Catholic Theology: Sacraments, Christology, Morality, and Prayer

A comprehensive vocabulary review of 107 foundational Catholic theological concepts covering the Sacraments, Christology, Moral Theology, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Christian Prayer.

EXPLAIN WHY it is true that the Sacrament of the Eucharist is called 'The Lord's Supper.'

It is true that the sacrament of the Eucharist is called The Lord's Supper, because of its connection with the supper Jesus shared with his disciples on the eve of his Passion, and anticipating the wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem (CCC 1329).

 EXPLAIN WHY it is true that the Eucharist is called 'the source and summit of the Christian life.'

It is true that the Eucharist is called the Source and Summit of the Christian life because all other sacraments, ecclesiastical ministries, and works of the apostolate are bound up in and oriented toward it, containing the Church's whole spiritual good, Christ himself (CCC 1324).

EXPLAIN WHY it is true that the Eucharist is also called 'Holy Mass.'

It is true that the Eucharist is also called the Holy Mass because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God's will in their daily lives clusion of the liturgy, so that they may fulfill God's will in their daily lives.

EXPLAIN WHY this is NOT a true statement: “The sacrifice of the Eucharist is a re-sacrifice of Christ on the altar.”

It is not true that the Eucharist is a re-sacrifice of the Christ on the altar because the sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice, Only the manner of offering is different.  The victim is the same, Christ who offered himself on the cross now offers himself through the ministry of the priest. Since in this divine sacrifice, which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner... this sacrifice is truly propitiatory 

 EXPLAIN WHY it is true that the gospel of John addresses the Institution of the Eucharist in a way that is different from the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke.   

It is True that the Gospel of John addresses the Institution of the Eucharist in a way that is different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  The three synoptic Gospels and St. Paul have handed on to us the account of the institution of the Eucharist, while John reports the words of Jesus in the synagogue of Capernaum calling himself the bread of life , come down from heaven, which

Eucharistic Sacrifice of Praise

The dimension of the Eucharist wherein the whole of creation is presented to the Father through Christ's death and Resurrection in thanksgiving for all that God has made good, beautiful, and just (CCC 1359).

Unified Act of Eucharistic Worship

The single act of worship comprising the proclamation of the Word of God, thanksgiving to the Father, the consecration of bread and wine, and participation in the liturgical banquet (CCC 1408).

Christ as Priest and Offering in the Mass

The reality that Christ, the eternal high priest of the New Covenant acting through the ministry of priests, is both the one who offers the Eucharistic sacrifice and the offering really present under the species of bread and wine (CCC 1410).

Eucharistic Remission and Preservation from Sin

The twofold effect of the Eucharist whereby it enkindles living charity to wipe away venial sins and revives love to break disordered attachments, thereby preserving believers from future mortal sins (CCC 1394-1395).

Transubstantiation

The change of the whole substance of bread into the substance of Christ's body and the whole substance of wine into the substance of his blood, leaving no continuing presence of bread and wine (CCC 1376).

Lordship of Christ

The principle that human personal freedom is submitted in an absolute manner only to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ—the key, center, and purpose of all history—rather than to any earthly power (CCC 450).

Son of God by Nature (Homoousios)

The doctrine affirmed at Antioch and Nicaea that the Son of God is begotten, not made, and consubstantial with the Father, condemning Arius's assertion that the Son was created or from another substance (CCC 465).

Mother of God (Theotokos)

The dogma confessed by St. Cyril of Alexandria and the Council of Ephesus that Mary is truly the Mother of God because the Word united to himself according to hypostasis a human body animated by a rational soul (CCC 465-466).

Two Natures of Christ (Council of Chalcedon)

The teaching from AD 451 that Christ is one and the same Son, truly God and truly human, acknowledged in two natures without confusion, change, division, or separation, uniting in one person (prosopon) and one hypostasis.

Two Wills of Christ (Constantinople III)

The dogmatic definition from 681 stating Christ possesses two natural wills and operations (divine and human) that cooperate without opposition, with his human will obeying his divine will (CCC 475).

Sign of Christ's Nativity

The manifestation of God's humility in the manger at Bethlehem, teaching that becoming a child in relation to God and being born from above is the necessary condition for entering the kingdom (CCC 526).

School of the Gospel (Hidden Life at Nazareth)

Jesus' hidden life at Nazareth showing that holiness is rooted in daily family life, providing lessons in silence, a communion of love, and the redeeming law of work (CCC 533).

Baptism of Jesus

Christ's acceptance and inauguration of his mission as the Suffering Servant, consenting to a baptism of death for sins, opening the heavens closed by Adam, and sanctifying the waters for the new creation (CCC 536).

