almsgiving

Freely giving money or material goods to a person who is

needy. It may be an act of penance or of Christian charity.

ambo

The lectern or stand where God’s word is read.

Amen

A Hebrew word used to conclude prayer. Meaning: “So be it,it is true, we believe it.”

Anamnesis

Remembering the death and resurrection of Christ until he

comes again (the remembrance)

angel

A spiritual being created by God-special messengers of God.

Annunciation

The revelation to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel that she is

to conceive a child to be the Son of God.

annulment

A declaration by the Church that a marriage is null and void, that, it never existed. Catholics who divorce must also have

the marriage annulled by the Church in order to be free to

marry again in the Church.

Anointing of the Sick

One of the seven sacraments, sometimes formerly known as

“the sacrament of the dying,: in which a gravely ill, aging, or

dying person is anointed by the priest and prayed over by

him and the attending believers. One need not be dying to

receive this sacrament.

Anointed One

(Christus) A name for Jesus which means chosen by God to

lead people to eternal life.

Apocalypse

The book of the New Testament written by John which

describes his revelation and the future of the Church.

apologetic

The ability to defend or vindicate the Christian faith.

Apostles

Twelve men Jesus called to follow him.

Apostles’ Creed

A summary of what Catholics believe.

Apostolic Age

Founded on the teaching of the Apostles from the time of

Jesus’ Ascension to the death of the last Apostle, approx.

100 years.

apostolic succession

The uninterrupted passing on of the authority from the

Apostles, directly to all bishops. It is accomplished through

the laying on of hands when a bishop is ordained.

apostolic tradition

The fundamental truths and beliefs of the Catholic Church,

both written and oral, that have been handed down to us

since the time of Jesus and the apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

appropriate

Something that is acceptable.

ark of the covenant

A Tabernacle God commanded Moses to build of acacia

wood to hold the restored tables of The Law.

artificial insemination

The process by which a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg

are united in a manner other than natural human intercourse.

In the narrowest sense, it means injecting sperm into a

woman’s cervical canal. The Church considers it morally

wrong because it separates intercourse from the act of

procreation.

Ascension

The 40th day after Easter observed in commemoration of

Christ’s ascension into heaven.

aspergillum

Liturgical instrument used to sprinkle people or objects with

holy water during blessings.

Assumption

The carrying of Mary, body and spirit, to heaven after her

death.

Baptism

The sacrament through which those who believe in Jesus

become members of His Body, the Church, receive new life

in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of life forever with the Trinity.

Beatitudes

Eight guidelines that Jesus gave His disciples for living His

way. They are found in Matthew 5:3-10.

begotten

(Only begotten Son) only from the Son

Benediction

Practice in which the Blessed Sacrament is put in a

monstrance and placed on an altar with candles, silent

prayer, hymns, and scripture readings.

Bethlehem

A town located six miles outside of Jerusalem. According to

three of the Gospels, Commonly known as the birth place of Jesus Christ and the location of the Nativity.

Bible

An inspired book about God and the people of God. It is

divided into the Old Testament, which has forty-six books,

and the New Testament, which has twenty-seven books.

birth control

A deliberate and directly intended action to prevent

conception or birth from taking place.

bishop

Recognized as a successor of the Apostles. Serves as a

head of a diocese.

blasphemy

Speaking, acting, or thinking about God in a way that is

irreverent, mocking, or offensive. It is a sin against the

second commandment.

Body of Christ

Jesus is seen as the head of the body, the Church.

Book of Revelation

The last book of the New Testament written to give a

message of hope and strength during times of persecution

and suffering.

candle

Candles made chiefly from bees-wax and prescribed for use

at Mass and other liturgical functions.

canonization

The official proclamation by the Pope that a deceased

member of the Church is to be recognized as a saint and

may serve as model of the Christian ideal; also the name of

the process by which one is found worthy of such

recognition.

catholic

Universal. Open to the whole world. One of the four marks of the Church.

Catholic

A member of the Catholic Church community of Christians

who become followers of Jesus Christ through Baptism and

who believe in the Seven Sacraments and in the leadership

and authority of the Pope and Bishops.

Catholic Church

The church established by Christ on the foundations passed

through the Apostles as in communion with the Pope, the

successor of Peter.

Catechumenate (RCIA)

A time of preparation for Baptism undertaken by adults who are not baptized. People officially enrolled in the

catechumenate are called catechumens or “the elect”.

celibacy

The practice of perfect continence by priests and bishops;

meant to foster single-minded devotion to God and service in the ministry.

celebrant

The person who oversees any act of public worship. In a

Eucharistic liturgy or Mass, the celebrant is always an

ordained priest.

chalice

The sacred cup or goblet used for the consecration of the

wine at Mass.

Chant

Hymn

The virtue of living one’s sexuality in a manner to one’s state of life by which a person chooses to express and/or stay in

control of one’s sexual desires according to one’s vocation.

chasuble

The outer liturgical vestment worn by the celebrant at Mass.

Christmas

That time during the Church year when Catholics celebrate

the birth of Jesus. (Dec. 25th)

church

From the Greek “ecclesia” meaning gathering of the people.

Church Fathers

Great Christian teachers of the first eight centuries.

ciborium

A chalice like vessel used to contain the Blessed Sacrament.

cincture

Cord of liturgical color used to gather the alb at the waist.

common good

Social conditions that allow for all citizens of the earth,

individuals and families, to meet basic needs and achieve

fulfillment.

communal prayer

Prayer as a community act and an act of community

awareness.

Communion

Communion