Item
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Description
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A -
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Ablution |
"The
washing of the thumbs and index-fingers of the [priest] at Mass after
[Holy Communion], in order to
remove any particles of the Blessed Sacrament that may be adhering
thereto." (Catholic Dictionary) |
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Abortion |
Refers
to the intentional killing of an unborn child (regardless of its
age) in the womb. It is a grave sin to which the Church has
attached the penalty of automatic excommunication.
"Those
who give drugs causing abortions are murderers themselves, as well
as those who receive the poison which kills the fetus." (St.
Basil the Great, Doctor of the Church, c. 369 A.D.)
"Can.
1398 A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae
sententiae excommunication." (1983 Code of Canon Law)
Click
here for more information on abortion
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Absolution |
"Absolution
is the sentence which the priest pronounces in the name of Jesus
Christ when remitting the penitent's sins." (Catechism of
Pope St. Pius X). Note: For more on this topic, try the Sacraments
Section / Penance (click
here)
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Abstinence |
Refers
to the voluntary giving up of certain items. Note: For more on
fasting / abstinence, click
here. For fasting / abstinence reflections, click
here
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Act
of Contrition |
Prayer
of sorrow for sin. Note: Click
here for 'Sin / Sorrow for Sin / Mercy / Deliverance' prayers
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Act
of Faith |
Prayer
of faith. Note: Click
here for 'Basic Prayers'
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Act
of Hope |
Prayer
of hope. Note: Click
here for 'Basic Prayers'
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Act
of Love |
Prayer
of love. Note: Click
here for 'Basic Prayers'
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Actual
Grace |
"Actual
grace is a supernatural help of God which enlightens our mind and
strengthens our will to do good and to avoid evil." (Catechism
of Pope St. Pius X) Note: For more information on grace, click
here. For 'Grace' Reflections, click
here. |
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Actual
Sin |
"Actual
sin is any willful thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to
the law of God." (Baltimore Catechism) Note: For more
information on 'Sin & Vice' click
here. For Reflections on
topic 'Sin', click
here.
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Adam |
The
first human being created by God. At the prompting of his wife, he
disobeyed God's command. The consequences of this Original Sin
include death, the loss of God's grace, the transmission of the
stain of Original Sin to all human beings, concupiscence, the
closure of the gates of Heaven, etc. Christ - the Son of God -
became Incarnate to redeem the fallen human race as a direct
result of Original Sin. Note: Click
here for 'Original Sin' Reflections
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Advent |
"The
name Advent [from the Latin word 'Adventus', a coming] is applied,
in the Latin Church, to that period of the year, during which the
Church requires the faithful to prepare for the celebration of the
feast of Christmas, the anniversary of the birth of Jesus
Christ." (Dom Gueranger) Advent begins about four weeks
before Christmas and marks the beginning of a new Church year. Note: For 'Traditional Prayers and Practices
/ Advent', click
here. For 'Incarnation & Nativity of Christ /
Christmas' Reflections, click
here |
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All
Saints Day |
"The
feast (Nov. 1 in the Western church) on which are commemorated all
the saints of God, canonized and uncanonized, known and
unknown." (Catholic Dictionary) Note: For liturgical
feasts, click here
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All
Souls Day |
November
2*, All Souls' Day, is "[the solemn] commemoration of all the Faithful
departed in which the Church, their common Mother, after being
careful to celebrate with due praise her children, already
rejoicing in Heaven on All Saints' Day, strives to help all those
who still long in Purgatory by supplication to Christ, her Lord
and Bridegroom, that they may quickly attain to the fellowship of the
heavenly citizens" (Roman Martyrology) [*
unless transferred, e.g. to Nov. 3]
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Alleluia |
"(Heb.,
'Glory to Him who Is'). An expression of joy and praise found in
the Psalms, heard in Heaven (Apoc. xix, 1) and introduced into
every liturgical use of the Catholic Church: it is of frequent occurrence
throughout the Latin liturgies." (Catholic Dictionary) |
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Almsgiving |
"By
almsgiving is meant every spiritual or corporal work of
mercy." (Catechism of Pope St. Pius X) Note: For works of
mercy, click
here. For 'Almsgiving' Reflections, click
