Unit 4 Vocabulary Quiz Reconciliation

Abstinence

Abstinence

A penitential practice, consisting in abstaining from the use of certain kinds of food. Also refraining from sexual activity either before marriage or within marriage for certain periods of time as part of a program of natural family planning

Alms-giving

The practice of Christian charity through the selfless donation of time, money, and other resources. Alms-giving, together with prayer and fasting, are traditionally recommended to foster interior penance

Confession

An essential element of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Penance), which consists in telling one’s sins to the priestly minister. By extension, the word Confession is used to refer to the Sacrament itself

Conscience

The inner voice of a human being, in those heart is inscribed the law of God. Moral conscience is a judgement of practical reason about the moral quality of a human action that a person will do, is in the process of doing, or has already done

Contrition

true sorrow for and hatred of committed sins, coupled with the firm purpose to sin no more. Contrition is necessary to make a good confession and for the priest to absolve a penitent in the Sacrament of Penance

Conversion

A radical reorientation of one’s whole life away from sin and evil and toward God. This is a central element of Christ’s preaching, of the Church’s ministry of evangelization, and of the Sacrament of Penance

Examination of Conscience

Prayerful self-reflection one’s words and deeds in light of the Gospel to determine how one has sinned against God. This is necessary to prepare for the Sacrament of Penance

Fasting

Mortification by deprivation of food or drink. This is an ancient religious practice that denies that desires of the flesh in order to strengthen the spirit

Free Will

This gift from God includes the power of directing one’s own actions without constraint. It makes possible the choice to love God

General Absolution

A form of the rite of Penance that is rarely used. In extreme circumstances, a group of people may be absolved of their sins without individual confession of sins

Imperfect Contrition (Attrition)

Sorrow of the soul and detestation of the sin committed together with the resolution not to sin again as a result of fear of God’s punishment rather than out of love of God

Indulgence

The remission of the temporal punishment due to sin that has already been forgiven

Lectio Divina

Reading and meditation on Scripture

Moral Law

The ethical code, authorized and revealed by God and safeguarded by the Church, imposing obligations on the conscience of each person

Mortal Sin

A grave offense against God that destroys a person’s relationship with him by serving him or her from divine love. It destroys charity in the heart of man; it turns man away from God, who is his ultimate end and his beatitude, by preferring an inferior good to him.

Partial Indulgence

An indulgence that removes part of temporal punishment due to sin

Penance

A conversion of heart toward God and away from sin; this includes the intention to change one’s life because of hope in divine mercy. It is often characterized by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving

Perfect Contrition

Sorrow of the soul and detestation of the sin committed together with the resolution not to sin again as a result of love for God above all else

Plenary Indulgence

An indulgence that removes all the temporal punishment due to sin

Purgatory

A state of final purification of the soul after death but before entrance into Heaven; this is for those who died in God’s friendship but were only imperfectly purified

Reconciliation

Also called Penance or Confession: The Sacrament by which Christ forgives sins. Jesus gave his Apostles - who passed it on to their successors down to this day - the power to forgive or retain sins

Satisfaction

An act whereby the sinner makes amends, especially in reparation to God for offenses against him

Scrupulosity

The quality of one whose conscience judges an action to be morally evil when in fact it is not or judges a sin to be mortal when it is venial

Seal of Confession (Sacramental Seal)

The Church has given us the Seal of Confession in order to encourage the use of the great gift of Reconciliation, which Christ has given us for our spiritual benefit

The confessor’s obligation to keep absolutely secret what a penitent has told him in the Sacrament of Penance; also known as the sacramental seal

Sensuality

A preoccupation with the senses or appetites; overindulgence in sensual pleasure, often to the development of deficiencies in the spiritual, mortal, or intellectual realms

Sin of Omission

Sin by means of failure to commit a good act, such as attend Mass on Sunday or forgive a sinner. Willful neglect or positive refusal to perform some good action, such as attending Mass, that one’s conscience urges one to do

Spiritual Direction

Assisting persons to understand themselves and, with divine grace, to grow in the practice of Christian virtue, while acting as a vehicle for the Holy Spirit, the true spiritual director

Temporal Punishment

The punishment due to sin in order to heal the rift with God. It is purified either during one’s earthly life, through prayer and conversion, or after death in Purgatory

Venial Sin

An offense against the law and love of God that does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace. It does, however, weaken a person’s love for God and neighbor

Sin of Commission

Sin by means of committing an evil act such as theft or murder