

Holy Week

Name for the last week of Lent, leading up to and including Triduum and Easter Sunday

Beatific Vision

The immediate knowledge of God which the angels and saints enjoy in Heaven