Theology IV — Unit 1: Universal Call to Holiness Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Universal Call to Holiness, love, vocation, covenants, sacraments, discernment techniques, and works of mercy.

Eros

Romantic or passionate love; attraction toward another person.

Philia

Friendship love; mutual care, loyalty, and companionship.

Storge

Family love; natural affection between family members.

Agape

Selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love that seeks another person’s good, which Christians are called to practice following Jesus.

True happiness

Lasting fulfillment that comes from knowing, loving, and serving God; in Catholic teaching, perfect happiness is ultimately found in union with God rather than possessions, popularity, or pleasure.

Directing affections rightly

Ordering your loves and desires toward what is truly good, putting God first and loving other people and things in appropriate ways rather than allowing them to replace God.

Joy

A deep, lasting sense of gladness rooted in God’s love and presence that can remain even during difficult times and is deeper than temporary happiness.

Universal Call to Holiness

The Catholic teaching that everyone is called to become holy and grow closer to God, regardless of their state in life, career, or vocation.

Laity

Members of the Church who are not ordained as clergy or members of religious institutes, called to live out the Gospel in everyday life such as family, work, school, and society.

Covenant

A sacred, binding relationship established by God that involves commitment and relationship rather than merely an ordinary agreement.

Discernment

The process of prayerfully seeking God’s will and deciding how to respond to His call through prayer, reflection, guidance, and evaluating options and gifts.

Apostolate

A work or mission through which Christians serve others and spread Christ’s love, such as volunteering, caring for those in need, or supporting a parish.

Evangelization

Sharing the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ—with others through words, actions, and the example of one’s life.

Discipleship

Following Jesus, learning from Him, living according to His teachings, and helping others come to know Him.

Common Priesthood

The share in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission given to all baptized Christians, distinct from the ordained priesthood.

Career

A person’s occupation or profession, usually involving education, skills, and work, which can serve as a way to live out a vocation but is not identical to it.

Vocation

A call from God to a particular way of life and service, including married life, priesthood, consecrated religious life, and the single life.

Paschal Mystery

The saving work of Jesus accomplished through His Passion, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, conquering sin and death.

Age of reason

The age when a child begins to understand right from wrong and make moral decisions, generally associated with around age seven in Catholic practice.

Actual graces

Temporary helps from God that enlighten the mind and strengthen the will to do good, avoid sin, and respond to Him.

Spiritual director

A trusted, qualified person who helps someone grow in their relationship with God and discern His will through prayer, conversation, and spiritual guidance.

Sacred Chrism

Blessed oil used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders that signifies consecration, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and being set apart for God’s mission.

Bride of Christ

An image for the Church representing the faithful, sacrificial covenant of love between Jesus and His people, mirroring that of a bridegroom and bride.

Mary's fiat

Mary’s “yes” to God’s plan to become the mother of Jesus, modeling faith, humility, and obedience despite not knowing everything that would happen.

Matter (Sacramental)

The physical element or sensible action used in the celebration of a sacrament.

Form (Sacramental)

The specific, required words spoken during the administration of a sacrament.

Sacraments of Initiation

The three sacraments—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—that bring a person into the fullness of Christian life.

Baptism

The sacrament of initiation using water and the Trinitarian formula that removes original and personal sin, adopts the recipient as a child of God, and grants entrance into the Church and common priesthood.

Confirmation

The sacrament of initiation that strengthens baptismal grace and seals the recipient with the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands and anointing with Sacred Chrism.

Eucharist

The sacrament in which Jesus Christ is truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearances of consecrated wheat bread and grape wine.

Indissolubility

An essential element of marriage meaning that the covenant bond between spouses is intended to be lifelong.

Holy Orders

The sacrament at the service of communion through which baptized men receive ordination into one of three degrees: deacon, priest, or bishop.

Beatitudes

Teachings delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3–12) that describe the attitudes and actions leading to true blessedness and life in God’s Kingdom.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Seven charitable actions that address physical human needs: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Seven charitable actions that address spiritual and emotional needs: counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, admonishing the sinner, comforting the afflicted, forgiving offenses willingly, bearing wrongs patiently, and praying for the living and the dead.