christian spirituality final exam vocab

spirituality final

abortion

The deliberate termination of a pregnancy by killing the unborn child. It is a grave sin and a crime against human life

actual graces

God’s interventions and support for us in the everyday moments of our lives. Actual graces are important for conversion and for continuing growth in holiness

agape

Unconditional love. A Greek word used in Scripture and by the early Christians to describe a self-giving love that puts aside one’s own immediate self-interest for the interest of another

age of reason

The age at which a person can be morally responsible. This is generally regarded to be the age of seven

annulment

The declaration by the Church that a marriage is null and void, that is, it never existed as a sacramental union. Catholics who divorce must have the marriage annulled by the Church to be free to marry once again in the Church

celibate

voluntarily abstaining from all sexual activity

chastity

The virtue by which people are able to successfully and healthfully integrate their sexuality into their total person; recognized as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit

christian spirituality

channeling our innate longings (eros) towards God, Jesus, others, and the world, moving beyond mere rules to embody faith through habits, disciplines, and the ongoing incarnation of Christ in our daily lives, striving for integration and deeper connection. It's the practical, lived experience of discipleship, finding God in the ordinary and the challenging

Church

The term Church has three inseparable meanings: (1) the entire People of God throughout the world; (2) the diocese, which is also known as the local Church; (3) the assembly of believers gathered for the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist. In the Nicene Creed, the Church is recognized as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—traits that together are referred to as “Marks of the Church.”

cloistered nun

a woman in a Catholic monastery who lives a life of prayer, silence, and separation from the outside world, adhering to strict enclosure (the cloister) defined by Canon Law, focusing on deep intimacy with God through contemplation, daily prayer (Divine Office), manual labor, and service to the Church through prayer, with some orders (Poor Clares, Carmelites) practicing stricter papal or constitutional enclosure for spiritual good

cohabitation

A man and woman living together before marriage. Prohibited by the Sixth Commandment

consecrated life

a woman who dedicates her life to God through public vows, typically of chastity, poverty, and obedience

contraception

The deliberate attempt to interfere with the creation of new life as a result of sexual intercourse. It is morally wrong because a married couple must remain open to procreation whenever they engage in sexual intercourse

convalidation

A wedding ceremony in which a man and a woman in a civil marriage have their marital union recognized and blessed by the Church

covenant

A personal, solemn promise of faithful love that involves mutual commitments and creates a sacred relationship

deacon

One who is ordained for service and ministry, but not for ministerial priesthood, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons are ordained to assist priests and bishops in a variety of liturgical and charitable ministries

diaconate

The vocation and ministry of a deacon

discernment

From a Latin word meaning “to separate or to distinguish between,” it is the practice of listening for God’s call in our lives and distinguishing between good and bad choices

disciple

Comes from a Greek word meaning “a learner.” A disciple of Jesus is one who has made the decision to learn from him

divorce

The action or an instance of legally dissolving a marriage

free will

The gift from God that allows human beings to choose from among various actions, for which we are held accountable. It is the basis for moral responsibility

grace

The free and undeserved gift of God's loving and active presence in our lives that God gives us to empower us to respond to his call and to live as his adopted sons and daughters. Grace restores our loving communion with the Holy Trinity, lost through sin

holiness

is one’s primary vocation in life to be like Jesus. It means to be a “whole person” striving for virtue, avoiding sin, and living a life of love

holy

the process of growing closer to God through sanctifying grace

in vitro fertilization (ivf)

The fertilization of a woman’s ovum (egg) with a man’s sperm outside her body. The fertilized egg is transferred to the woman’s uterus. The Church considers the process to be a moral violation of the dignity of procreation

indissoluble

Incapable of being undone or broken. The Marriage bond is a commitment to lifelong fidelity and can never be dissolved

intellect

The divine gift that gives us the ability to see and understand the order of things that God places within creation and to know and understand God through the created order

laity

All members of the Church with the exception of those who are ordained as bishops, priests, and deacons. The laity share in Christ’s role as priest, prophet, and king, witnessing to God’s love and power in the world

mixed marriage

A marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic

natural family planning

A morally acceptable way to time pregnancies based on the observation of a woman’s naturally occurring times of fertility and infertility

nuptial

Something related to marriage or a marriage ceremony

priest

One who has received the ministerial priesthood through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The priest serves the community of faith by representing and assisting the bishop in teaching, governing, and presiding over the community’s worship

procreation

The begetting or bringing forth of offspring. The procreation and education of offspring is one of the ends (or purposes) of Marriage

sacrament of holy orders

The Sacrament by which baptized men are ordained for permanent ministry in the Church as bishops, priests, and deacons

sacrament of marriage

A lifelong covenant, modeled on that between Christ and the Church, in which a baptized man and a baptized woman make an exclusive and permanent commitment to faithfully love each other and to cooperate in the procreation and education of children

sacramental graces

The gifts proper to each of the Seven Sacraments

sanctifying grace

The grace that heals our human nature wounded by sin and restores us to friendship with God by giving us a share in the divine life of the Trinity. It is a supernatural gift of God, infused into our souls by the Holy Spirit, that continues the work of making us holy

states of vocation

the way one fulfills certain roles in the Church both for their own holiness, and the good of the entire Body of Christ. The four states are: consecrated single life, dedicated single life, holy marriage, and priesthood

surrogate motherhood

A medical process in which a woman becomes pregnant through artificial means, often carrying and delivering the child for someone else. The procedure is morally wrong because it separates intercourse from the act of procreation and pregnancy

unity

The state of being made one. Marriage unites the husband and wife in an unbreakable and exclusive union, and is one of the ends (or purposes) of Marriage. Thus adultery and polygamy are sins against the unity of Marriage

universal call to holiness

a core Catholic teaching, emphasized by Vatican II, stating every baptized person—laity, clergy, religious—is called to live a holy life, reflecting God's perfection in their unique circumstances, not just priests or nuns

virtue

A habitual and firm disposition to do good

vocation

A call from God to all members of the Church to embrace a life of holiness. Specifically, it refers to a call to live the holy life as an ordained minister, as a vowed religious (sister or brother), or in a Christian marriage. Single life that involves a personal consecration or commitment to a permanent, celibate gift of self to God and one's neighbor is also a vocational state