Finals: Sacraments- Terms + Definitions

Sacraments- 2nd Semester Vocab Term List

Chapter Three- Sacraments and the Divine Life (p. 37-63)
Agape: (p. 41)
 The Greek Word for Love that is used in the New Testament. Sometimes called self-giving love
or unconditional love; an action word that can also be translated as caring or care
Disciple: (p. 43)
 Someone who is willing to learn from a specific teacher; more generally, a follower. Derived
from a Latin word that refers to a student. For Christians, a disciple is one who accepts Jesus’
message, follows him, and lives according to his teachings.
Initiation: (p. 43)
 The process of becoming a member of a group. The process by which an unbaptized person
prepares for entrance into the Christian community and membership in the Church
Scrutinies: (p. 45)
 Rites of repentance celebrated with the elect during Lent
The Twelve: (p. 51)
 The disciples closest to Jesus, also called the apostles in the Gospel according to Luke

Chapter Four- Baptism: Immersion in God’s Life (p. 65-87)
Baptism: (p. 43, 66)
 From the Greek word for immersion. The name of the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation.
Preformed by full or partial immersion in water, or by pouring water over the head of the
candidate, while the presider proclaims, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.”
Paschal Mystery: (p. 68)
 Christ’s work of salvation accomplished through his passion and death lading to his resurrection
and ascension. The mysterious way that goodness comes out self-sacrifice or dying to self
Grace: (p. 55, 68)
 From the Greek word for gift. Used in Christian theology to mean any gift from God; including
the spiritual gifts symbolized and received through the sacraments. The free underserved gift of
spiritual power that enables us to live the Life of God and be God’s daughters and sons; the gift
that helps enable us to respond to God’s call to be his children and to act by his love
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): (p. 45,71)
 The process of gradual initiation into the Christian community and the rites that celebrate the
various stages of that process, culminating in the Sacraments of Initiation
Catechumenate: (p. 45, 71)
 The period of time when people are preparing for Baptism through a process of learning and
faith sharing, and solemnized in the rituals of the RCIA. The first formal stage of formation and
education in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Sacraments of Initiation: (p. 71)
 The three liturgical rites through which a person is received into full membership in the Catholic
Church: Baptism, Conformation, and Eucharist.
Original Sin: (p. 72)
 The sin of the first man and woman and the fallen state of human nature into which every
person is born, with the exception of Mary and Jesus
Godparent: (p. 76)

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 Baptism sponsor who takes on the responsibility to help the newly baptized person to live a
Christian life
Sponsor: (p. 76)
 An active Catholic who accompanies a catechumen during his or her journey toward Baptism,
offering spiritual support and participating in the RCIA
Rite for Baptism for Children: (p.76)
 The ritual of Baptism specifically for infants and children; Christian formation follows Baptism as
the children grow
Satan: (p.76)
 The devil; A biblical figure, originally an argumentative member of God’s heavenly court (Job
1:6-12). Later identified with the snake or serpent in the story of the Fall (Genesis 3:1-15).
Eventually believed to be the head of all evil spirits in the world. Satan therefore symbolically
stands for any and all forms of immorality
Baptismal Vows (p. 76)
 Promises made at Baptism by the person baptized, or by the parents, godparents, and assembly,
to reject sin and confess the Christian Faith
Chrism (p. 77,114)
 Blessed oil used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders

Chapter 5- Confirmation: Affirmation of God’s Life (p. 89-119)
Spirit: (p. 90)
 An ancient word with many meanings, including breath, life vitality, inner qualities, personality,
invisible reality
Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Holy Ghost: (p. 92)
 Different ways that scripture ad Christian tradition name the invisible spiritual reality that is
God; the third Person of the Holy Trinity; the personal love of the father and the son for each
other.
Spirit of Jesus, spirit of Christ, spirit of the Lord, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost: (p. 94)
 Different ways that scripture and Christian tradition name the invisible reality that motivated
and empowered Jesus that motivates and empowers those who commit themselves to following
him.
Empowered: (p. 95)
 Strengthened, energized, given the ability to do something.
Confirmation: (p. 100)
 From the Latin word meaning to confirm, affirm or strengthen, the name of the third Sacrament
of Initiation; performed ordinarily by a bishop who anoints the forehead of the candidate while
saying, “be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”
Gifts of the Spirit: (p. 102)
 Capabilities or dispositions (sometimes called strengths or virtues) that help us follow the
promptings of the Holy Spirit and grow in our relationship with God and others.
Theological Virtues (p. 103)
 Faith, hope and love; spiritual gifts that enable us to act as children of God and followers of
Jesus.
Charism: (p. 106)
 a spiritual gift; today the term usually refers to special abilities in ministry
Laying on of Hands, Imposition of Hands: (p. 113)

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 An ancient ritual gesture of approval, blessing, and acceptance, in which one or both hands are
placed on the head of the one receiving the gesture.
Anoint: (p.114)
 from the Latin word for oil or salve, originally a pouring of perfumed oil o the head or smearing
of scented salve over the upper body
Chrism: (p. 77,114)
 The aromatic oil used in Confirmation, from the Greek word related to ointment and anointing.
The Seal of Confirmation:
 The seal of confirmation marks a person for life as a disciple of the Lord.