here. For 'Good Works' Reflections, click
here. |
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Altar |
"An
altar is that upon which sacrifice is offered." (Catholic
Dictionary) Note: For information regarding the Holy Sacrifice
of the Mass / The Holy Eucharist, click
here. For 'Altars' Reflections, click
here. |
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Altar
Rail |
Traditionally,
an altar rail separates the sanctuary from the nave and is used by
(kneeling) communicants to receive
Holy Communion |
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'Alter
Christus' |
A
Priest acts as an 'Alter Christus' (Latin for 'Another Christ')
when performing his priestly ministry. Note: For more
information, see the 'Priests
& Vocations' Section |
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Amen |
An
expression
of assent. May mean "so be it", "verily",
"truly", etc. This term was used often by Jesus. Note:
Click
here for "Jesus' Emphasized Statements"
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Anathema |
May
mean a curse or excommunication. |
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Angel |
"Angels
are bodiless spirits created to adore and enjoy God in
heaven." (Baltimore Catechism) They may be ranked as follows:
1. Seraphim, 2. Cherubim, 3. Thrones, 4. Dominations (Dominions), 5. Virtues, 6. Powers, 7. Principalities, 8.
Archangels (there are seven, including: Michael, Gabriel & Raphael), 9.
Angels. Note: For 'Angels' Reflections, click
here |
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Angelical
Salutation |
Refers
to the Hail
Mary prayer, the first part of which originated with the
Angel's greeting to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lk. 1:28:
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
among women." |
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Angelus |
Daily
prayer traditionally recited at 6:00 a.m., Noon, and 6:00 p.m.
(except during Paschaltime when the Regina Caeli is said instead). Click
here for text of this prayer.
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Annulment |
The
declaration that a union of two persons was never a marriage. The
determination of whether a union is a true marriage depends upon
the union's beginning, without regard to the number of years which
followed, the number of children born, the treatment of a person
by the other person (or even abandonment by one of the persons). A
true, valid & consummated marriage may never be dissolved
- for any reason whatsoever - by any power on earth. An annulment
is not a divorce, but a determination that a true marriage
never existed in the first place. Note: For more on the indissolubility of
marriage, try
here (Catholic Life / Marriage Reflections). For 'Against
Divorce & Remarriage' Reflections, click
here. For more information on Marriage, click here
(Sacraments Section / Matrimony)
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Annunciation |
"The
Son of God was conceived and made man on Annunciation day - the
day on which the angel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin
Mary that she was to be the Mother of God." (Baltimore
Catechism) The Annunciation is celebrated on March 25 (although it
may be transferred if it falls on certain days). It is also the
first joyful mystery of the Holy Rosary. Note: For 'Annunciation
/ Incarnation' Reflections, click
here. For 'Incarnation / Nativity' Reflections, click
here. For more information on the Blessed Virgin Mary, click
here. Note: For more information on the Holy Rosary, click
here
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Anointing
of the Sick |
Also
called "Extreme Unction". Note: Click
here for more information on the Sacrament of Extreme Unction
/ Anointing of the Sick |
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Antichrist |
"A
designation of Christ's chief antagonist, who will precede
[Christ's] second coming and the end of the world, and whose
activity will be directly connected with a widespread apostasy
from the Christian [that is, Catholic] faith. He will be an
individual human personality, marked by utter lawlessness,
self-deification, hatred of Christian truth, and rivalry with
Christ through mock-miracles. He will cause the fall of many, but
be destroyed by Christ." (Catholic Dictionary) Note: For
'Second Coming' Reflections, click
here
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Anti-pope |
"One
claiming to be pope in opposition to a true pope canonically
elected." (Catholic Dictionary) Note: Click
here for a list of anti-popes
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Apologetics |
Refers
to a defense and explanation of the faith (not to
apologies). Note: For apologetics, see the 'Non-Catholics'
Section (click
here) |
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Apostasy |
May
refer to a Christian voluntarily giving up the faith. Has also
been used to refer to the desertion of one's state in life (e.g.
when a cleric abandons the ecclesiastical state). |
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Apostate |
One
who is guilty of apostasy.
