Glossary
Catholic Glossary
Over 71 terms and concepts of the Catholic faith explained with clarity, depth, and fidelity to the Magisterium.
The Catholic faith has its own vocabulary, forged over two millennia of theological reflection, prayer, and pastoral experience. Knowing these terms is not an academic exercise — it is a way to deepen understanding of what we believe and celebrate. This glossary is a reading companion for our reflections and Bible studies, but also a standalone resource for catechists, students, new converts, and anyone curious about the Catholic faith.
A
Absolution
The forgiveness of sins granted by the priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in the name of Christ. After confession and the act of contrition, the priest pronounces the formula of absolution that forgives sins.
Advent
The four-week liturgical season of preparation for Christmas, marked by expectation and hope for the coming of Christ. It begins four Sundays before Christmas and uses purple as its liturgical color, symbolizing penance and conversion.
Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament that confers special grace upon Christians who are seriously ill or in danger of death. It strengthens the soul, forgives sins, and may contribute to physical healing.
Apostle
The twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to be the first leaders of the Church and witnesses of His Resurrection. Bishops are considered their direct successors.
B
Baptism
The first sacrament of Christian initiation, through which one is born to the life of grace, freed from original sin, and incorporated into Christ and His Church.
Beatitudes
The eight declarations of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:3-12) about who is truly blessed. They are the program for Christian life and a portrait of Jesus Himself.
Blessed Sacrament
The Eucharist preserved in the tabernacle, the real and substantial presence of Christ under the species of consecrated bread. It is the object of adoration and veneration.
Breviary
The liturgical book containing the Liturgy of the Hours — the official prayer of the Church distributed throughout the day: Lauds, Midday Prayer, Vespers, and Compline.
C
Catechism
The official compendium of Catholic doctrine, presenting the Church's teachings in a systematic way. The current version was promulgated by Saint John Paul II in 1992.
Catholic Social Teaching
The body of Church teaching on social, economic, and political questions in light of the Gospel. Includes principles such as human dignity, the common good, and solidarity.
Charity
The greatest of the three theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity). It is the love of God and of neighbor for the sake of God, and summarizes the entire Christian law.
Christmas
The solemnity of the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated on December 25. It celebrates the mystery of the Incarnation — God becoming man out of love for humanity.
Communion of Saints
The spiritual union among all the faithful — those living on earth (Church Militant), those in purgatory (Church Suffering), and those in heaven (Church Triumphant).
Confirmation
The sacrament through which the baptized receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, strengthening them to be witnesses of Christ in the world.
Consecration
The central moment of the Mass when the priest, pronouncing the words of Christ at the Last Supper, transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
D
Deaconry
The charitable and fraternal service that every Christian is called to render. Deacons are ordained ministers specifically for this service in the community.
Dei Verbum
Dogmatic Constitution of the Second Vatican Council on Divine Revelation, teaching how God reveals Himself to humanity through Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
Dogma
A truth revealed by God and solemnly defined by the Church as binding for all the faithful. Examples: the Holy Trinity, the Resurrection of Christ, the Immaculate Conception.
E
Easter
The greatest Christian solemnity celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is the foundation of all Christian faith and the center of the liturgical year.
Ecumenical Council
A solemn assembly of all the world's bishops convened by the Pope to deliberate on matters of faith, morals, and discipline. The most recent was the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
Encyclical
A solemn letter from the Pope addressed to the entire Church and sometimes to all humanity, on matters of faith, morals, or social doctrine. Example: Pope Francis' 'Laudato Si'.
Eschatology
The branch of theology that studies the last things: death, particular judgment, heaven, purgatory, hell, the second coming of Christ, and the final judgment.
Eucharist
The central sacrament of the Catholic faith in which bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. It is the source and summit of all Christian life.
Eucharistic Adoration
The practice of silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the monstrance. It is a privileged moment of personal encounter with Christ truly present under the species of bread.
Evangelization
The fundamental mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all peoples, both through the witness of life and through the explicit preaching of the Gospel.
Examination of Conscience
The daily practice of interior review of one's actions, thoughts, and omissions in light of the commandments and the Gospel. Especially recommended before Confession.
F
Faith
The theological virtue by which we believe in God and all that He has revealed, not because we see, but because He is Truth itself. It is a gift from God and a free response from humanity.
Fatima
Marian shrine in Portugal where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children (Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta) in 1917. It is one of the largest pilgrimage centers in the world.
Final Judgment
The Catholic doctrine that at the end of time Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead, separating the righteous from the condemned and consummating the Kingdom of God.
G
Gaudium et Spes
Pastoral Constitution of the Second Vatican Council on the Church in the modern world. It addresses topics such as the dignity of the person, family, culture, economic life, and peace.
Genuflection
The act of briefly kneeling on the right knee as a sign of adoration to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist preserved in the tabernacle.
H
Holy Hour
A period of one hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, inspired by Jesus' request in Gethsemane: 'Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?' (Mt 26:40).
Holy Orders
The sacrament through which baptized men are consecrated as ministers of the Church in three degrees: deacon, priest, and bishop. It confers an indelible character.
Homily
The preaching of the priest or deacon during Mass that explains the biblical readings of the day and applies their meaning to the lives of the faithful. It is an integral part of the liturgy.
I
Immaculate Conception
The dogma declaring that Mary was conceived without original sin, prepared by God from the first instant of her existence to be the mother of the Savior. Celebrated on December 8.
Indulgence
The total (plenary) or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven. Obtained under certain conditions established by the Church: confession, communion, and prayer for the Pope.
J
Jubilee
A special holy year proclaimed by the Pope in which special indulgences are granted and the Church is invited to conversion, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal. Ordinarily occurs every 25 years.
K
Kenosis
Greek term meaning 'emptying,' used to describe Christ's divine humiliation in assuming human nature and accepting death on the cross (Philippians 2:7).
Kerygma
The essential first proclamation of the Gospel: Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose again, and is Lord. It is the core of the Christian faith, prior to all catechesis.
L
Lectio Divina
Traditional method of contemplative prayer with Sacred Scripture in four steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer), and contemplatio (contemplation).
Lent
The forty-day liturgical season of preparation for Easter, marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday.
Liturgical Year
The annual cycle of Church celebrations that covers the principal mysteries of Christ's life: Advent, Christmas, Lent, the Paschal Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time.
Liturgy
The public and official worship of the Church, centered on the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. It is the source and summit of all ecclesial life and activity.
Liturgy of the Hours
The official prayer of the Church that sanctifies the different hours of the day — Lauds (morning), Midday Prayer, Vespers (evening), and Compline (night) — through psalms, hymns, and readings.
Lumen Gentium
Dogmatic Constitution of the Second Vatican Council on the nature and mission of the Church. It defines the Church as the People of God, Body of Christ, and Temple of the Holy Spirit.
M
Magisterium
The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, exercised by the Pope (Extraordinary Magisterium) and by bishops in communion with him (Ordinary Magisterium). It guards and interprets the deposit of faith.
Mass
The Eucharistic celebration, which is both sacrifice (memorial of the Cross) and banquet (Communion). It is the center of the liturgical and spiritual life of every Catholic.
Mystagogy
The period of deepening the faith after receiving the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), especially during the Easter season.
Mysteries of the Rosary
The four sets of five events from the lives of Christ and Mary meditated upon during the Rosary prayer: Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious.
N
Novena
A prayer repeated for nine consecutive days, asking for a particular grace. It originates from the nine days the Apostles and Mary spent in prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost.
O
Original Sin
The condition of deprivation of sanctifying grace in which every human being is born, a consequence of the disobedience of Adam and Eve. It is erased by the sacrament of Baptism.
P
Papal Bull
An official and solemn document issued by the Pope, sealed with the papal seal (bulla). It can convene councils, declare dogmas, or establish norms for the universal Church.
Pentecost
The solemnity celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary, fifty days after Easter. It is considered the birthday of the Church.
Pope
The Bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter, supreme pastor of the universal Church, and vicar of Christ on earth. He exercises the primacy of jurisdiction over the entire Church.
Prayer
The elevation of the mind and heart to God. It can be vocal (with words), mental (meditation), or contemplative (loving silence in God's presence). It is the foundation of Christian life.
Priesthood
Participation in the priesthood of Christ. There exists the ministerial priesthood (received through Ordination) and the common priesthood of all the baptized.
Purgatory
The state of final purification after death for those who died in God's grace but are not yet fully purified, before entering heavenly glory.
R
Reconciliation
The sacrament — also called Confession or Penance — in which the penitent confesses their sins to a priest and receives God's forgiveness through absolution.
Resurrection
The central event of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ, after dying on the cross, rose on the third day with a glorified body. It is the foundation of all Christian hope.
Revelation
The act by which God makes Himself known to humanity, communicating His plan of salvation. It is realized through Sacred Scripture and the living Tradition of the Church.
Rosary
A Marian prayer that meditates on twenty mysteries from the lives of Christ and Mary through the recitation of Hail Marys, Our Fathers, and Glorias. It is the preferred prayer of many saints and popes.
S
Sacrament
A visible sign of the invisible grace of God, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
Sacred Scripture
The Bible — the Word of God written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For Catholics, it includes 73 books: 46 of the Old Testament and 27 of the New Testament.
Sanctifying Grace
The free and supernatural gift of God that makes us participants in the divine life and sanctifies us. Received in Baptism, it can be lost through mortal sin and recovered in Confession.
Stations of the Cross
The devotion meditating on the fourteen stations of Jesus' journey from condemnation to burial. Practiced especially during Lent and on Fridays.
T
Tabernacle
The sacred receptacle where the Eucharist (the Blessed Sacrament) is preserved in the church, marked by a permanently lit red lamp.
Theological Virtues
The three virtues infused by God into the soul of the baptized: Faith (to believe), Hope (to trust), and Charity (to love). They are the foundation of all Christian moral life.
Tradition
The living transmission of the Word of God, entrusted by Christ and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and their successors. Together with Scripture, it constitutes the deposit of faith.
Transubstantiation
The conversion of the entire substance of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ at the Eucharistic consecration, with only the appearances (accidents) of bread and wine remaining.
Trinity
The central mystery of the Christian faith: one God in three distinct Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — equal in divinity, power, and glory.
V
Vocation
God's call to each person for a specific form of life — priesthood, consecrated life, marriage, or celibacy — in service of the Church and neighbor.