Chapter 6- Eucharist: Celebration of God’s Life: (p.121- 145)
Consecration: (p. 122)
 Jesus’ words of instruction of the Eucharist at the Last Supper recited by the priest at Mass,
changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Communion: (p. 122)
 The consecrated Bread and Wine, perceived in faith to be the Body and Blood Christ; also, the
act of receiving the consecrated Bread or Wine
Blessed Sacrament: (p. 122)
 The consecrated Bread or Wine, especially the consecrated hosts or wafers considered apart
from the Eucharistic liturgy, reserved in the tabernacle for special worship services (such as
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament) and for distribution to those who are sick.
Eucharist: (p. 41, 123)
 From the Greek meaning an act of thanksgiving, an ancient name for the Christian celebration of
the Paschal mystery that includes remembrance of the Last Supper and distribution of
Communion.
 The sacraments of thanksgiving that celebrates the Paschal Mystery—Jesus’ suffering death, and
resurrection. The name given to the consecrated Bread, Wine, and the Body and Blood of Christ

Mass: (p. 123)
 From the Latin word for dismissed or sent, in this case, sent on the mission of proclaiming the
good news of salvation and the kingdom of God’ since the Middle Ages a common Catholic
name for the Eucharist Liturgy.
Liturgy: (p. 123)
 From the Greek meaning a public work or service done in the name of or on behalf of the
people; in general, any formal Christian worship, especially one that follows a prescribed
pattern such as a sacramental rite; sometimes used exclusively to refer to the Eucharistic
liturgy.
Liturgy of the Word: (p. 123)
 the first major part of the Mass that includes the readings, homily, profession of faith, and
general intercessions.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: (p. 123)
 The second major part of the Mass that includes presentation and the preparation of the gifts,
the Eucharistic prayer, and the Communion rite.
Sacrifice: (p.139)
 A ritual offering made to God by a priest on behalf of the people, as a sign of adoration,
thanksgiving, entreaty, and communion; originally, an act of offering, or the fit that is offered,
very often accompanied by a ritual meal for the purpose of the communication with the divine.
Lord’s Supper: (p. 141)

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 A name for the Eucharistic worship that is found in the New Testament, the name often given by
Protestant Churches to their communion service.
Real Presence: (p. 141)
 The name of the Christ’s presence in the Eucharistic Liturgy and especially in the Blessed
Sacrament, which is believed in faith but can also be experienced by those who are open to it.

Chapter 7- Reconciliation: Reawakening God’s Life (p. 147-169)
Prodigal: (p. 149)
 wasteful, spendthrift
reconciliation: (p. 149)
 Overcoming emotional separation, usually through some process in which one party admits
wrongdoing and another party grants forgiveness; can be between two people, between a
person and God, or between a person and a community.
Reconciliation: (p. 149, 47)
 The name for the Sacrament of Healing in which we seek assurance of God’s love and receive
forgiveness for our sins through the ministry of a priest and special words of absolution; the
repentant person confesses serious sins and makes reparation.
 The sacrament of penance in which, through the words and actions of a priest, God forgives the
sins of a repentant person who confesses and resolves not to sin again.
Confession: (p. 149)
 The act of telling one’s sins to another—God, another person or in the sacrament, to a priest.
Penance: (p. 150)
 One of the official names for the sacrament of healing that is also known as the sacrament of
reconciliation; the sacrament of repentance or conversion.
penance: (p. 150)
 Originally another word for repentance or conversion; later, acts of prayer and other good
works.
Conversion: (p. 150)
 Also called repentance; changing one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior; turing one’s life
around, at least with regard to some parts of it that are either bad or not as good as they could
be.
Reconversion: (p.150)
 Converting again, if it needs to be done, as is often the case when one is trying to change one’s
life for the better.
Spiritual Direction: (p. 156)
 Also called pastoral counseling; the practice of seeking receiving spiritual and moral guidance
Sin: (p. 159)
 Originally as falling short or missing the mark; can be understood legalistically as breaking a law
or commandment; can be understood relationally as weakening (venial) or breaking (mortal) a
relationship.
Beatitudes: (p. 159)
 What Jesus taught his followers about what to do in order to be really happy and fulfilled.
Conscience: (p. 162)
 The human ability to judge what is right and wrong, sometimes thought as the voice of reason
or the voice of God.
Repentance: (p. 162)

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 Also called conversion or internal penance; changing one’s thoughts feelings, ad behavior away
from sin; turning one’s life around, at least with regard to the parts of it that are sinful.
Ethical, moral: (p. 163)
 Pertaining to the goodness or badness of human acts.

