Freshman Flashcards

Liturgy

The official public worship of the Church, encompassing rituals and celebrations that make present the saving work of Christ.

Liturgical

Relating to the official public worship of the Church.

Celebration

The act of performing a liturgy or sacrament in a communal setting.

Ritual

A set of established actions, words, and symbols in liturgical worship.

Liturgist

A person who studies or specializes in the liturgy.

Celebrant

The priest or minister who leads the liturgical celebration.

Liturgical Year

The annual cycle of seasons and feasts that structure the Church's worship.

Advent

The season of preparation for Christmas, beginning four Sundays before it.

Christmas

The season celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Ordinary Time

The periods of the liturgical year outside of major seasons, focused on the life and teachings of Christ.

Lent

The 40-day season of penance and preparation for Easter.

Holy Week

The week before Easter, commemorating the Passion of Christ.

Triduum

The three-day liturgy from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday.

Easter

The season celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus, lasting 50 days until Pentecost.

Symbol

An object or action in liturgy that points to a deeper spiritual reality.

Ritual

(Repeated term) A prescribed sequence of actions in worship.

Efficacious

Producing the intended spiritual effect through God's grace.

Disposition

The inner readiness or attitude of the participant for receiving grace.

Sacrament

An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.

Grace

God's free gift of divine life and help.

Sacramentals

Sacred signs that prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.

Holy Water

Water blessed for use in sacramentals, reminding of Baptism and warding off evil.

Sacraments of Christian Initiation

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, which incorporate a person fully into the Church.

Baptism

The sacrament that cleanses from original sin and incorporates into Christ and the Church.

Catechumenate

The period of formation for those preparing for Baptism.

Catechumen

An unbaptized person in the process of preparing for Baptism.

Sacramental Character

A permanent spiritual mark conferred by Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

Indelible Character

The permanent, unremovable seal from certain sacraments.

Oil of the Catechumens

Blessed oil used to strengthen the candidate before Baptism.

Oil of the Chrism

Consecrated oil used in Baptism (and Confirmation) to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Water

The essential matter of Baptism, symbolizing cleansing and new life.

Baptismal Candle

Lit from the Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ as light.

Clothing in White Garment

Symbolizes putting on Christ and purity after Baptism.

Ordinary (Minister of Baptism)

A bishop, priest, or deacon.

Extraordinary (Minister of Baptism)

Any person with the right intention in emergencies.

Baptismal Rite

The liturgical ceremony including renunciation of sin, profession of faith, and pouring/immersion in water.

3-Fold Ministry of Christ

Priest, Prophet, and King, shared by the baptized.

Sanctifying Grace

The grace received in Baptism that makes one holy and a child of God.

Infant Baptism

Baptism of children, based on faith of parents and Church.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

The process for adults preparing for Baptism (formerly RCIA).

Waters over the Abyss

Biblical symbol (Genesis) of chaos overcome by God's spirit, prefiguring Baptism.

Great Flood

Noah's flood as a type of Baptism, cleansing the world.

Exodus

Crossing the Red Sea as liberation, prefiguring Baptism.

Crossing the Jordan River

Entry into the Promised Land, symbolizing entry into heaven through Baptism.

Jesus' Baptism

In the Jordan by John, revealing the Trinity and inaugurating his public ministry.

Great Commission

Jesus' command to baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19).

Last Supper

The meal where Jesus instituted the Eucharist on Holy Thursday.

Paschal Lamb

The lamb sacrificed at Passover, prefiguring Christ in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist

The sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood under bread and wine.

Reparation

Making amends for sins, a fruit of Eucharistic participation.

Assembly

The gathered community participating in the liturgy.

Consecration

The moment when bread and wine become Christ's Body and Blood.

Transubstantiation

The change of substance of bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood.

Introductory Rites

Opening part of Mass: greeting, penitential act, Gloria, collect.

Liturgy of the Word

Part of Mass with Scripture readings, homily, creed, prayers of the faithful.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Part of Mass with preparation of gifts, Eucharistic Prayer, Communion.

Eucharistic Prayer

The central prayer of thanksgiving and consecration.

Concluding Rites

Final blessing and dismissal at Mass.

Ordination

Sacrament conferring Holy Orders; Eucharist is reserved to ordained priests.

Holy Communion

Receiving the Eucharist.

Acolyte

Server who assists at the altar, especially with Eucharist.

Adoration

Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, e.g., in a monstrance.

The Lord's Supper

Another name for the Eucharist, emphasizing the meal aspect.

The Holy Sacrifice

The Eucharist as re-presentation of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

Holy Communion

(Repeated) Union with Christ and the Church through receiving the Eucharist.

Source and Summit

The Eucharist as the source and high point of Christian life (Vatican II).

Passover

Jewish feast commemorating liberation; fulfilled in the Eucharist.

Bread

Matter of the Eucharist, becoming Christ's Body.

Wine

Matter of the Eucharist, becoming Christ's Blood.

Monstrance

Vessel for exposing the Eucharist for adoration.

Real Presence

Christ's true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist.