Year 9 Religious Education Assessment – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarising essential terms and definitions from the Year 9 Religious Education assessment notes.

Jesus

Second Person of the Trinity; true God who became true man to save humanity.

Emmanuel

A title for Jesus meaning “God is with us.”

Paschal Mystery

The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus that completes God’s revelation and saves humanity.

Incarnation

Christian belief that the divine Son of God became fully human in the person of Jesus.

Kingdom of God

Reign of God’s love and goodness that will ultimately triumph over evil.

Beatitudes

Teachings of Jesus that present religious virtues and blessings drawing on God’s saving power.

Two Great Commandments

Jesus’ summary of the Law calling people to love God and neighbour.

Galilee

Region where Jesus began his public ministry.

Bible

Sacred Scripture composed of Old and New Testaments revealing God’s word.

Old Testament

First part of the Bible focusing on God’s covenant with Israel.

New Testament

Second part of the Bible beginning with the Gospels and centered on Jesus’ life and the early Church.

Gospels

First New Testament books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John—proclaiming the Good News of Jesus.

Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark and Luke; they share similar structure and content.

Covenant

Sacred promise between God and people, fully renewed by Jesus at the Last Supper.

The Fall

Genesis story describing the loss of original holiness and justice through sin.

Easter

Most important feast celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection.

Mass

Central Catholic liturgy re-presenting the Last Supper and Christ’s sacrifice.

Liturgy of the Word

Part of the Mass focused on Scripture readings, climaxing in the Gospel.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Part of the Mass in which bread and wine become Christ’s Body and Blood.

Prayer of the Faithful

Intercessory prayer at Mass that considers the needs of Church and world.

Eucharist

Sacrament in which Catholics receive Jesus’ Body and Blood for spiritual nourishment.

Consecration

Moment during Mass when, through the celebrant’s words and actions, bread and wine become Christ’s Body and Blood.

Laying on of Hands

Ritual gesture in Confirmation signifying the fullness of the Holy Spirit, first received by Apostles at Pentecost.

Baptism

Sacrament that initiates people into the Church; makes the body a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Symbols of Baptism

Water and oil of chrism (among others) signifying cleansing and anointing.

Apostles’ Creed

Prayer that summarises core Christian beliefs.

Bishops

Successors of the Twelve Apostles who lead dioceses and safeguard Church teaching.

Sanctuary

Sacred area in a church where the Eucharist is celebrated.

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Christian belief that each baptised person’s body is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Church Tradition

Passing on of Jesus’ teachings under guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Magisterium

Teaching authority of the Catholic Church that preserves and interprets Jesus’ teaching.

Stewardship

Christian responsibility to act with mercy and justice toward creation.

Eighth Commandment

“You shall not bear false witness”; calls believers to speak truthfully about others.

Disciple

Follower of Jesus who lives his teachings and spreads the Gospel.

John the Baptist

New Testament prophet who prepared the way for Jesus and baptised in the Jordan.

Saint Paul

Apostle and author of many epistles; former persecutor converted on the road to Damascus.

Acts of the Apostles

New Testament book describing early Church history and missionary work.

Pentecost

Event when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles enabling them to speak in many languages.

Sacrament of Penance

Sacrament through which Catholics receive God’s forgiveness and healing.

Our Father (Lord’s Prayer)

Prayer taught by Jesus, central to Christian worship.

Last Supper

Passover meal where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the New Covenant.

Body of Christ

Title for the Church whose members are united to Christ as a living body.

Liturgical Calendar

Cycle of Church seasons and feasts that reflect Jesus’ life and teachings.

Advent

Liturgical season of preparation for Christmas, symbolised by violet for repentance.

Lent

Forty-day penitential season preparing for Easter, also marked by violet vestments.

Violet (Liturgical Color)

Color symbolising repentance, used in Advent and Lent.

Diocese

Local Church community led by a bishop.

Archdiocese of Perth

Western Australian ecclesiastical jurisdiction led by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.

Christian Family

Considered by the Church to be the foundational unit of society.