Chapter 8- Anointing of the Sick: Healing by God’s Life (p. 171- 191)

Natural Sacrament: (p. 173)
 A natural sign of God, such as human caring being a sign of the way God cares for us.
Salvation: (p. 174)
 Being saved from evil, whether physical or spiritual; in Christian terms, being saved from sin and
evil through the power of the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus
Miracle: (p. 174)
 An event, such as unexpected cure or rapid healing, that is attributed to God’s power and that
arouses admiration and wonder.
Anointing of the Sick: (p.48, 179)
 The sacrament of healing for those who are seriously ill or in danger of death due to sickness or
old age, consisting of anointing with oil, imposition of hands, and payers for physical, and
spiritual healings and the forgiveness of sins.
 The sacrament of healing for those who are in danger of death due to illness or old age,
consisting of anointing with oil, imposition of hands, and prayers for physical and spiritual
healing and the forgiveness of sins.
Last Rites: (p. 180)
 The Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist (viaticum), and the anointing of the Sick, when
administered to someone who is dying.
Viaticum: (p. 180)
 A traditional name for communion that is given to a dying person, in the sense of “food for the
journey” from this life to the next.

Holy oils: (p. 181)
 Oils used in the sacraments; chrism; the oil of the catechumens, and the oil of the sick.
Grieving Process: (p. 186)
 The normal process of psychologically adjusting to personal loss, involving denial, anger
bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
Vigil: (p. 186)
 A gathering of people prior to an important event, such as the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday or
the vigil for the deceased prior to the funeral.
Wake: (p. 186)
 The practice of “staying awake with the body” between the time of death and the time of the
burial.
Eulogy: (p. 186)
 From the Greek, meaning “good word,” hence, words of remembrance and praise for someone
who has recently died.
Cremation: (p. 188)
 The complete incineration of a body, turning into ashes.
Atheist: (p. 188)

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 Someone who denies the existence of God.

Chapter Nine- Marriage: Union in God’s Life: (p. 193-217)
Spouse: (p. 197)
 Generic term for male or female marriage partner; half of a married couple.
Monogamy: (p. 198)
 Having one spouse at a time.
Polygamy: (p. 198)
 Having more than one spouse at a time.
Indissoluble: (p. 198)
 Not able to be dissolved or broken apart.
Nuptial: (p. 199)
 From the Latin word meaning related to or pertaining to marriage.
Matrimony: (p. 199, 49)
 The sacrament of marriage, a covenant relationship between a man and a woman that is
oriented toward their loving unity and the procreation, raising, and education of children.
 The sacrament of marriage, a covenant relationship between a man and a woman expressed in
faithful love for each other and the care of children
Covenant: (p.202)
 A solemn agreement between humans or between God and humans involving mutual
commitments or guarantees.
Vocation: (p. 203)
 From the Latin word for a call or invitation, a state of life or work to which one feels called, in
contrast to work that would be considered simply a job.
Fidelity: (p. 208)
 Faithfulness; in the context of marriage, not having a sexual relationship with anyone but one’s
spouse; in addition, commitment to growing in love for one another.
Natural Family Planning: (p. 210)
 A method of planning the conception of children that is based on natural signs of fertility and
infertility in a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Divorce: (p. 213)
 Declaration by a civil court that a legal marriage has ended and that the parties are free to
remarry.
Declaration of nullity: (p. 213)
 Declaration by a church court that a failed marriage was never really a sacramental marriage,
even though the people may have thought it was; commonly referred to as an annulment.
Tribunals: (p. 213)
 A church court that examines and decides cases with regard to church laws, especially marriage
cases.

Chapter 10- Holy Orders: Ministering to God’s Life (p. 219-239)
Ministry: (p. 220)
 Service to others, derived from the Latin word for waiting at tables; generally designates service
with a religious motivation.
Ordination: (p. 220)

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 The act by which the bishop as a representative of the Church confers an order on a candidate,
giving the candidate the power to perform the duties of that order.
Parish: (p. 221)
 A local catholic faith community, with a priest pastor or pastoral administrator appointed by a
bishop.
Diocese: (p. 221)
 A collection of parishes in a certain geographical area, headed by a bishop.
Archdiocese: (p. 221)
 The principal diocese in a given region, headed by an archbishop.
Holy Orders: (p. 223, 52)
 The sacrament of priestly ministry in the church, conferred through the laying on of hands by a
bishop.
 The sacrament of apostolic ministry exercised in the Church, bestowed through the laying on of
hands; the three degrees or orders of the sacrament are deacon, priest, and bishop.
Order: (p. 223)
 A rank or level in a priestly ministry; a word derived from the Latin ordo, which designated a
military rank or government administrative level in the Roman Empire.
Diaconate: (p. 223)
 From the Greek word for one who serves; the first of the three ministerial orders in the Church.
Deacon: (p. 223)
 One who has been ordained into the first of the three ministerial orders in the Church.
Presbyterate: (p. 223, 52)
 From the Greek word for an elder; the second of the three ministerial orders in the Church.
 The term used in the early church for an elder or community leader; still used today in reference
to the second of the Holy Orders; the word priest is derived from this word.
Priest: (p. 223)
 One who has been ordained into the second of the three ministerial orders in the church.
Episcopate: (p. 223)
 From the Greek word for supervisor or overseer; the third of the three ministerial orders in the
Church.
Bishop: (p. 223)
 One who has been ordained into the third of the three ministerial orders in the church
Catechetics: (p. 223)
 Religious education and spiritual formation.

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