Key Concepts in Catholic Morality and Sin

ABSTINENCE

Refers to the obligation to abstain from something, typically food or drink.

ACTUAL SIN

A thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to God's eternal law.

BEATITUDE

Happiness or blessedness, especially the eternal happiness of Heaven.

BEATITUDES

The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount on the meaning and way to true happiness.

COMMANDMENT

A norm of moral or religious action.

CONCUPISCENCE

Human appetites or desires remain disordered due to the temporal consequences of Original Sin.

CONVERSION

A radical reorientation of one's whole life away from sin and evil and toward God.

COVENANT

A solemn agreement between people or between God and man involving mutual commitments and guarantees.

DECALOGUE

From the Greek for 'ten sayings,' the Ten Commandments given by God through Moses.

DIVINE REVELATION

God's communication of his divine life, so that man can know him and respond to his love.

FASTING

Mortification by deprivation of food.

FORMAL COOPERATION

A deliberate assistance to another person in the commission of evil.

FORMAL SIN

Sin that is freely and deliberately committed.

HABITUAL SIN

A permanent state of culpability caused by the frequent commission of actual sins.

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION

A Sunday or other feast day of importance that Christians are obliged to keep holy.

IDOLATRY

The worship or adoration due God alone paid to images or any created object.

IMPERFECT CONTRITION

Sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed due to fear of God's punishment.

INTRINSIC EVIL

An act that is evil in and of itself and never justifiable.

JUSTICE

One of the four cardinal virtues, referring to observance of the divine law.

KINGDOM OF GOD

The heavenly kingdom of God and the call to establish it on earth.

MAGISTERIUM

The ordinary and universal teaching authority of the pope and bishops.

MATERIAL COOPERATION

An action that plays a role in an evil deed but lacks the deliberate consent.

MORTAL SIN

A grave offense against God that destroys a person's relationship with him.

NEW COVENANT

The new order established by God in Jesus Christ.

OCCASION OF SIN

A person, place, thing, or situation that generally leads to temptation.

OLD COVENANT

The Mosaic Law and its stipulation from God to the Israelites.

PERFECT CONTRITION

Sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed due to love for God.

PERSONAL SIN

Sin that results from deliberation and an act of the will with knowledge.

PHYSICAL EVIL

An evil that is committed by an act as opposed to an interior attitude.

REDEMPTION

The possibility of spending eternity in Heaven made possible by Christ.

REPENTANCE

True sorrow for one's own sins and the firm resolution to avoid all sin.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Justice; conformity of life to the requirements of the divine or moral law.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament by which Christ forgives sins.

SALVATION

The Redemption and the promise of Heaven brought about by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

SIN

A transgression of the Divine Law and an offense against God.

SIN OF COMMISSION

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

SIN OF OMISSION

Sin by means of failure to commit a good act.

VENIAL SIN

An offense against the law and love of God that does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace.