A deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the law of God. Sins hurt our relationship with God and other people.
What is sin?
The process by which adults and some children become members of the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation.
What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults?
An essential element of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation when you tell your sins to the priest; it is another name for the Sacrament.
What is Confession?
The season of preparation for Easter, when Catholics often choose to sacrifice or "give up" something that they enjoy.
What is Lent?
God welcomes people into the Church in these three Sacraments known as the Sacraments of Initiation.
What are Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist?
A sin that weakens a person’s relationship with God but does not destroy it.
What is Venial Sin?
A “learner,” or person preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation.
What is a Catechumen?
Being sorry for your sins and wanting to live better.
What is Contrition?
On this day, the beginning of Lent, all Catholic adults are called to fast and many attend Mass where they receive ashes shaped like a cross on their forehead.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Jesus continues sharing God's forgiving and healing love in these Sacraments of healing.
What are Penance/Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick?
The most serious form of personal sin, through which a person breaks his or her relationship with God.
What is Mortal Sin?
A representative of the parish community who supports a catechumen celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation.
What is a Sponsor?
The words spoken by the priest during the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to grant forgiveness of sins in God’s name.
What is Absolution?
These are the three pillars or practices that Catholics participate in during Lent.
What are prayer, fasting and almsgiving?
Catechumens who prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation in RCIA often receive the Sacraments at this Mass, the greatest celebration of the Church year.
What is the Easter Vigil?
The state of goodness that humanity enjoyed before our first parents, Adam and Eve chose to sin against God.
What is Original Holiness?
The Sacrament that seals us with a special outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, deepens the grace of Baptism, and strengthens us to give witness to Christ in the world.
What is Confirmation?
The action taken to repair the damage done from sin.
What is Reparation?
This saint's feast day is celebrated on March 17, he was a missionary who brought the Gospel to Ireland, and he is the patron saint of Ireland.
Who is St. Patrick?
This saint volunteered to travel to Molokai, Hawaii and minister to the people with Leprosy who were living there. He eventually died from Leprosy himself.
Who is St. Damien of Molokai?
The first sin of our ancestors Adam and Eve, which has been passed on to all people that came after them, we are cleansed of it in our Baptism.
What is Original Sin?
Perfumed oil used for anointing in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.
What is Sacred Chrism?
A prayer said by the penitent during the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance that expresses that they are sorry for their sins. (At SPX we say it at the end of every school day)
What is the Act of Contrition?
This saint whose feast day is celebrated on March 19, was the foster father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. He is the patron of the universal Church.
Who is St. Joseph?
One way Catholics can prepare to receive the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation is through this prayerful reflection in which they examine their thoughts, words, and actions.
What is an Examination of Conscience?