FIA II FLASHCARDS

Faith in Action Final Exam Study Guide

Sacraments

What is a sacrament?

A sacrament is:

“An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.”

Sacraments are visible signs through which God gives invisible grace.

Matter — define

The matter is the physical/sign element used in a sacrament.

Examples:

  • Water in Baptism

  • Bread and wine in Eucharist

  • Oil in Anointing of the Sick

Form — define

The form is the spoken words/prayer used during the sacrament.

Example:

“I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”



Vocation

Define vocation

A vocation is a call from God to live a certain way of life that leads a person to holiness and service.

What does Lumen Gentium say about becoming a saint?

Lumen Gentium teaches the universal call to holiness:

Every person is called to become a saint, no matter their state in life.

What are the 3 traditional vocations?

  1. Marriage

  2. Holy Orders

  3. Consecrated/Religious Life

What do all vocations have in common?

All vocations are meant to:

  • Lead people to holiness

  • Serve God and others

  • Build up the Church



Consecrated Life

Define consecrated life

Consecrated life is a life specially dedicated to God through vows and service to the Church.

Examples:

  • Priests in religious orders

  • Monks

  • Nuns

  • Sisters

  • Brothers

What are the 3 evangelical counsels?

  1. Poverty

  2. Chastity

  3. Obedience

Describe the role of consecrated life within the Church

Consecrated people:

  • Serve the Church through prayer and ministry

  • Witness total devotion to God

  • Help the poor, sick, and needy

  • Remind the world of Heaven and eternal life



Marriage and Sexuality

The Human Marital Act

What is it?

The marital act is the physical expression of love between husband and wife through sexual union.

What are the two natural ends (purposes) of the marital act?

  1. Unity of the spouses

  2. Procreation (openness to children)

Why should the marital act only be given and received within marriage?

Because marriage provides:

  • Total lifelong commitment

  • Faithfulness

  • Stability for children

  • Proper context for self-giving love

What is the natural order of things regarding sexuality?

The Church teaches:

  • Sex belongs within marriage

  • Marriage comes before sexual relations

  • Sexuality should remain open to life and faithful love



What is the name of the 1968 Papal Encyclical by Pope Paul VI?

Humanae Vitae

It addressed and prohibited:

  • Contraception

  • Abortion

  • Artificial interference with procreation



Contraception

What is contraception?

Contraception is any action or device meant to prevent pregnancy during sexual intercourse.

Why is contraception sinful according to Church teaching?

Because it intentionally blocks the procreative purpose of the marital act and separates sex from openness to life.



IVF

What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

IVF is a process where eggs are fertilized outside the body in a laboratory and later implanted.

Why does the Church teach IVF is sinful?

Because:

  • It separates procreation from the marital act

  • Human embryos may be discarded or frozen

  • It treats human life like a product or procedure

Alternatives accepted by the Church

  • NaProTechnology

  • Fertility treatments that assist natural conception

  • Adoption



Chastity

What is chastity?

Chastity is the virtue of using sexuality properly according to one’s state in life.

Examples:

  • Abstinence before marriage

  • Faithfulness within marriage

Why is it sinful for two people to live together before marriage?

Because it places the couple in a near occasion of sexual sin and imitates married life without the sacramental commitment of marriage.



Matter and Form of Marriage

Matter

The mutual consent of the man and woman.

Form

The exchange of vows:

“I take you to be my husband/wife…”



The 3 goods of marriage

  1. Unity/Fidelity

  2. Openness to children

  3. Permanence



Once engaged, what should a couple first do?

Meet with a priest/deacon and begin marriage preparation.



Holy Orders

What are the 3 sacraments that confer participation in Christ’s priesthood?

  1. Baptism

  2. Confirmation

  3. Holy Orders



Matter and Form of Holy Orders

Matter

The laying on of hands by the bishop.

Form

The prayer of consecration.



Celibacy

What is celibacy?

Choosing not to marry and remaining unmarried for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

Why do priests promise celibacy? (2 reasons)

  1. To dedicate themselves fully to God and the Church

  2. To imitate Christ, who was celibate



Grades of Holy Orders (highest → lowest)

  1. Bishop

  2. Priest

  3. Deacon



Anointing of the Sick

The 3 Holy Oils

  1. Oil of Catechumens

  2. Sacred Chrism

  3. Oil of the Sick



Matter and Form of Anointing of the Sick

Matter

Oil of the Sick and anointing of the forehead/hands.

Form

The prayer said by the priest during the anointing.



Who can receive Anointing of the Sick?

A baptized person who is:

  • Seriously ill

  • Elderly

  • Preparing for major surgery

  • Near death



Who can administer it?

Only a priest or bishop.



The 3 effects of Anointing of the Sick

  1. Spiritual strength and peace

  2. Forgiveness of sins (if unable to confess)

  3. Possible physical healing according to God’s will



What is Viaticum?

The Eucharist received near death.
 “Viaticum” means:

“Food for the journey.”



What are the Last Rites?

The Continuous Rite of:

  1. Penance (Confession)

  2. Anointing of the Sick

  3. Viaticum (Eucharist)



Human Dignity

In what is natural human dignity rooted?

Being created in the image and likeness of God.



How can someone receive supernatural dignity?

Through sanctifying grace received especially in Baptism.



Just War

The 5 criteria for a Just War

  1. Just cause

  2. Legitimate authority

  3. Right intention

  4. Last resort

  5. Probability of success/proportionality



Abortion

Define abortion

The intentional ending of an unborn human life.

How does abortion violate human dignity?

It destroys innocent human life made in God’s image.

How does the Church protect unborn life?

  • Opposes abortion

  • Supports mothers and families

  • Promotes adoption and pregnancy support

Why does the Church teach life begins at conception?

Because a unique human life with its own DNA begins at fertilization.



Euthanasia & Assisted Suicide

Define euthanasia

The intentional ending of a sick or suffering person’s life to eliminate suffering.

How does euthanasia violate human dignity?

It intentionally destroys innocent human life rather than respecting its value.



Define assisted suicide

Helping another person end their own life.



Migration

Define migration

The movement of people from one place or country to another.



3 Catholic Social Teaching principles on migration

  1. People have the right to migrate to support themselves/families

  2. Nations have the right to regulate borders

  3. Refugees and migrants must be treated with dignity



Ordinary/Obligatory Medical Care

Care that provides reasonable hope of benefit without excessive burden and must normally be given.

Examples:

  • Food

  • Water

  • Basic medicine



Culture of Death

Two philosophical causes

  1. Relativism (“truth depends on opinion”)

  2. Materialism/utilitarianism (“people are valued by usefulness”)



Results of the culture of death

  • Abortion

  • Euthanasia

  • Assisted suicide

  • Disrespect for human life and dignity



Funerals

Why should Catholics have funerals?

To:

  • Pray for the dead

  • Honor the body

  • Comfort the living

  • Proclaim hope in the Resurrection



Why do we respect the deceased body?

Because the body:

  • Was a temple of the Holy Spirit

  • Will rise again at the Resurrection

Acceptable forms of burial

  • Burial in the ground

  • Entombment

  • Cremation (if done respectfully)



What are Catholics not allowed to do with ashes/body and why?

Ashes should NOT be:

  • Scattered

  • Kept casually at home

  • Turned into jewelry or objects

Why?
 Because the body deserves sacred respect and should rest in a sacred place.