This Dictionary presents words used in the Catholic Faith.  All the way from A to Z.  If you see we have skipped an important word, please E-Mail us at dictionary@cyc.faithweb.com.  Many words are taken straight out of the Cathecism of the Catholic Church Second Edition (see definition) and after the definition, usually it will site paragraphs from the it for additional reading.

ABC | DEF | GHI | JKL | MNO | PQR | STUV | WXYZ
 

ABC


Abortion Deliberate termination of pregnancy by killing the unborn chlid.  Such direct abortion, willed either as an end or means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.  The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life (CCC 2271-2).
Absolution An essential element of the Sacrament of Penance in which the priest, by the power entrusted to the Church by Christ, pardons the sin(s) of the penitent (CCC 1424, 1442, 1449, 1453, 1480).4 
Acedia A less common synonym for sloth, one of the seven "capital" sins (CCC 1866).
Acolyte A liturgical minister appointed to assist at liturgical celebrations.  Priests and deacons receive this ministry before they are ordained.  Lay men may be installed permanently in the ministry of acolyte through a rite of institution and blessing (CCC 903, 1672). 
Adoration The achknowledgement of God as God, Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists.  Through worship and prayer, the Church and individual persons give to God the adoration which is the first act of the virtue of religion.  The first commandment of the law obliges us to adore God (CCC 2096, 2628, cf 1083).
Adultery Maritial infidelity, or sexual relations between two partners, at least one of whom is married to another party.  The sixth commandment of the New Testament forbids adultery absolutely (CCC 2380, cf. 1650).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

 
 

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Excommunication  A severe ecclesiastical penalty, resulting from grave crimes against the Catholic religion, imposed by ecclesiastical authority or incurred as a direct result of the commission of an offense.  Excommunication excludes the offender from taking part in the Eucharist or other sacraments and from the exercise of any ecclesiastical office, ministry, or function (CCC 1463). 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 
 

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Moral Law A rule of conduct established by competent authority for the common good.  In biblical terms, the moral law is the fatherly instruction of God, setting forth the ways which lead to happiness and proscribing those which lead to evil.  The divine or eternal law can be either natural or revealed (positive).  Natural moral law is inscribed in the heart , and known by human reason.  Revealed law is found in the ancient law (Old Testemant), notably the ten commandments, and in the new law (law of the Gospel), the teaching of Christ, notable the Sermon on the Mount, which perfects the ancient law (CCC 1950-1974).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 
 

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Penance Interior penance: a conversion of heart toward God and away from sin, which implies the intention to change one's life because of hope in divine mercy (CCC 1431).  External acts of penance include fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (CCC 1434).  The observance of certain penitential practices is obliged by the fourth precept of the Church (CCC 2043). 
Penance, Sacrament of The liturgical celebration of God's forgiveness of the sins of the penitent, who is thus reconciled with God and with the Church.  The acts of the penitent - contrition, the confession of sins, and the satisfaction or reparation - together with the prayers of absolution by the priest, constitute the essential elements of the Sacrament of Penance (CCC 980, 1422, 1440, 1448).  (Learn more about the Sacrament of Penance).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 
 
 
 

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Sacrament An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispoensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1131, 774).  The sacraments (called "mysteries" in the Eastern Churches) are seven in number: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance or Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony (CCC 1210).
Sin An offense against God as well as a fault against reason, truth, and right conscience.  Sin is a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God.  In judging the gravity of sin, it is customary to distinguish between mortal and venial sins (CCC 1849, 2094, 2733). (Also see original sin)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 
 
 
 

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