Catholic Theology Vocabulary

Sacrament

An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church by which divine life is dispensed to us

Grace

Is a free and undeserved gift of God’s divine life given to us

Form

The words said, or formula, which communicates what God is doing in the celebration of the Sacrament

Matter

The material sign in the celebration of the Sacrament used by Christ to reveal His presence and show His work

Liturgy

The public work or worship of the Church. It is the participation of the People of God in the “work of God”

Minister

The person with the authority to use the matter and speak the form to administer the Sacrament

Ex Opere Operato

literally means “the work worked” or by the very fact of the actions being performed which refers to how the grace we receive in the Sacraments comes from God

Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

The law of prayer is the law of belief or the way we pray forms the way we believe

Original Sin

The state of human nature deprived of the original holiness and Justice

Justification

The process by which the Holy Spirit redeems a person from Original Sin

Faith

The theological virtues that is a gift from God and a human act by which a person comes to know God and conforms their hearts, minds and wills to Him

Confirmand

The person who is to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation

Catechumen

One who is preparing for Christian initiation

Chrism

Fragrant blessed oil used to anoint the recipients of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders and used to consecrate bishops, priests and altars in Churches

Grace

The free and undeserved gift of God’s divine love

Neophyte

One who is newly initiated into the Sacred Mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection; a beginner at something

Chrismation

The name for Confirmation in the Eastern Rite of the Catholic church

Wisdom

The gift of the Holy Sprint that helps us to see all things with God’s perspective

Penitent

A person who admits his or her sins, is truly sorry for having sinned, and wishes to be restored to relationship with God and the Church

Absolution

The statement by which a priest, speaking as the official minister of Christ’s Church, declares forgiveness for sins to a repentant sinner in the Sacrament of Penance.

Contrition

Heartfelt sorrow for sins committed, along with the intention of sinning no more. This most important act by a penitent is necessary for receiving absolution in the sacrament of Penance.

Venial Sin

A sin that weakens and wounds our relationship with God but does not cause the loss of grace in our soul

Sacramental Seal

The secrecy priests are bound to keep regarding any sins confessed to them

Act of Contrition

A prayer that expresses sorrow for sins and the intention to amend one's ways

Purgatory

The final purification of all who die in God’s grace and friendship but remain imperfectly purified, is the final cleansing away of all sin and of all punishments of sin

Presbyter

A term to refer to priests to distinguish them from bishops, are coworkers with the bishop, especially in celebrating the Eucharist

Viaticum

The Eucharist received by a dying person, this is a Latin term that means “food for the journey”