free will 1
The gift from God that allows human beings to choose from among various actions, for which we are held accountable. It is the basis for moral responsibility.
intellect 1/2
The divine gift that gives us the ability to see and understand the order of things that God places within creation and to know and understand God through the created order.
justification 1
The process by which God frees us from sin and sanctifies us.
merit 1
God’s reward to those who love him and follow Christ’s Law of Love. To have merit is to be justified in the sight of God, free from sin and sanctified by his grace. We do not earn merit on our own;it is a free gift from God due to the grace of Christ in us.
moral law
The moral law is established by God and is a rational expression of eternal law. Moral law reflects God’s wisdom; it is the teaching that leads us to the blessed life he wants for us.
natural law
The moral law that can be understood through the use of reason. It is our God-given ability to understand what it means to be in right relationship with God, other people, the world, and ourselves. The basis for natural law is our participation in God’s wisdom and goodness because we are created in the divine likeness.
original holiness 1
The original state of human beings in their relationship with God, sharing in the divine life in full communion with him.
original justice 1
The state of complete harmony of our first parents with themselves, with each other, and with all of creation.
Original Sin 1
From the Latin origo, meaning “beginning” or “birth.” The term has two meanings
sanctify, sanctification 1
To make holy; sanctification is the process of becoming closer to God and growing in holiness, taking on the righteousness of Jesus Christ with the gift of sanctifying grace.
soul
Our spiritual principle, it is immortal, and it is what makes us most like God. Our soul is created by God, and he unites it with our physical body at the moment of conception. The soul is the seat of human consciousness and freedom.
anger (wrath)
A desire for revenge that prevents reconciliation, one of the capital sins
capital sins
Seven sins that are particularly harmful because they lead to and reinforce other sins and vices. The seven are traditionally called pride, covetousness (greed), envy, anger (wrath), gluttony, lust, and sloth
intention
The intended outcome or goal of the person choosing the object when making a moral decision.
mortal sin
An action so contrary to the will of God that it results in a complete separation from God and his grace. As a consequence of that separation, the person is condemned to eternal death. For a sin to be a mortal sin, three conditions must be met: the act must involve grave matter, the person must have full knowledge of the evil of the act, and the person must give his or her full consent in committing the act.
object
In moral decision making, the object is the specific thing—an act, word, or thought—that is being chosen.
sin of commission
A sin that is the direct result of a freely chosen thought, word, or deed.
sin of omission
A sin that is the result of a failure to do something required by God's moral Law
social justice
The defense of human dignity by ensuring that essential human needs are met and that essential human rights are protected; to fight against social sin.
social sin
The collective effect of many personal sins over time, which corrupts society and its institutions by creating "structures of sin."
venial sin
A less serious offense against the will of God that diminishes one's personal character and weakens but does not rupture one's relationship with God.
virtue
A habitual and firm disposition to do good.
Atheist; atheism 3
One who denies the existence of God; the denial of the existence of God
Blasphemy 3
Speaking, acting, or thinking about God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or the saints in a way that is irreverent, mocking or offensive. It is a sin against the Second Commandment
Covenant
A solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being in which mutual commitments are made
Divination 3
The practice of seeking powers or knowledge through supernatural means apart from the one, true God; a sin against the First Commandment
Heresy 3
The conscious and deliberate rejection of a dogma of the Church
Idolatry 3
The worship of other beings, creatures, or material goods in a way that is fitting for God alone. It is a violation of the First commandment
Magic 3
The belief in supernatural power that comes from a source other than God; a sin against the First Commandment
Monotheism 3
The belief in and worship of only one God
Pantheon 3
A group of Gods and goddesses worshipped by a particular people of religion
Perjury 3
The sin of lying while under an oath to tell the truth. It is a sin against the Second Commandment
Profanity 3
Speaking disrespectfully about something that is sacred or treating it with disrespect
Sacred 3
The quality of being holy, worthy of respect and reverence
Sacrilege 3
An offense against God. It is an abuse of a person, place, thing dedicated to God and the worship of him
Simony 3
Buying or selling something spiritual, such as grace, a Sacrament, or relic. It violates the honor of God
Superstition 3
Attributing to someone or something else as a power that belongs to God alone relying on such powers rather than trusting in God; a sin against the First Commandment
Venerate 3
An action that shoes deep reverence for something sacred. For example, on Good Friday individuals in the assembly venerate the cross by bowing before it or kissing it
Simony 3
the buying and selling of church offices, or other spiritual things like relics or sacraments.
profanity 3
speaking disrespectfully about something that is sacred or treating it with disrespect
perjury 3
lying under oath
idolatry 3
The worship of something or someone other than the true God.
venerate 3
an action that shows deep reverence for something sacred
atheist 3
A person who denies the existence of God
monotheism 3
belief in only one god
pantheon 3
a group of gods and goddesses worshiped by a particular people or religion
superstition 3
Attributing to someone or something else a power that belongs to God alone and relying on such powers rather than trusting in God
sacred 3
the quality of being holy, worthy of respect and reverence
divination 3
the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means
sacrilege 3
improper or disrespectful treatment of a person, place or thing that is dedicated to God and held sacred
Heresy 3
deliberate rejection of the teachings of the Church.
blasphemy 3
the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk.
magic
The belief in supernatural power that comes from a source other than God; a sin against the First Commandment.
actual graces
God's interventions and support for us in the everyday moments of our lives. ______ ______ are important for conversion and for continuing growth in holiness.
cardinal virtues
Based on the Latin word for "pivot," four virtues that are viewed as pivotal or essential for full Christian living: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
contrition
To have hatred for our sin and a commitment not to sin again.
faith
In general, the belief in the existence of God. For Christians, the gift of God by which one freely accepts full Revelation in Jesus Christ. It is a matter of both the head (acceptance of God's revealed truth) and the heart (love of God and neighbor as a response to God's first loving us); also, one of the three theological virtues.
fortitude
Also called strength or courage, the cardinal virtue that enables one to maintain sound moral judgment and behavior in the face of difficulties and challenges; one of the four cardinal virtues.
grace
The free and undeserved gift of God's loving and active presence in the universe and in our lives, empowering us to respond to his call and to live as his adopted sons and daughters. _____ restores our loving communion with the Holy Trinity, lost through sin.
hope
The theological virtue by which we trust in the promise of God and expect from God both eternal life and the grace we need to attain it; the conviction that God's grace is at work in the world and that the Kingdom of God established by and through Jesus Christ is becoming realized through the workings of the Holy Spirit among us.
justice
The cardinal virtue concerned with the rights and duties within relationships; the commitment, as well as the actions and attitudes that flow from the commitment, to ensure that all persons— particularly those who are poor and oppressed—receive what is due them.
knowledge
The gift of ________ is the ability to comprehend the basic meaning and message of Jesus.
love
The human longing for God and a selfless commitment to supporting the dignity and humanity of all people simply because they are created in God's image. Also called "charity," it is one of the three theological virtues.
prudence
The cardinal virtue by which a person is inclined toward choosing the moral good and avoiding evil; sometimes called the rudder virtue because it helps steer the person through complex moral situations.
sacramental graces
The gifts proper to each of the Seven Sacraments.
sanctifying grace
A supernatural gift of God by which our sins are forgiven and we are made holy. It restores our communion with God.
special graces
Gifts intended for the common good of the Church, also called charisms.