Essence of the First Sin

Man's abuse of freedom through temptation by the devil, letting trust in his Creator die in his heart and disobeying God's command, which characterizes all subsequent sin (CCC 397).

Concupiscence Post-Baptism

The wounded inclination to evil remaining in human nature after Baptism erases original sin, leaving humanity subject to ignorance, suffering, death, and spiritual battle (CCC 405).

Nature of Original Sin

A deprivation of original holiness and justice contracted by Adam's descendants rather than committed as a personal fault, wounding natural powers without totally corrupting human nature (CCC 405).

O Happy Fault (Felix Culpa)

The theological insight that God permits evil to draw forth greater good, allowing Christ's grace to bestow blessings greater than those taken away by original sin (CCC 412).

Mystical Body of Christ

The intimate union between Christ and believers constituted mystically by the Holy Spirit and nourished through the Eucharist, joining those called from every nation (CCC 787-788).

Bride of Christ

The theological title for the Church and each believer betrothed to Christ as Groom, who gave himself up to sanctify her and cares for her as his own body in an everlasting covenant (CCC 796).

Universal Call to God's Family

God's ultimate design, begun with Abraham and Israel, to unite both Jews and Gentiles into one holy people in the Spirit through the New Covenant in Christ's blood (CCC 781).

Unfailing Holiness of the Church

The doctrine that the Church is unfailingly holy because Christ loved her as his Bride, gave himself up to sanctify her, and endowed her with the Holy Spirit, despite the presence of sinners (CCC 823).

Missionary Mandate

The Church's obligation, commanded by Christ, to make disciples of all nations and preach the Gospel to all humanity as the universal sacrament of salvation (CCC 849).

Universal Resurrection of the Dead

The eschatological rising of all the deceased: those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment (CCC 998).

Resurrection of the Flesh

The Christian belief that bodily flesh will be resurrected and redeemed, affirming that 'the flesh is the hinge of salvation' rather than something to be discarded (CCC 1015).

Origin of Bodily Death

A consequence that entered the world on account of human sin, contrary to God's original destiny of immortality from which man would have been immune had he not sinned (CCC 1008).

Purgatory

The post-death purification undergone by those who die in God's grace and friendship but are imperfectly purified, ensuring their eternal salvation and necessary holiness for heaven (CCC 1030).

Hell as Self-Exclusion

The definitive state of self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed, resulting from freely choosing to persist in unrepented mortal sin until death (CCC 1033).

Universal Salvific Will

The doctrine that God desires none to perish but all to come to repentance, predestining no one to hell, which requires willful turning away and persistence in mortal sin (CCC 1037).

Particular Judgment

The individual retribution received in the immortal soul immediately at death, resulting in entrance into heaven directly or through purification, or immediate everlasting damnation (CCC 1022).

Sinners as Authors of Christ's Sufferings

The Church's teaching that sinners are the authors and ministers of Christ's sufferings, especially Christians who relapse into sin while professing to know him (CCC 598).

Suffering Servant

The Old Testament prophetic figure fulfilled by Jesus, who offered his life as a ransom for many to free mankind from the slavery of sin (CCC 601).

Fulfillment of the Law

Christ's perfect obedience, heart transformation, and sacrificial death that revealed the ultimate meaning of the Old Testament Law and redeemed its transgressions without abolishing it (CCC 592).

Death of the Son of God

The mystery that the divine Person of the Word truly died, with his divine person remaining united to his human soul and human body while they were separated in death (CCC 626).

Historicity of the Resurrection

The historical reality of Christ's rising from the dead, attested by demoralized and frightened witnesses who initially doubted rather than being swept by mystical exaltation (CCC 639, 643).

Transcendent Dimension of the Resurrection

The innermost essence of the Resurrection as Christ's passing over to another life, which had no eyewitnesses and surpasses physical senses while confirmed by historical signs (CCC 647).

Descent into Hell (Sheol)

Christ's descent into the realm of the dead to free the righteous souls who were awaiting their Redeemer, without delivering the damned or destroying damnation (CCC 633).

Heavenly Priesthood of Christ

Christ's ongoing intercession at the right hand of the Father, where he permanently exercises his priesthood as the center and principal actor of the liturgy (CCC 662).

Liberation from Sin (Paschal Mystery)

The first aspect of the Paschal mystery wherein Christ's sacrificial death frees humanity from the guilt and dominion of sin (CCC 654).

Filial Adoption (Paschal Mystery)

The second aspect of the Paschal mystery wherein Christ's Resurrection brings justification and filial adoption, making believers brethren of Christ by grace (CCC 654).

