Theology III Midterm Study Guide

textbook: "The Sacraments" by the Sophia Institute. includes sacraments of baptism, confirmation, eucharist, confession, and anointing of the sick.

Sacrament

An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Efficacious signs because they actively work through Jesus to give us grace, which is their purpose. Word comes from the Latin term “sacramentum,” which was an initiation oath into the Roman army that grants soldiers a new status and purpose, just as these do.

Efficacious

Effective, or something that brings about/does what it signifies.

Matter

The physical material used during a sacrament, revealing the presence of Jesus.

Form

The words/prayer said by the minister of the sacrament which communicates what God is doing.

Minister

The human person Christ works through, and the one who administers the sacrament.

Paschal Mystery

Christ’s work of redemption accomplished by His Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension.

Liturgy

Public work of worship of the Church, and prayers which are of particular sacramental celebrations and express what we ask God to do and show what He does.

Disposition

Quality or state of mind, or one of which that is necessary to be prepared for an encounter with God/sacrament. We need this for the sacrament to truly work in us.

Ex Opere Operato

Latin for “by the work worked,” which tells us that so long as the correct matter and form is used, the sacrament will work through God who works through the human minister. The holiness of the human minister themselves has no impact on the sacrament in this way.

Incarnation

The fact that the Son of Man assumed human nature for our redemption.

Grace

The free and undeserved Divine Life of God given to us as a gift through the sacraments to make us more like God and be adopted as his children.

Actual Grace

Grace given to us for the performance of good acts in the spur of the moment, helping us to act in the right way.

Sanctifying Grace

Grace given to us through the sacraments that help us maintain a stable disposition and form us into saints, making us holy.

Intellect

Our power to know.

Will

Our power to choose.

Jesus

The primary minister of all the sacraments, and a sacrament Himself as He reveals He is God through everything He says and does.

Church

The means which Christ remains present with us today and is His instrument because it is used to continue His saving work. It is a sign revealing Jesus’ saving work, therefore making it a universal sacrament.

Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

Latin for “the law of prayer is the law of belief,” showing us that how we pray forms what we believe, and vice versa. The liturgical prayer expressed Sacred Tradition in this way.

Sacramental View

Looking at the world with God, the divine Artist who created everything, in mind. A way of realizing that all of creation reveals something about Him and He created not to increase His glory, but to show it. In this way, creation is a sacrament as it reveals things about God the Creator.

Body and Soul Union

Humans consist of a body (physical component) and a soul (spiritual component). Original Sin affects our bodies and souls, so Jesus assumed this body/soul nature to heal us from Original Sin’s effects. Through this, God can reveal Himself to us. He communicates to us through physical signs because we are physical bodies, and we can see Him and His works clearer through the material means of the sacraments.

Full, Conscious, and Active Participation

The act of recognizing, understanding, and engaging in the liturgy when it is happening. Being active during the liturgy and therefore letting the work of the sacrament work through you and fill you with grace. Being aware of what’s happening and participating in it.

Martyr

Someone who dies for the Christian faith.

Baptism

Sacrament of initiation that brings one into the community of the Church and forgives all sin. This is the first sacrament a person receives, and it represents a beginning or new start for the person receiving the sacrament.

Affusion

When water is poured onto person’s head.

Immersion

When the whole person is submerged in water.

Type

Event or person in the Bible that points forward to a later event/person in salvation history. In the instance of baptism, examples of these include these four Old Testament stories: Noah and the Flood (Gen. 6:9-8:22), the Crossing of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:13-30), the Crossing of the Jordan River (Jos. 3:9-17), and Elisha Healing a Leper (2 Kgs. 5:1-14). Each story uses water to point forward to what baptism will do and mean in the Church.

Baptizein

Greek word meaning “to dip,” “to immerse,” or “to plunge.” Where the term for “baptism” originated from.

Original Sin

Sin we inherit from the first humans that deprives us of Original Holiness and Original justice, but is washed away at baptism. The nature was of pride.

Actual Sin

Sin we commit, whether it be mortal or venial, both of which damage our relationship with God but are washed away at baptism.

Concupiscence

The inclination to sin; an effect of Original Sin that remains with us despite receiving baptism.

Baptism of Blood

Said to be received by someone who is martyred before they are able to receive their baptism.

Baptism of Desire

Said to be received by someone who dies unexpectedly while preparing to receive their baptism.

