final study guide ecclesiolgy

What is the Holy Trinity?

The Holy Trinity states that there are three Divine Persons in one God, revealing who God truly is.

What is the Church?

The Church is the people whom God has called together to become His children through faith and baptism.

What does 'ekklesia' mean?

'Ekklesia' means assembly and is derived from a verb that means to call out of.

How are the three Divine Persons distinguished?

They are distinguished solely based on their relationships to one another.

What do the relationships between the Divine Persons reveal?

The Father begets the Son, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

What does the revelation of the Holy Trinity teach us?

It teaches that God is love.

What does it mean to be made in the 'image and likeness' of God?

It means having a spiritual nature, with intellect and free will.

What is the 'last end' of the human person?

Man is ordered towards perfect communion with God and all the blessed in heaven.

Can men and women attain their last end by their own powers?

No, they cannot because of the disproportion between human nature and God's nature.

Why is the Church called a 'mystery'?

A mystery is a reality that is not fully comprehensible, reflecting God's infinite nature.

Who forms the Church as the 'People of God'?

God's own people form the Church as the 'People of God.'

What makes the Church a 'distinct people'?

God has called men to be holy and to serve Him as a unified people.

Why is the Church called the 'Body of Christ'?

Christ is the head of the body, ruling and governing the Church.

Who is the Head of the Church?

Jesus is the head of the Church.

Who is the visible head of the Church?

The Pope is the visible head of the Church.

Who is the Soul of the Church?

The Holy Spirit is the Soul of the Church.

Who are the members of the Mystical Body of Christ?

Members include Christ as the head, the laity, clergy, and religious men and women.

Why is the Church called the 'Temple of the Holy Spirit'?

Because it is a visible structure consisting of living stones where God dwells.

What is the relationship between Christ and the Church?

It is often described in terms of bridegroom and bride.

What is the 'Mother of the Faithful'?

A title for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What is the 'New Israel'?

The Catholic Church is the New Israel, fulfilling the promises made to Israel.

Who is the Father in the 'Family of God'?

God the Father is the Father of the family.

What is the 'Sacrament of Salvation'?

The Church is a sign of man's union with God and one another.

Why is the Church called a 'Perfect Society'?

Because it possesses all means necessary for the salvation of souls.

What was the state of our first parents?

They were created in Original Holiness.

What does the 'original state of holiness' mean?

It is the pristine condition of humanity before the fall, characterized by sharing in God's Divine Life.

What were the results of the Fall of Adam and Eve?

It resulted in a loss of original holiness and justice, creating separation from God.

What does the flood foreshadow?

The flood waters symbolize purification and foreshadow spiritual renewal akin to baptism.

What does the ark symbolize?

The ark represents the Church, offering refuge and preserving life.

How does the Divine promise to Abraham affect all nations?

It establishes a channel of universal spiritual blessing through his descendant, Jesus Christ.

What is the orientation of the Book of Exodus?

It describes the pivotal departure of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

What results from the covenant at Mt. Sinai?

It establishes relationships, the Torah/law, and identity as a holy nation.

What is the relationship between King David's kingdom and God's kingdom?

David's kingdom serves as a prefiguration of God's Eternal Kingdom.

What does God promise King David?

A lasting dynasty and an everlasting kingdom.

How does the Song of Solomon relate to the Church?

It illustrates the intense love between Jesus Christ and the Church.

Why did God create the world?

To freely display His glory, share His love, and express His infinite goodness.

How did Our Lord establish the Church?

By choosing and training the apostles, appointing Saint Peter as head, instituting the sacraments, giving authority to teach, and sending the Holy Spirit.

How is the call of the disciples related to the definition of 'the Church'?

Discipleship defines the Church as an active community that mirrors Christ's life.

How is the 'Sermon on the Mount' related to the covenant at Mt. Sinai?

Jesus teaches the ethical foundation of the New Covenant, similar to Moses receiving the law.

What gives 'birth' to the Church?

The Holy Spirit gives birth to the Church, traditionally celebrated at Pentecost.

What is the primitive forgiveness of sins?

It replaces the old Covenants external laws with inner spiritual transformation and reconciles humanity to God.

Who provided the Church with her hierarchical structure?

Jesus Christ provided the Church with her hierarchical structure by appointing the 12 apostles, with Saint Peter as her head.

How ought a Catholic respond to a person who claims that the Church is merely a human institution?

The Church is both a visible human society and an invisible spiritual reality.

What is an essential feature or characteristic of the Church and her mission?

Mark.

What does 'catholic' mean in the context of the Church?

The Church's universality, intended for all people, everywhere at all times.

From whom did the Church receive her marks?

The Church received her marks from Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Can the marks of the Church be lost or altered?

No, they are essential and cannot be lost or altered.

What does it mean to claim that the Church is 'indefectible'?

The Church now is and will always remain the same institution of Salvation founded by Christ, unable to decay.

How can things other than God be holy?

They are set apart for God and reflect His holiness.

In what ways is the Church one?

The Church is united in faith, worship, and leadership, reflecting the unity of God.

In what ways is the Church holy?

The Church is founded by God and called to holiness, serving as a sign and instrument of God's grace.