Ministry of Reconciliation (Power of the Keys)

The divine authority entrusted by Christ to the Apostles and their successors to forgive sins through Baptism and the sacrament of Penance (CCC 986).

Priestly Authority to Forgive Sins

A power granted by Christ to his priests, exceeding that given to angels, by which God confirms on earth the sacramental absolution of sins (CCC 983).

Universal Scope of Sacramental Forgiveness

The truth that there is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive, provided the sinner's repentance is honest and sincere (CCC 982).

Conferral of Forgiving Power

The moment the risen Christ bestowed the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, conferring his divine power to forgive or retain sins (CCC 976).

Baptism as Chief Sacrament of Forgiveness

The primary sacrament tying forgiveness to faith, uniting the believer with Christ's death and resurrection to walk in newness of life (CCC 977).

Laborious Baptism (Sacrament of Penance)

The title given by the Church Fathers to Penance, designating it as necessary for salvation for those who fall into sin after Baptism (CCC 980).

True Freedom

The power and right to do what is good and just, where doing good enhances freedom, while choosing disobedience is an abuse leading to the slavery of sin (CCC 1733).

Moral Evaluation of Intentions

The moral principle stating that a good intention cannot make intrinsically disordered behavior good (the end does not justify the means), while a bad intention corrupts a good act (CCC 1753).

Morality of the Passions

The principle that human emotions are morally neutral in themselves, becoming morally good or evil only to the extent they are directed by reason and engaged by the will (CCC 1767-1768).

Principle of Double Effect (Tolerated Bad Effect)

The moral rule where an unintended bad consequence (such as death accelerated by pain medicine) is not imputable if it was not willed as an end or means, and could not be avoided (CCC 1737).

Sin as an Offense Against God

An utterance, deed, or desire contrary to eternal law, characterized by disobedience and a revolt against God through the disordered will to become like God (CCC 1849-1850).

Divine Permission of Evil

God's toleration of moral evil out of respect for creaturely freedom, without being its direct or indirect cause, mysteriously deriving good from evil (CCC 311).

Creaturely Cooperation in Providence

God's grant to creatures of existence and the dignity of acting as secondary causes and principles, cooperating in the accomplishment of his sovereign plan (CCC 306).

Triune God

The mystery that God is one but not solitary, consisting of three distinct Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) possessing the one divine nature, distinguished only by relations of origin (CCC 253-254).

Procession of the Holy Spirit

The dogma that the Holy Spirit eternally proceeds from the communion of the Father and the Son as from one principle and through one spiration (breath) (CCC 246).

Trinitarian Economy of Creation

The doctrine that creation is the common external work of the three divine persons, each performing the common operation according to his unique personal property (CCC 258).

Conjugal Consent

The indispensable element that establishes a marriage, consisting of the free and mutual consent by which spouses give themselves to each other (CCC 1626).

Wedding Feast of Cana

Christ's first public sign performed at a wedding, confirming the goodness of marriage and proclaiming it to be an efficacious sign of his presence (CCC 1613).

Tinder for Sin (Fomes Peccati)

The inclination to sin (concupiscence) and temporal consequences that remain in the baptized, which cannot harm those who do not consent and resist by grace (CCC 1264).

Post-Baptismal Growth in Faith

The continuous development required of faith after Baptism, fostered by parents, godparents, and the annual renewal of baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil (CCC 1254-1255).

Dual Symbolism of Baptismal Water

The sacramental sign of water symbolizing both death and purification from sin, as well as regeneration and new birth in the Holy Spirit (CCC 1262).

Baptismal New Creature

The effect of Baptism making the recipient an adopted child of God, a partaker of the divine nature, a member of Christ, a co-heir, and a temple of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1265).

Sanctifying Grace of Justification

The Trinitarian gift infused at Baptism enabling believers to live by theological virtues, act under the Holy Spirit, and grow through moral virtues (CCC 1266).

Indelible Character of Baptism

The unrepeatable spiritual mark sealed upon the soul configuring the person to Christ, which no sin can erase even if sin prevents its fruits from blossoming (CCC 1272).

Effects of Anointing of the Sick

The sacramental graces that unite the sick person to Christ's Passion, give strength and peace, forgive sins, restore health if conducive to salvation, and prepare the soul for eternal life (CCC 1532).

Repeatability of Anointing of the Sick

The rule permitting a Christian to receive the sacrament multiple times whenever falling seriously ill, facing danger of death, or experiencing a worsening illness (CCC 1529).

Proper Recipient of Anointing of the Sick

Any of the baptized faithful who begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, rather than being restricted only to the final moments of life (CCC 1514).