The Great Commission

This is the moment that baptism was instituted by Christ: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28:18-20). Jesus commands the apostles to preach the Gospel and baptize people, and minister all of the sacraments, in the name of the Trinity. This is where the form of baptism originates from.

Domestic Church

The Church at home: where the faith is first taught to the child being baptized and the place where they experience the love of God for the first time. When a parent baptizes their child, they accept the great responsibility of raising the child in the practice of the faith and to teach them how to love and follow the commandments. The parents are asked if they understand this responsibility three times at the baptism to show how important this is.

Godparent

Also known as a sponsor (although this is a term more common in regards to Confirmation), this is someone who helps the parents of the baptized child teach them the faith. At least one is required at baptism (two, or one and a Christian Witness). In order to qualify to be a godparent, one must be a practicing Catholic who has received the Sacraments of Initiation, is at least 16 years old and is not one of the parents.

Catechumenate

Period of preparation for baptism that includes prayer, reflection, and instruction in the faith. This term come from the Greek language, and it translates to “study or instruction.” This is what the OCIA program is for adults seeking baptism.

Catechumen

Person preparing for baptism. This term comes from the Greek language, and it translates to “the one being instructed.” The OCIA is a collection of all of these people as they prepare for their baptisms.

Sacramental Character

Indelible and permanent seal/mark on our souls that changes us for good by enabling us to participate in Christ’s priesthood. Three sacraments bestow this: baptism, confirmation, and holy orders (This is why you can only receive these sacraments once).

Sacraments of Initiation

Three sacraments that lay the foundation for the Christian life, which are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Justification

Being made right with God.

Conditional Baptism

Baptism administered when there is doubt that someone was validly baptized; done on the condition that the sacrament was not previously received.

Matter of Baptism

Water that must come into contact with the recipient’s body through affusion or immersion.

Form of Baptism

Minister says, “[Name of recipient], I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." This is also called the Trinitarian Formula.

Minister of Baptism

The ordinary ministers are bishops, priests, and deacons. However, in the instance of an emergency, anyone can be the minister, in which case they would be called an extraordinary minister.

Rite of Baptism

Each part of the rite reveals a deeper reality taking place and places real demands on parents, godparents, and the whole community. In the rite, the minister asks the parents of the recipient, “What name have you chosen for your child?,” “What do you ask of God’s Church?,” and “Do you understand this responsibility?” (The last one is asked three times).

Shared Roles of Christ

Those who are baptized share in Christ’s offices of priest (one who sacrifices), prophet (one who evangelizes), and king (one who serves and leads) as our Christian vocation.

Effects of Baptism

Baptism cleanses all sin through the source of Salvation (the Cross of Christ), makes one a member of the Church and the body of Christ and makes them eligible for the other sacraments. Additionally, this makes a person a new creation through sanctifying grace, as symbolized through the white garment. A person becomes a child on God, receives grace to get to heaven, and their soul is infused with the theological virtues of faith, hope and love. Catholic baptism also unites Catholics to non-Catholic Christians as well.

St. John’s Baptism

When St. John the Baptist baptized people, he did it with water serving as a sign of someone’s repentance, and a person was baptized because of their desire for forgiveness. On the other hand, Christ’s baptism (the sacrament) occurs through the Holy Spirit and actually forgives sins and gives us grace. It is not just a sign. Jesus received John’s baptism because it was an affirmation of His humanity and He was giving us an example to follow. He associated Himself with the condition of mankind and showed us the value of self-emptying.

Infant Baptism

When a baby is baptized and the parents and godparents make the profession of faith on behalf of the child being baptized. This is practiced in the church because the parents want to do what is best for their child, we want the child to be part of the family of God, baptism is necessary for salvation, and it was part of the early church. However, post-baptismal catechesis must accompany this baptism.

Necessity of Baptism

The Church teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation and eternal life, and that anyone who has heard the Gospel and has had the opportunity to ask for baptism must do so. However, while the Church is bound by the sacraments, God is not. Those who know what Christ instructed should seek salvation that way, however God is merciful and ultimately salvation is granted solely through Him. He may grant salvation to individuals who aren’t baptized in other ways, such as through the Baptisms of Blood/Desire. Those who had never heard of Christ can still be saved in they lived a good life, but ultimately it is up to the mercy of Christ.

