Catholicism: Key Terms and Concepts Explained
Key Catholic Terms and Concepts
Creed – Latin credo, “I believe.” Confession of faith.
Transcendentals – Goodness, truth, and beauty. God reveals himself through these things.
Evil – Absence of goodness/love.
Angels – Pure spirits created out of nothing for union with God at the beginning of time.
Incarnation – The mystery of how God, the second person of the Trinity, became human.
Demons – Angels that follow Satan.
Guardian Angels – Angel given to each person to pray for, protect, and guide.
Transubstantiation – Change of Eucharistic bread and wine into the blood and body of Christ.
Substance – The very object or thing itself.
Accidents – Physical properties and characteristics.
Covenant – Extension of kinship by oath.
Mediator – Person who works between two people as a connection to one another.
Divine Revelation – Times when God revealed himself.
Eucharist – Comes from the Greek word meaning thanksgiving.
Divine Filiation – Being a child of God.
Short Answers:
Who are the three Persons of the Trinity? Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What’s one religion, besides Catholicism/Christianity, that shows a belief in a God/gods/Higher Power? Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.
What is God’s name that He revealed to Moses? What does it mean in English? I am who I am.
What are the three requirements for the situation of love? Beloved, love, lover.
What is the greatest evil that can happen to a person? Separation from God.
The worst evil ever to occur was what? How did God bring good from even that? When we killed him, but he used this to give us eternal life.
Saint – Any person in heaven.
Latria – Supreme worship allowed to God alone.
Dulia – Veneration or honor given to those who reflects God’s goodness.
Hyperdulia – Honor we give our Lady.
Wedding Feast of the Lamb – Completion of the Church at the end of time, where we are united.
Catholic – Member of the original Church established by Christ.
Bishop – An ordained, consecrated, or appointed member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight.
Magisterium – Teaching body of Christ.
Laity – People of the Church.
Chrism – Perfumed oil, consecrated.
Impassibility – Body will no longer suffer physically or die.
Clarity – Body will be free of deformity: filled with beauty and radiance.
Catechesis – Education in Christian faith by the bishop; signifies the gift…
Apostolic Succession – The uninterrupted transmission of spiritual authority from the Apostles through successive popes and bishops, taught by the Roman Catholic Church but denied by most Protestants.
Assumption – Mary being taken body and soul to heaven.
Understanding – Ability to comprehend God’s message.
Pentecost – The Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension, held on the seventh Sunday after Easter.
Epiphany – The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
- Magi – Philosophers/astronomers; pagans seeking truth
Adoration – Spending time with Christ as we gaze upon him in the Eucharist.
Tabernacle – Container where the body of Christ is kept between masses.
Monstrance – Holds body of Christ for purpose of adoration.
Prayer – Talking or listening to God.
Holy Days of Obligation – Days honoring the Lord, Our Lady, or other saints where Catholics are obligated to observe.