Catholic Theology, Discipleship, and Catholic Social Teaching

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Catholic Social Teaching, discipleship, Marian dogmas, grace, human dignity, the Paschal Mystery, and the theology of human emotions.

Paschal Mystery

The four central events of Jesus' life that accomplished our salvation: Passion (Suffering), Death (Crucifixion), Resurrection (Easter), and Ascension (Return to the Father).

Pesach

The Hebrew word meaning "Passover," which serves as the origin for the word "Paschal." Jesus fulfills this as the New Passover.

Grace

A supernatural infusion of divine love and unmerited favor; a free gift of God's own life that acts as a bridge reaching out to humanity in our weakness.

Sanctifying Grace

A habitual gift that remains in the soul, makes us holy, and establishes our permanent residence in God's family.

Actual Grace

Transient, moment-by-moment divine help described as a "nudge" or "spark" from God that assists a person in making a good choice.

Sacramental Grace

Specific spiritual gifts (such as healing, strength, and wisdom) communicated through the Seven Sacraments, with the Eucharist being the greatest channel.

Three Dimensions of Grace

1. Free Gift (unmerited favor given because God loves us); 2. Participation (a share in God's own life); 3. Relationship (the bridge between humanity and God).

Mercy (Misericordia)

Grace in action; derived from the Latin misericordia, literally meaning a "heart for the miserable," recognized in Catholic tradition as the bridge connecting God and man.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Seven charitable acts that address human physical survival and bodily dignity, rooted in Matthew 25: Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless, Visit the sick, Visit the imprisoned, and Bury the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Seven charitable acts addressing the needs of the human soul and spirit: Admonish the sinner, Instruct the ignorant, Counsel the doubtful, Comfort the sorrowful, Bear wrongs patiently, Forgive all injuries, and Pray for the living and the dead.

Disciple

From the root meaning "student" or "learner"; someone who follows in the footsteps of Jesus by listening to the Master and growing in personal faith.

Apostle

From the root meaning "one who is sent"; a specific leadership office in the Church focused on preaching, leading the community, and acting as an ambassador for Christ.

Three Pillars of Discipleship

Learn, Follow, and Witness (or Listen).

Imago Dei

A Latin concept meaning "made in the image and likeness of God," which forms the foundational basis of all human dignity.

Theotokos

The first Marian dogma, defining Mary as the true "Mother of God" because she gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Perpetual Virginity

The second Marian dogma, holding that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Christ, symbolizing her complete and undivided dedication to God.

Immaculate Conception

The third Marian dogma, stating that Mary was conceived without the stain of Original Sin to prepare her as a pure vessel for the Savior.

The Assumption

The fourth Marian dogma, stating that at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory.

Latria

Adoration and supreme worship that belongs strictly and exclusively to God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Hyperdulia

The special veneration, honor, and respect accorded to Mary as God's greatest masterpiece, the first disciple, and the ultimate intercessor.

Catholic Social Teaching (CST)

The Church's response and "love in action" addressing the social, economic, and political issues of our time, built upon seven core principles.

Four Attributes of Human Dignity

1. Inherent (an essential part of being human); 2. Inviolable (cannot be assaulted or profaned); 3. Inalienable (cannot be surrendered or taken away); 4. Universal (applies to every person from conception to natural death).

Consistent Ethic of Life

The Catholic moral framework of protecting human dignity across every stage of existence "from womb to tomb" (the unborn, poor, refugee, prisoner, and dying).

Three Foundations of CST

1. Scripture (Gospel values and prophetic justice); 2. Tradition (wisdom of saints and theologians over 2,000 years); 3. Magisterium (papal encyclicals addressing modern social crises).

Preferential Option for the Poor

A foundational CST principle calling individuals and communities to imitate God's special closeness by giving prioritized consideration to the poor and vulnerable in all decisions.

The Common Good

The sum total of social conditions allowing individuals and groups to reach fulfillment, resting on three pillars: Respect for the person, Social well-being of the group, and Peace (stability and security of a just order).

Rights of Workers

Catholic teachings ensuring fair wages to support a family, the right to organize and join labor associations/unions, access to meaningful employment, and private property ownership.

The Principal Institution

The family, designated as the primary social institution that must be sustained so that individuals can actively participate in society and foster community spirit.

Passions

The Catholic theological term for emotions; movements of the sensitive appetite that incline human beings to act toward something perceived or imagined as good or evil.

Body-Soul Unity

The Catholic teaching that human beings are an integrated composite of body and soul, meaning bodily emotions are the natural physical responses to the perceptions of the soul.

Pillars of Emotional Virtue

1. Self-Awareness (recognizing feelings' spiritual impact); 2. Self-Regulation (practicing temperance to govern impulsive reactions); 3. Empathy (cultivating charity by walking in the shoes of the marginalized).

Three Pillars of Maturity

1. Reason (intellectually evaluating if an emotion is rooted in truth); 2. The Will (choosing righteous action despite emotional pulls); 3. Grace (asking the Holy Spirit to transform raw passions into acts of love).

Temple of the Heart

The theological metaphor that human emotions are a sacred energy meant to power Christian mission like fire in an engine, requiring discernment to avoid destructive burnout.

Self-Acceptance (Humility)

Recognizing God as Creator, accepting gifts for service, seeing weakness as an opportunity for grace, and producing inner peace and freedom to love rather than prideful competition.

Intrinsic Worth vs. Self-Esteem

Intrinsic worth is permanent, unchangeable value built-in by God at conception; self-esteem is performance-based and fluctuates based on grades, appearance, or popularity.

Dignity vs. Utility

The clash between secular culture (valuing humans solely by performance, usefulness, or score) and Catholic teaching (valuing humans permanently because they are deliberately willed and loved by God).

The Comparison Trap

A social media pitfall where individuals judge their own "behind-the-scenes" against everyone else's "highlight reel," corrected by recognizing one is a soul rather than a profile.

The Triduum

The liturgical high point of the Church year: Holy Thursday (Last Supper, Eucharist, Priesthood, washing of feet), Good Friday (Passion and Death on the Cross), and Easter Vigil (celebrating the Resurrection).

Redemptive Suffering

The truth that Christ transformed suffering into a pathway to holiness by bearing the debt of human sin on the Cross, showing that sacrifice leads to new life.

Ascension

The event occurring 40 days after Easter when Jesus returned to the Father, entering Heaven body and soul while retaining His full human nature.

New Passover vs. Old Passover

In Exodus, an unblemished lamb's blood on doorposts saved from physical death to enter Canaan; in the New Passover, Jesus the Lamb sheds His blood on the Cross to deliver humanity from sin and hell into Heaven.

Bl. Carlo Acutis

A modern teenage witness of discipleship who utilized the internet to evangelize, spread the Gospel, and cultivate love for the Eucharist.

Field Hospital

Pope Francis's description of the Church's calling to provide humble service, immediate healing, and unconditional mercy to the suffering and marginalized.