Confirmation

Sacrament associated with courage during which a baptized 7-17 y/o (at least in the US) in a state of grace after the preparation process (instruction, study, reflection and prayer) is anointed with chrism oil on the forehead (in the Latin rite) to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as the apostles were during Pentecost. In the Eastern Catholic Church, this is received together with baptism and eucharist, but in the Western Catholic Church this is done separately from those two by the bishop. This completes Baptism, leaves sacramental character, roots one as a child of God and as a member of the church more deeply, and gives us grace to act as a witness to Christ. St. Thomas Aquinas described this as “The Sacrament of the Fullness of Grace” because the graces of baptism are perfected and strengthened.

Apostolate

Activity that each Christian partakes in by working to extend the reign of Christ to the entire world; work of evangelization.

Laying on of Hands

Ancient ritual gesture used in Confirmation, symbolizing the giving of the Holy Spirit. Just as the apostles did this to the newly baptized at Pentecost, the bishop does it to candidates at Confirmation.

Chrismation

What the Sacrament of Confirmation is called in the Eastern rites of the Church.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Good qualities that result from living in union with the Holy Spirit. They are joy, love, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, self-control, and faithfulness.

Sponsor

Person the candidate selects to act as a role model/witness to their faith. They help the candidate grow in faith through the Confirmation preparation process and beyond, they pray from them, and they place their hand on the candidate’s shoulder during the ceremony. A person only needs one, but they have to be a confirmed practicing Catholic; usually this is the baptismal godparent. Whoever is chosen for this rule must have received all of the Sacraments of Initiation themselves, and they must also be at least sixteen years old and not the parent of the person they are sponsoring.

Chrism

Olive oil (abundance and joy) mixed with balsam (aroma of Christ); blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass, typically celebrated in diocesan cathedral on or near Holy Thursday. Here, the bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism that will be used in the diocese.

Messiah

Word to refer to the Christ; means “anointed one” in Greek. This is the one consecrated to serve as priest, prophet, and king.

Confirmation’s Relation to Baptism

Sometimes these two are called the “double sacrament,” as Confirmation completes baptism and both involve the receiving of the Holy Spirit. In the early church, they were administered at the same time.

Matter of Confirmation

Chrism Oil

Form of Confirmation

The minister says, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Minister of Confirmation

The bishop is the ordinary as he is the successor of the Apostles; however, if he cannot make it (ex. Easter Vigil or other scheduling conflict), he can give permission to a priest to do it, and he would be extraordinary.

Pentecost

Takes place in Acts 2:1-8, where the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Apostles as a violent wind and tongues of fire, granting them the courage to spread the gospel and the ability to speak different languages, creating unity among the people. This was once a Jewish feast celebrating God giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, but now it celebrates Jesus sending the Holy Spirit on His Church to give the New Law of God’s love. Now the law is engraved in our hearts, not stone tablets. This is what happens to us during our Confirmation as well.

Confirmation Saint

Catholics choose a saint and take their name at their confirmation because it symbolizes the new identity and mission of the person being confirmed (being changed in Christ), and that acknowledge that they will look up to this saint in heaven, and they will intercede for them.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Mentioned by the prophet Isaiah, these are the seven things we receive from the Holy Spirit at confirmation to help us live more faithful lives. They are wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord.

Wisdom

Seeing as God sees

Understanding

Ability to comprehend the Divine Mysteries

Knowledge

Helps us to know about and experience God; to personally know Him

Counsel

Good judgement and moral choice making

Fortitude

Courage to stand firm in the faith even in hard times

Piety

Faithful and obedient love, helping us to give God true praise and worship

Fear of the Lord

Desire to please God out of love for Him

Benediction

When the priest holds up the monstrance and gives the blessing

Adoration

When the creation humbly acknowledges the creator; when people of God go to pray before the Eucharist in a monstrance (special display for the Eucharist).

Koinonia

Greek term expressing the Church’s unity in Christ, which is established at its source, the Eucharist.

Transubstantiation

When the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. In a Eucharistic miracle, both the substantial and accidental forms change, but at Mass it is only the substantial form that transforms.

Agnus Dei

Hymn to acknowledge the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

Epiclesis

When the priest asks the Holy Spirit to come down upon the gifts of bread and wine

Anamnesis

Not forgetting the sacrifice of Christ: often done with a hymn such as “Save Us, Savior of the World” or “When We Eat This Bread”

Words of Institution

The words Jesus said at the Last Supper when he instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist that the priest also says at Mass to consecrate (transform the substantial form of) the bread and wine.

