Theology 3 - Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Liturgy of the Hours

The prayer of the Church; it is also known as the Divine Office. The Liturgy of the Hours utilizes the Scriptures, particularly the Psalms, for praying at specific times of the day from early morning to late evening.

transcendence

A trait of God that refers to his total otherness and being infi nitely beyond and independent of creation. While God is immanent to humanity with a deep and loving relationship with man and woman that resembles that of a parent to a child, God is neither male nor female. He is pure spirit. He is God.

Day of Atonement

Known as Yom Kippur, this is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. It is a day when Jews ask forgiveness for both communal and personal sins.

Crusades

The nine armed expeditions by Christians beginning in 1095 and ending in 1291 that were intended to drive the Muslims out of the Holy Land and in the process reunite Christians of the East and West.

Inquisition

A Church tribunal established in the thirteenth century that was designed to curb heretical teachings and beliefs. In collaboration with secular authorities, papal representatives employed the Inquisition to judge the guilt of suspected heretics with the aim of getting them to repent. Unfortunately, before long, many abuses crept into the process.

sacramental graces

The grace of the Holy Spirit, given by Christ, that is proper to each sacrament.

vocation

The calling or destiny we have in this life and in the hereafter.

common priesthood of the faithful

The priesthood of all the baptized in which we share in Christ's work of Salvation.

evangelical counsels

Vows of personal poverty, chastity

understood as lifelong celibacy, and obedience to a bishop

or to the superior of a religious community.

domestic church

A name for the Christian family. In the family, parents and children exercise their priesthood of the baptized by worshiping God, receiving the sacraments, and witnessing to Christ and the Church by living as faithful disciples.

intercession

A prayer of petition for the sake of others.

beatific vision

Seeing God "face-to-face" in Heaven, the source of our eternal happiness; the fi nal union with the Triune God for all eternity.

Doctor of the Church

A Church writer of great learning and holiness whose works the Church has highly recommended for studying and living the Faith.

sacramental

A sacred sign (e.g., an object, a place, or an action) that resembles the sacraments. Through the prayers of the Church, spiritual effects are signifi ed and obtained.

novena

A nine-day prayer for a certain intention.

Church Fathers

A traditional designation given to theologians of the fi rst eight centuries whose teachings made a lasting mark on the Church. Also called Fathers of the Church.

Annunciation

The visit by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary to announce that she would be the Mother of the Savior. After giving her consent, Mary became Mother of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Feast of the Annunciation is on March 25.

Immaculate Conception

The belief that Mary was conceived without Original Sin. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is on December 8 and is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Assumption

The Church dogma that teaches that the Blessed Mother, because of her unique role as the Mother of God, was taken directly to Heaven when her earthly life was over. The Feast of the Assumption is on August 15 and is a Holy Day of Obligation.

mortal sin

a serious violation of God's law of love that results in the loss of God's life in the soul of the sinner