Catholic Glossary

The act of a priest forgiving sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

God's intervention in a particular moment to help us choose good.

Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, especially when exposed in a monstrance.

The four-week liturgical season of preparation before Christmas.

Hebrew for "Praise God," sung before the Gospel (except during Lent).

The table on which the Eucharistic sacrifice is offered.

The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would bear Christ.

Sacrament for physical and spiritual healing, formerly called Last Rites or Extreme Unction.

One of the twelve chosen by Jesus, or a missionary sent to spread the Gospel.

The unbroken line of bishops from the Apostles to the present.

A bishop who leads an archdiocese, often a metropolitan see.

The dogma that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven.

The first sacrament, which cleanses from sin and makes one a child of God and member of the Church.

The direct knowledge of God enjoyed by the blessed in heaven.

The second step toward canonization, allowing public veneration.

A blessing with the Blessed Sacrament.

A successor to the Apostles with the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders.

The official list of books in the Bible recognized by the Church.

The official declaration that a person is a saint in heaven.

A senior bishop appointed by the Pope, eligible to elect a new Pope.

A person preparing to receive Baptism through the RCIA process.

The cup used to hold the consecrated wine (Christ's Blood) at Mass.

A set of prayer beads shorter than a rosary (e.g., Divine Mercy Chaplet).

A spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church.

Consecrated oil used in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.

A covered vessel used to hold consecrated hosts.

Receiving the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

The meeting of cardinals to elect a new pope.

Sacrament that strengthens the grace of Baptism and seals one with the Holy Spirit.

Sorrow for sins committed, with the intention to avoid future sin.

An ordained minister who assists priests and bishops.

The seven books in the Catholic Bible not in most Protestant Bibles.

A territorial district under the care of a bishop.

A devotion centered on Christ's mercy, promoted by St. Faustina.

A saint recognized for significant theological contribution.

A truth revealed by God and definitively taught by the Church.

The three holiest days: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

A formal letter from the Pope addressed to the universal Church.

The study of the last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell.

The sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood under the forms of bread and wine.

Proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples.

When the Pope speaks with full papal authority on faith or morals (infallibly).

Placing the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance for adoration.

The first time a baptized person receives the Eucharist, usually around age 7-8.

The Good News of Jesus Christ; the first four books of the New Testament.

The free and unmerited gift of God's life and assistance.

The most common Catholic prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Eternal separation from God for those who die in mortal sin.

An hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Sacrament by which a man is ordained deacon, priest, or bishop.

The week before Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday.

The sermon given by the priest or deacon after the Gospel reading.

The doctrine that Mary was conceived without original sin.

The mystery of the Son of God becoming man in Jesus Christ.

Remission of temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven.

The divine influence on the human authors of Sacred Scripture.

Prayer on behalf of another; saints intercede for us before God.

Prayer on behalf of another; saints intercede for us before God.

Being made righteous before God through faith and baptism.

All the baptized faithful who are not clergy or religious.

The book containing Scripture readings for Mass.

The 40-day season of penance preparing for Easter.

A theological concept of a state for unbaptized souls (no longer officially taught).

A prayer of petition with repeated responses (e.g., Litany of the Saints).

The Church's yearly cycle of feasts and seasons.

The official public worship of the Church.

The official daily prayer of the Church, also called the Divine Office.

The teaching authority of the Church, exercised by the Pope and bishops.

A reported supernatural appearance of the Virgin Mary (e.g., Lourdes, Fatima).

One who dies for the faith rather than renounce Christ.

The Catholic celebration of the Eucharist.

The sacrament of marriage between a baptized man and woman.

A sacred vessel used to display the Blessed Sacrament for adoration.

A grave sin that destroys sanctifying grace and separates us from God.

A nine-day period of prayer for a special intention.

The liturgical season outside Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

The fallen state inherited from Adam and Eve's first sin.

A title of honor for the Virgin Mary.

A local Catholic community under the care of a pastor.

The judgment each person receives immediately after death.

Christ's passion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

The plate on which the host is placed during Mass.

A saint who is a special protector of a person, place, or activity.

Acts performed to make amends for sin; also another name for Reconciliation.

Continuous Eucharistic adoration by a community in shifts.

The Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, head of the Catholic Church.

An ordained minister who celebrates Mass, hears confessions, and shepherds souls.

A sacred song or hymn from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

The state of purification after death before entering Heaven.

Christ's true presence in the Eucharist—body, blood, soul, and divinity.

The sacrament of forgiveness, also called Confession or Penance.

Christ's saving work of freeing humanity from sin through His death.

The physical remains or belongings of a saint, venerated by the faithful.

A community of men or women living under vows (poverty, chastity, obedience).

God's self-disclosure to humanity through Scripture and Tradition.

A devotional prayer meditating on the mysteries of Christ through Mary.

An outward sign instituted by Christ that gives grace.

Sacred sign (like holy water or blessed medals) that prepares one to receive grace.

Devotion to the love of Jesus symbolized by His physical heart.

The living transmission of the Gospel, handed down from the Apostles.

Deliverance from sin and its consequences through Christ.

The process of becoming holy through God's grace.

The permanent gift of God's life dwelling in the soul.

A devotional garment worn over the shoulders as a sign of consecration.

The first step in canonization; a candidate for sainthood.

A devotion following 14 moments of Christ's passion and death.

The wounds of Christ miraculously appearing on a person's body.

The ornate box where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

Greek for "God-bearer," a title for Mary affirming Jesus' divinity.

The change of bread and wine into Christ's Body and Blood at Mass.

The one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The headquarters of the Catholic Church and residence of the Pope in Rome.

Title given when heroic virtue is proven in the canonization process.

Honor given to saints and sacred objects (not worship, which is for God alone).

A lesser sin that weakens but does not destroy our relationship with God.

The sacred garments worn by clergy during liturgical celebrations.

Holy Communion given to those in danger of death (Latin for "food for the journey").

A candle lit before a statue or icon as a prayer offering.

A Mass celebrated the evening before a Sunday or holy day.

The doctrine that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit without a human father.

A female saint who died for the faith while maintaining consecrated virginity.

A good habit that helps us live morally; theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity.

Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, where she proclaimed the Magnificat.

Sacred promises made to God, especially in religious life or marriage.

Another name for the Stations of the Cross.