General Intercessions

Praying for the Church and all who take part in it; also called the Prayer of the Faithful.

Collect

Opening prayer of Mass that ends the Introductory Rites.

Gospel

The Word of God that tells the story of Jesus’ life, and is comprised of four books (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). A section is read by a priest or deacon at every mass and is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word.

Real Presence

Mystery of Faith declaring that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, and it is the Body and Blood of our Lord in every particle although the appearance of bread and wine remain. At Mass, we show our acknowledgement of this by genuflecting.

Passover

Jewish feast the day God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This was also the celebration happening at the Last Supper.

Mass

Official worship of God, giving Him praise and thanks while also celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus for atonement. Comes from the Latin word “missa,” meaning “sent.” One should attend not only to get to pray with the Church community, but also to hear God’s Word and be united with Christ through the sacrament of the Eucharist. To prepare for this weekly event, one should fast for an hour, examine conscience (go to confession if needed), consider what you want to pray for during mass, maybe read the readings beforehand, and dress nice.

Eucharist

Source and summit of the Christian life which embodies Christ himself; through this sacrament of initiation, we receive Him directly. It has many other names, such as the Holy Sacrifice (making Christ’s sacrifice present), Holy Communion (we are united with Christ), and the Breaking of the Bread (rite Jesus used, symbolizing how we come into communion with Him). To receive, a person must be baptized, be of the age of reason (like 7 or so) have no mortal sin (if they do, they must go to confession first), and fast for an hour before receiving. The effects of this including being transformed and strengthened in Christ, bringing us more in union with God, koinonia, and forgives venial sins, to name a few.

Introductory Rites

The first segment of Mass beginning with an entrance song while the celebrant/ministers enter in procession, then reverence the altar with a bow/kiss. All gathered make the sign of the cross, celebrant greets the people, and all recite the Act of Penitence (Kyrie Eleison or Confiteor). On Sundays and solemnities, the Gloria is sung, then comes the Collect.

Liturgy of the Word

Consisting of readings from Scripture, this second part of the Mass contains the first reading (from the Old Testament or Acts during Easter), the responsorial Psalm, the second reading (from the New Testament, only read on Sundays and solemnities), then the Alleluia before the Gospel. After, the celebrant preaches the Homily, then all recite the Nicene Creed, which is the Procession of Faith, before concluding with the General Intercessions. Major segment of the Mass.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The third segment of the Mass that starts with the preparation of the gifts and altar, by which the bread and wine is brought forward by representatives. Then comes the Eucharistic prayer (preface or thanksgiving, sanctus/”Holy, Holy, Holy”, epiclesis, anamnesis, oblation, intercessions, final doxology and great amen, in that order), which is the heart of this part. Major segment of the Mass.

Communion Rite

The fourth part of Mass when all say the Lord’s prayer (aka Our Father), followed by the Rite/Sign of Peace. Then comes the Fraction Rite and the Agnus Dei. Next, all say the Centurion’s Prayer, then the people receive Communion while the communion song is sung. This is concluded with the Prayer after Communion.

Concluding Rites

The final part of Mass when any announcements are made, then the celebrant blesses the people before the deacon dismisses them.

Bread of Life Discourse

Jesus’ words in John 6, during which he says that the Eucharist is His Body and Blood meant to nourish and sustain us spiritually for everlasting life, something that is not symbolic but literal.

Old Testament Sacrifices

These were offered by a priest for the atonement of sin. The victim must be an unblemished male and must be destroyed somehow.

Jesus as a Sacrifice

The sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross (which is made present for us through the Eucharist) fulfills all the Old Testament sacrifice requirements: He is the eternal High Priest who conquered sin on the Cross. He is also the victim: male, unblemished, and killed on the Cross. At Mass, the Body of Christ is broken as well.

Matter of Eucharist

Bread and wine to signify the goodness of God’s creation. This is also what Jesus used at the Last Supper.

Form of Eucharist

The Words of Institution

Minister of Eucharist

Bishops & Priests

Celebration of Mass in the Early Church

In the early days of Christianity, Christians would go to synagogue on Saturdays to listen to the Word of God, then on Sundays gather in someone’s home (“house Church”) to remember Jesus and break bread. Later on, these were united as one Sunday morning celebration, but the contents of each persist into how we celebrate the Mass today.

Tabernacle

Holy container storing the consecrated Eucharist when it is not being used for mass or adoration.