In what ways is the Church catholic?

The Church is universal, intended for all people, everywhere at all times.

In what ways is the Church apostolic?

The Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles with their teaching and authority passed down.

What is a sacrament?

An efficacious sign, instituted by Christ, through which Divine life is dispensed to us.

What is the Incarnation?

The assumption of our human nature by Christ.

What is the Paschal Mystery?

Christ's redemption through his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father.

What is the Sacred Liturgy?

The official public worship of the Church.

What is the Real Presence?

The whole Christ really present in the form of bread and wine in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

What is transubstantiation?

The change of the whole substance of bread and wine into the whole substance of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ at consecration.

How do sacraments differ from ordinary signs?

They are efficacious signs of grace instituted by Christ, containing and conferring the graces they signify.

What does it mean to call Christ 'the Sacrament of God'?

Jesus is the visible sign of the invisible God, making God's saving presence and love directly accessible to humanity.

What does it mean to call the Church 'the Sacrament of Christ'?

The Church is a visible sign and instrument of God's enduring presence, grace, and saving work in the world.

What is the primary means by which communion with God and men is established in the Church?

The communion in the Church is established primarily through the seven sacraments.

What figures were anointed in the Old Testament?

Priests, kings, and prophets.

Why is Our Lord properly called 'the Anointed One'?

In Hebrew, messiah; in Greek, Christos.

Which offices of the Church correspond to the roles of Our Lord as Priest, Prophet, and King?

Priestly office corresponds to Priest, teaching office corresponds to Prophet, and ruling office corresponds to King.

When did the priesthood of Our Lord reach its climax?

On the cross, where he was the Eternal High Priest offering the perfect sacrifice.

What does Our Lord continue to accomplish through the priestly office of the Church?

The Church is joined to the Eternal High Priest, Christ, in offering fitting worship to God and sanctifying mankind.

How is the Paschal Mystery related to the Sacred Liturgy?

The Paschal Mystery is signified and made present in the Sacred Liturgy.

What rites of the Church are included in the Sacred Liturgy?

Liturgical traditions and sacramental ceremonies.

What is the primary effect of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?

It deepens one's union with Christ and charity.

How does the Sacred Liturgy celebrated by the pilgrim Church on earth relate to the Heavenly Liturgy?

The Pilgrim Church on Earth participates in the Heavenly Liturgy with all the blessed in heaven.

What is the 'Deposit of Faith'?

The fullness of divine revelation (sacred tradition plus sacred scripture).

What does 'Peter' mean in Latin?

The name Peter that our Lord gives to Simon, meaning Rock.

What is infallibility?

The supernatural gift by which the Church is preserved from error in her definitive teaching regarding faith and morals.

What is impeccability?

Incapable of sin.

What does 'ex cathedra' mean?

From the chair.

What is the obedience of faith?

The free submission of intellect and will to the truth proposed because its truth is guaranteed by God.

What is religious assent?

The submission of intellect and will in which one submits their judgment to that of the Pope or Bishop.

Why did God reveal Himself to mankind?

From the fullness of His love so that we might come to know Him and enter into communion with Him.

Why will there be no new public Divine revelation?

No new public revelation is expected since God the Father has given one perfect and unsurpassable word.

What did Our Lord entrust to His Apostles?

The fullness of His saving truth.

Did He provide that it would be handed down in its full integrity to all generations?

Yes, He provided that it would be transmitted in its full integrity.

Has the Church preserved and transmitted all that she has received?

Yes, the Church preserves and transmits all that she has received in her doctrine, worship, and life.

Is Sacred Scripture the fullness of Divine revelation? Why or why not?

No, because the apostles handed down what they received from the words and works of our Lord.

Who established the teaching office of the Church?

Jesus Christ.

What is the Latin name for the teaching office of the Church?

Magisterium.

To whom did Our Lord confer the authority to teach in His Name?

The Apostles.

Who are the successors to St. Peter and the Apostles?

The Bishops and Popes.

What are the purposes of the Magisterium?

Transmitting the Deposit of Faith and interpreting it authoritatively.

May the Magisterium of the Church add to or subtract from the Deposit of Faith?

No, it cannot add to or subtract from the Deposit of Faith.

What is the role of the Magisterium?

The Magisterium serves the word of God by protecting and explaining the deposit of faith, not changing it.

By whose authority do the ministers of the Catholic Church act?

They act by the authority of Jesus Christ.

Who is the visible source and foundation of unity in the Church?

The Bishops.

What sort of power does the pope exercise over the Church?

He exercises Supreme, common media, and Universal ordinary power.

Who are the successors to the other Apostles?

Popes and Bishops.

What are the primary responsibilities of bishops?

To teach, sanctify, and govern those entrusted to their care.

Who is the source of the Church's gift of infallibility?

The Holy Spirit.

What is the purpose of the gift of infallibility?

To ensure that the Church remains in the truth and to prevent the faithful from being led into error regarding matters of faith and morals.

What conditions are necessary for the gift of infallibility to be exercised by the pope?

The pope must proclaim a doctrine or teaching by a definitive act to be held by the whole Church, pertaining to faith or morals.