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Apostles |
Meaning
"one who is sent forth", the term 'Apostles' primarily
refers to the twelve disciples chosen by Christ as indicated in
the Gospels, and also to St. Paul. These men were the first bishops
of the Church. There is a direct line of succession between the
original Apostles and today's Catholic bishops.
The
term "apostle" may also refer to the first
"successful Christian [Catholic] missionary to a
country" (Catholic Dictionary). For example, St. Patrick is
called the 'Apostle of Ireland'. Click
here for more information on the Twelve Apostles |
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Apostolic
See |
"The
episcopal see of Rome, founded by the Prince of the Apostles, Peter,
and in virtue of his primacy the ultimate seat of authority for
the whole Church of Christ." (Catholic Dictionary) Note:
For more information, try the 'Vatican View' Section (click
here) |
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Apostolical
Succession |
"The
authoritative and unbroken transmission of the mission and powers
conferred by Jesus Christ on St. Peter and the Apostles [and] from them
to the present pope and bishops." (Catholic Dictionary) Note: For more information, try the Vatican View Section (click
here) and the Priests & Vocations Section (click
here)
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Apparitions |
Refers
to supernatural appearances of heavenly persons (e.g. Jesus
Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, the Saints) Note: Click
here for more information on apparitions (Mary, Our Mother
Section)
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Archangels |
"A
spirit in the eighth rank of the nine orders of the celestial hierarchy.
The Church honors three archangels by name: Michael, the captain of
the heavenly host; Gabriel, the angel of the Annunciation; and
Raphael... According to Tobias xii, 15, there are four more"
(Catholic Dictionary) Note: For 'Angels' Reflections, click
here |
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Ark
of the Covenant |
"The
Ark of the Covenant, carried by the people of Israel in their
wanderings and then deposited in the Temple at Jerusalem, was a
chest containing principally the Tables of the Law. From over the
ark God communicated his will to Moses, and it came to be regarded
as the guarantee of his abiding help." (Catholic Dictionary) The
Blessed Virgin Mary is often referred to as the new "Ark of
the Covenant" due to the significant parallels between the
Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament and Mary in the New
Testament. Note: For more information on this topic, click
here. For 'Mary / Ark of the Covenant' Reflections, click
here
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Article
of Faith |
A
truth
that must be believed by all the faithful. |
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Ascension |
"The
departure of Jesus Christ in his glorified body from this world to
the right hand of God the Father in Heaven, which took place in
the presence of the Apostles forty days after his resurrection,
traditionally on the Mount of Olives." (Catholic Dictionary).
The feast of the Ascension occurs 40 days after Easter, on
Ascension Thursday. Note: For liturgical
feasts, click here |
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Asceticism |
Click
here for definition of 'Asceticism' (Priests & Vocations
Section / Facts) |
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Ash
Wednesday |
The
Wednesday which begins the penitential season of Lent. Ashes are
applied to the faithful to symbolize our future return to the dust.