Sacrament of Holy Orders

The sacrament of apostolic ministry through which Christ's mission continues in the Church across three distinct degrees: bishops, priests, and deacons (CCC 1536).

Diaconate Imposition of Hands

The ordination rite where only the bishop lays hands on the candidate, signifying the deacon's special attachment to the bishop in his ministry of service (diakonia) (CCC 1569).

Character of the Diaconate

The indelible spiritual mark stamped by Holy Orders that configures the deacon to Christ, who made himself the servant of all (CCC 1570).

Visible Sign of Holy Orders

The essential sacramental rite consisting of the bishop's laying on of hands accompanied by the solemn consecratory prayer (CCC 1538).

Ecclesial Call to Holy Orders

The principle that ordination is not a personal right; only the Church authority possesses the responsibility and right to call recognized candidates to Holy Orders (CCC 1598).

Funeral Mass and Paschal Reality

The celebration of the Eucharist at a funeral, offering Christ's sacrifice to purify the deceased and expressing the Church's efficacious communion with the departed (CCC 1681, 1689).

Post-Mortem Purification (Funeral Mass)

The theological reality that a funeral Mass does not guarantee immediate entry to heaven, as a departed soul may still need final purgatorial purification (CCC 1682).

Funeral Homily Norms

The liturgical directive requiring the funeral homily to illuminate Christian death in the light of the risen Christ, strictly avoiding the style of a eulogy (CCC 1688).

Efficacious Communion with the Deceased

The aim of the Church's funeral liturgy to express spiritual communion with the deceased, involve the gathered community, and proclaim eternal life (CCC 1684).

Humility as Foundation of Prayer

The disposition of mind and heart recognizing that humans do not know how to pray as they should, which prepares the soul to freely receive the gift of prayer (CCC 2559).

Divine Initiative in Prayer

The truth that God tirelessly calls each person first, making all authentic human prayer fundamentally a response to God's initiative (CCC 2567).

Prayer of Intercession

A form of prayer asking on behalf of another, knowing no boundaries and extending even to one's enemies, accompanied by thanksgiving in all circumstances (CCC 2647-2648).

Old Testament Models of Prayer

The examples of Abraham and Jacob whose prayer is presented as a battle of faith marked by trust in God's fidelity and perseverance (CCC 2592).

The Psalms in Church Prayer

The inspired songs recalling God's past saving acts and anticipating the Messiah, forming a permanent and universal foundation of the Church's prayer (CCC 2586).

Primary Direction of Prayer

The norm that Christian prayer is addressed primarily to the Father, while also directed to Jesus by invoking his holy name (CCC 2680).

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

The daily invocation of the third Person of the Trinity, who draws believers to prayer and divinizes them through Baptism (CCC 2670).

Christian Meditation

A prayerful search of the mind to understand the 'why' and 'how' of Christian life, confronting spiritual reading with personal reality to discern heart movements (CCC 2705-2706).

Prayer United to Jesus

The assurance that prayers united with Jesus are answered through his continuous heavenly intercession, obtaining above all the gift of the Holy Spirit (CCC 2741).

Spirit of Freedom in Prayer

The filial attitude of conforming personal desires to the Holy Spirit, allowing believers to pray in freedom according to the Father's will (CCC 2736).

Human Virtues

Habitual and firm dispositions of intellect and will that govern acts, order passions, and guide conduct according to reason and faith, grouped around the four cardinal virtues.

Cultivation of Moral Virtues

The growth of virtues achieved through deliberate acts, education, perseverance in struggle, and the purifying elevation of divine grace.

Admission of Faults

The necessary prerequisite for receiving divine mercy, grounded in the reality that God who created humans without their help will not save them without their cooperation.

Gospel as Revelation of Mercy

The good news revealed in Jesus Christ, whose name signifies saving his people from sin, and whose Eucharistic blood is poured out for the remission of sins.

Conjugal Covenant

The irrevocable consent by which spouses mutually give and receive one another, establishing an indissoluble bond requiring complete fidelity.

Supreme Gift of Marriage

Children, who represent the ultimate crown and natural fulfillment of conjugal love and the institution of marriage.

Author of Marriage

God the Creator, who established marriage as an intimate community of life and love endowed with its own laws, not dependent on human choice.

Sacramental Dignity of Marriage

Christ's elevation of the indissoluble conjugal bond to a sacrament of the New Law, representing his nuptial covenant with the Church.

Foreshadowing at Cana

Christ's presence and water-into-wine miracle that blessed marital union and foreshadowed the hour of the new and eternal covenant in his Paschal Mystery.

Mutual Sanctification of Spouses

The marital vocation wherein husband and wife help one another attain holiness through daily family life, raising children, and participating in Christ's love.