Confession Vocab

Question 1

Almsgiving

Answer 1

The practice of Christian charity through the selfless donation of time, money, and other resources

Question 2

Confession

Answer 2

It is the essential element of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which involves one telling his sins to a priest. Also use to refer to the sacrament itself

Question 3

Conscience

Answer 3

The inner voice of a human being, in whose heart is inscribed the law of God.

Question 4

Contrition

Answer 4

True sorrow and hatred of committed sins, coupled with the firm purpose to sin no more. It is necessary for a good Confession

Question 5

Conversion

Answer 5

A radical reorientation of one’s whole life away from sin and evil and toward God. This is a central element of Christ’s preaching, of the Church, and of the Sacrament of Penance

Question 6

Examination of Conscience

Answer 6

Prayerful self-reflection on one’s words and deeds in light of the Gospel to determine how one has sinned against God

Question 7

Fasting

Answer 7

Mortification by depravation of food or drink. Denying the desires of the flesh in order to strengthen to spirit

Question 8

Free will

Answer 8

This gift from God includes the power of directing one’s own actions without constraint

Question 9

General Absolution

Answer 9

A form of rite of Penance that is rarely used. In extreme circumstances, a group of people may be absolved of their sins without individual confession of sins

Question 10

Imperfect Contrition

Answer 10

Sorrow of the soul and detestation of the sin committed together with the resolution not to sin again as a result of fear of God’s punishment rather than out of love of God

Question 11

Indulgence

Answer 11

The remission of the temporal punishment due to sin that has already been forgiven

Question 12

Lectio Divina

Answer 12

Reading and meditation on Scripture

Question 13

Moral Law

Answer 13

The ethical code, authored and revealed by God and safeguarded by the Church, imposing obligations on the conscience of each person

Question 14

Mortal sin

Answer 14

A grave offense against God that destroys a person’s relationship with him by severing him or her from divine love

Question 15

Partial indulgence

Answer 15

An indulgence that removes part of the temporal punishment due to sin

Question 16

Penance

Answer 16

A conversion of heart toward God and away from sin: this includes the intention to change one’s life because of hope in divine mercy

Question 17

Perfect contrition

Answer 17

Sorrow of the soul and detestation of the sin committed together with the resolution not to sin again as a result of love of God above all else

Question 18

Plenary indulgence

Answer 18

An indulgence removes all of the temporal punishment due to sin

Question 19

Purgatory

Answer 19

A state of final purification of the soul after death but before the entrance into heaven. For those in the friendship of God but were only imperfectly purified

Question 20

Reconciliation

Answer 20

The Sacrament by which Christ forgives sins.

Question 21

Satisfaction

Answer 21

An act whereby the sinner makes amends, especially in reparation to God for offenses against him

Question 22

Scrupulosity

Answer 22

The quality of one’s whose conscience judges an action to be morally evil when it is fact not or judging a mortal sin to be venial

Question 23

Seal of Confession

Answer 23

The confessor’s obligation to keep absolutely secret when a penitent has told him in the Sacrament of Penance

Question 24

Sensuality

Answer 24

A preoccupation with the senses or appetites; overindulgence in sensual pleasure

Question 25

Sin of commission

Answer 25

Sin by means of committing an evil such as theft or murder

Question 26

Sin of omission

Answer 26

Sin by means of failure to commit a good act, such as attend Mass kn Sunday or forgive a sinner

Question 27

Spiritual direction

Answer 27

Assisting persons to understand themselves and, with divine grace, to grow in the practice of Christian virtue, while acting as a vehicle for the Holy Spirit

Question 28

Temporal punishment

Answer 28

The punishment due to sin in order to heal the rift with God

Question 29

Venial Sin

Answer 29

An offense against the law of God that does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace

Question 30

Abstinence

Answer 30

A penitential practice, consisting of abstaining from the use of certain kinds of food. Also refers to refraining from sexual activity before marriage or within marriage as part of family planning