Religion 9 Catholic Beliefs & Important Historical Events

God the Father

The creator of the universe and human race

God the Son

Jesus Christ, the only son of God who saved humanity from sin

God the Holy Spirit

Together with the Father & Son, provides grace and guidance

Holy Trinity

The mystery of God in three forms; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Covenant

Special relationship with God based on mutual promises with Noah, Abraham, an the Israelites

Sacred Tradition

The fullness of God’s revealed truth, entrusted to the successors of the Apostles.

Sacred Scripture

The Bible consisting of the Old and New Testaments

Apostles

The first disciples of Jesus who preached the good news of salvation.

Early Christianity

Christians were persecuted in Rome until the emperor Constantine converted 300 years after.

Nicene Creed

A creed ratified during the 1st council of Constantinople, affirming that Jesus is truly God in response to a claim that Jesus is more than human but less than God.

The Second Vatican Council

The most recent Ecumenical Council, ensuring that Catholic doctrines were being taught and lived in the most appropriate, modern way.

The Pope

The Bishop of Rome; the head of the Catholic Church based in the Vatican.

Bishops

The teachers of church doctrines who trace their lineage back to the Apostles.

Priests

An ordained minister responsible for administering the Sacraments.

Traditional Deacon

A seminarian studying for priesthood.

Permanent Deacon

Assists a priest by performing sacraments.

Advent

A season of waiting and hope which reenacts the annunciation to Mary that she would be giving birth to Jesus Christ.

Christmas

A two-week celebration of Jesus’ birthday and incarnation into human form.

Lent

A six-week period devoted to fasting and repentance in preparation for Easter.

Paschal Season

A season surrounding Easter marking Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension.

Triduum

The three days of the Liturgical Year that begin with the mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday and end with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

Pentecost

A holy day which recalls the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the Apostles after Jesus’ ascension; end of the Easter season

Introductory Rites

The section of Mass where the priest enters the sanctuary and the opening prayers are spoken.

Liturgy of the Word

The section of Mass composed of Hebrew readings and readings from the New Testament and Nicene Creed.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The section of Mass where the Lord’s prayer is recited and a sign of peace is exchanged between believers often in the form of a handshake.

Concluding Rites

The section of Mass where believers are blessed and sent back to the world renewed by God’s presence in the Mass.

Liturgy

Reflects the importance to Catholics of both the sacred narratives contained in scripture and their physical communion with the Divine.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist; Sacraments that bring the new Christian into the divine life as lived in the Church.

Sacraments