Note: For Lent Reflections, click
here. For 'Traditional Prayers and Practices
/ Lent', click
here. |
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Aspirations |
Very
short prayers (e.g. prayers said in one breath). Note: Click
here for 'Aspirations / Short Prayers'
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Assumption |
"The
taking into Heaven of the soul and body of the Blessed Virgin Mary
on the completion of her earthly life" (Catholic Dictionary)
The feast of the Assumption occurs on August 15. The Assumption is
the fourth glorious mystery of the Holy Rosary. Note: For 'Assumption'
Reflections, click
here. For liturgical
feasts, click here. For more
information on the Blessed Virgin Mary, click
here. For more information on the Holy Rosary, click
here |
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Avarice |
"Avarice
is an inordinate love of the goods of this world." (Catechism
of the Cure de Ars)
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Ave
Maria |
Latin
for "Hail Mary". Refers to the Hail
Mary prayer, the first part of which originated with the
Angel's greeting to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lk. 1:28:
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou
among women." |
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Backbiting |
"Backbiting
is saying evil things of another in his absence." (Baltimore
Catechism) |
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Baptism |
The
Sacrament of Baptism cleanses us from original sin and makes us
members of the Church. Note: Click
here for more information on Baptism |
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Basilica |
The
term 'basilica' is used to refer to certain churches (especially
in Rome). It is an honorary designation given to churches
with a certain significance (e.g. special historical
significance). They are divided into two classes (major & minor
basilicas). The majority of basilicas are classified as 'minor
basilicas'. |
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The
Beatific
Vision |
The
immediate knowledge of God and ability to see God "face to
face" enjoyed by those in Heaven. (Ref. Catholic Dictionary) |
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Beatification |
Click
here for information on 'Beatification' (Saints Section / Facts) |
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Beatitudes |
Refers
to certain blessings indicated by our Lord (from Jesus' Sermon on the
Mount). Note: Click here
for 'The Beatitudes' |
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Benediction |
"One
of the most generally popular of Catholic services is Benediction of
the Blessed Sacrament... [It] consists in the singing of certain hymns,
or litanies, or canticles, before the Blessed Sacrament, which is
exposed upon the altar in a monstrance and is surrounded with
lights." (Catholic Encyclopedia) It is concluded with the priest's
making the Sign of the Cross over the congregation with the
Monstrance. Benediction often occurs after Mass or other services
(e.g. Vespers, Stations of the Cross).
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The
Benedictus |
Refers
to the Canticle of Zachary. Note: Click
here for the 'Benedictus' |
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Bible |
The
word of God. Also called "Sacred Scripture". Note:
For more information, see the Scripture / Parables Section (click
here) |
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Birth
Control |
The
intentional prevention of conception which the Church has
condemned as gravely contrary to the natural law. Sinful in and of
itself, it is made even more so by the abortifacient properties of
artificial methods of birth control (which may take
the life of an unborn child without the mother's knowledge that
she had ever conceived). Note: For more information, click
here |
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Bishop |
Click
here for information on topic 'Bishop' (Priests &
Vocations Section / Facts)
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Bishop
of Rome |
The
Pope is the Bishop of Rome. Note: For more information on the
Pope / Papacy, click
here (Vatican View Section)
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Black
Fast |
A
very strict fast (e.g. limited to one evening meal, limited to
bread, vegetables, salt, and water). Note: For
medical information, contact a good doctor. |
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Blasphemy |
"Blasphemy
is any word or action intended as an insult to God. To say He is
cruel or find fault with His works is blasphemy. It is a much
greater sin than cursing or taking God's name in vain." (Baltimore Catechism)
"Blasphemy
is a horrible sin which consists in words or acts of contempt or
malediction against God, the Blessed Virgin, the Saints, or sacred
things." (Catechism of Pope St. Pius X) |
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Blessed |
Refers
to those who have been beatified. Note: For more information,
see the Saints Section (click
here) |
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The
Blessed
Virgin Mary |
The
Mother of God (Jesus Christ). Note: Click
here for more information. Also see 'Mary, Our Mother' Section
(click here)
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Blessing |
"A
rite by which the Church dedicates persons, places or things to a
sacred purpose, or attaches to them a spiritual value, without
consecration." (Catholic Dictionary) Blessings may be given
by the pope, bishops, or priests. |
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Breviary |
"The
word breviary (Lat. Breviarium), signifies in its primary acceptation
an abridgment, or a compendium... In liturgical language Breviary
has a special meaning, indicating a book furnishing the
regulations for the celebration of Mass or the canonical
Office..." (Catholic Encyclopedia) The term 'Breviary' may
also be used as a synonym for the Divine Office.
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Bull
(Papal) |
A
solemn papal letter, traditionally associated with a lead seal
("bulla"). Note: Click
here for more information on Papal writings. For actual papal
writings ('Classic Encyclicals'), click
here. |
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