Early Church
Found in the New Testament, these were written to various people and communities by early Christian leaders, they pass on wisdom, correction and instruction on how to live the faith. Today, they give us the same wisdom and direction.
Letters or Epistles
The name for these things given to us by God in Baptism and strengthened in Confirmation that make it possible for us to live our lives for and with God. They are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The statement of belief of Catholics. This communal prayer is said at Mass. There is the Apostle’s version and the Nicene version.
Creed
The form of prayer we speak audibly, out loud. The form of prayer where we express in words the inner feelings and fervor of our soul. The Our Father is one example. Our liturgical responses are also.
Vocal/Verbal Prayer
Person of the Holy Trinity who came to the Apostles at Pentecost and empowered them to establish the Church after the Ascension of Jesus. Still at work in all the Baptized today.
Holy Spirit
Those individuals who accept Jesus’s message of love and follow him. They share in the mission, joy and suffering of Jesus. We are called to be these of Christ today.
Disciples
Like Baptism and First Communion, Confirmation is one of these three types of Sacraments.
Sacraments of Initiation
The ability to use one’s intellect to explore the truth among alternatives. It is a process that works with faith to come to knowledge of God.
Reason
The form of prayer where we simply rest in wordless adoration of God focusing our heart and mind on His greatness, goodness and love.
Contemplative Prayer
What are the four Marks of the Church. These are called out in the Nicene Creed.
One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
The holy writings of the Old and New Testaments. They were composed by human authors inspired by the Holy Spirit and contain the truth of God’s Revelation. The collection of writings accepted by the Church as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Outlines the revelation given by God about himself and his will for humankind. Along with tradition, it makes up the Deposit of Faith for the Church.
Sacred Scripture
Persons who are to be confirmed.
Confirmands
The change from bread and wine to the Body and Blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the prayer of the priest in the Eucharistic celebration.
Transubstantiation
The form of prayer which engages our thought, imagination and emotion to better understand the convictions of our faith and to respond to what the Lord is asking of us.
Meditative Prayer
The teaching of the apostles as handed down through the ages, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Along with Scripture it makes up the Deposit of Faith of the Church.
Apostolic Tradition
The mystery that at the time appointed by God, Jesus without losing his divine nature assumed human nature to bring about our salvation. In this, Jesus is both fully God and fully human. Term used in Nicene Creed – “of the Virgin Mary”.
Incarnation
A permanent, supernatural quality that is imprinted on the soul in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. It remains even in a person who may lose the state of grace or even the virtue of faith.
Indelible Character
New term used in the Nicene Creed that means “one in being” or equal in every way. Describing relationship between Jesus, God the Son, with the God the Father.
Consubstantial
The Catholic prayer tradition of nine days of prayer in a row with a specific prayer intention in mind.
Novena
The unique call from God to live a life of holiness through love and service to Christ and his Church. Examples are holy orders and matrimony.
Vocation
The life, death and resurrection of Christ which saves us from slavery to sin and death.
Redemptive Work
A specific gift or grace of the Holy Sprit that helps a person to live a Christian life, serve the common good, or build up the Church.
Charisms
“___ and ____” phrase that refers to the Eucharist containing all the spiritual good of the Church. Means the fount of all goodness and the highest good possible. The Eucharist binds and orients the members of the Body of Christ in faith.
Source and Summit
This type of prayer is said vocally as a community. Some examples are the creed and Our Father during Mass.
Communal Prayer
Term used when the Church acts as a teacher of the faith. It is the living, teaching office of the Church, given by Christ to the Apostles and their successors the bishops, in union with the Pope. It provides faithfulness to the teaching of the apostles on matters of faith and morals.
Magisterium