Unit 1 - Theology 3

Sacrament

Sacraments are efficacious signs or grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.

Efficacious sign

Signs that make real what they symbolize (ex: Sacraments = signs of grace)

Intellect

One of the rational faculties of the human soul; a person's ability to use reason in pursuit of truth

Free Will

One of the faculties of the human soul; a person's ability to choose and act based upon knowledge and understanding

Original Sin

The state of human nature deprived of the original holiness and justice Adam and Eve enjoyed before the fall

Incarnation

The fact that the Son of God assumed human nature and became man in order to accomplish our salvation. Jesus Christ, the son of God, the second person of the Trinity, is both true God and true man

Grace

The free and undeserved gift of His own divine life that God gives us to human persons

Sanctify

To set apart and make holy

Actual Grace

Help given to us by God for the performance of good acts

Sanctifying Grace

The free and undeserved gift of a share in God’s own life. It is a stable disposition, which means we remain in a state of grace unless we lose the divine life through mortal sin. We first receive grace at Baptism, it is strengthened through the other sacraments, and restored through the Sacrament of penance and Reconciliation

Mortal Sin

Serious sin that we choose to commit even though we know it is wrong. Mortal sin completely separates us from God, destroys His divine life within us, and rejects His love for us.

Sign

Something that stands for or represents something else.

Miracle

A supernatural act of God that demonstrates His power over all things and are signs of the Kingdom of God.

Trinitarian

Relating to the Trinity.

Reality

The existence or the state of something as it truly is.

Paschal Mystery

Christ’s work of redemption accomplished by His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension.

Venial Sin

Less serious sin that hurts our relationship with God but does not destroy it.

Matter

The material sign in the celebration of a Sacrament used by Christ to reveal His presence and show His work.

Form

The words said, or the formula, which communicates what God is doing in the celebration of a Sacrament.

Minister

The person with the authority to use the matter and speak the form to administer a Sacrament.

Ex Opere Operato

Phrase referring to how the grace we receive in the Sacraments comes from God’s power and does not depend on the righteousness of the minister or the recipient. Latin for “by the work worked.”
(Nevertheless, the fruits of grace also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them.)

Disposition

The quality, character, or state of mind of a person necessary to perform a specific action, especially to be prepared for an encounter with God.

Prayer

The raising of one’s mind and heart to God in praise of His glory, giving thanks, or asking for His blessing on others. A relationship with God.

Liturgical Prayer

The prayers of the particular Sacramental celebrations, crafted by the Church to express what we are asking God to do and to show what God is doing.

Liturgy

The public work or worship of the Church. It is the participation of the people of God in the “work of God,” which is our salvation from sin.

Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

Latin phrase expressing that the law of prayer is the law of belief; the way we pray forms what we believe, and vice versa. Prayer and belief are mutually reinforcing.

Sacred Tradition

The living transmission of the Gospel message in the Church.

Sacred Scripture

The written record of God’s revelation of Himself contained in the Old and New Testaments. It was composed by human authors inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bible. The Word of God.

Sacraments of Healing

Sacraments in which Christ restores us to spiritual health: Penance and Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.

Salvation

Union with God

Heaven

Where we find perfect union with God

Sacramental

Smaller things that used to be considered as sacraments, ex. rosary, holy water, crucifixes

Valid

Accepted and recongized by the Church. Meaning that the Church endorses the sacrament

Licit

Done accordingly to the church teaching, I.e. following proper form, correct verbage, and correct ritual. Sacraments can still be valid even if not licit.

Sacramental Economy

God -> Christ -> Church -> Sacraments

Mysterion

Greek term meaning "that which awaits disclosure or interpretation"

4th Lateran Council

When/Where they choose the word "sacraments"

Sacramentum

Latin word meaning "oath" and roman soldiers would use

Steps of Lection Divina

Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio

Foresight

Virtue of planning prudently for the future

Prudence

Using reason