Unit 2 Vocab Flashcards
Sacrament
an efficacious sign of God’s grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. There are seven of them: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders
Symbol
an object or action that points to another reality; it can sometimes make present the reality it signifies; from the Greek meaning “thrown together” from syn (together) and ballo (to
throw)
Efficacious
meaning “effective” or capable of causing an effect.
Ritual
an established pattern of actions that has symbolic meaning
Grace
a free and undeserved gift of God’s divine life that sanctifies us and allows us to be in
right relationship with him
Ex Opere Operato
a phrase used to explain how the sacraments are efficacious; meaning “by
the work worked”
Liturgy
the official, public, and communal prayers of the Church; every sacrament is
celebrated in the context of a liturgy.
The Sacraments of Initiation
the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist that make one
a full member of the Church.
The Sacrament of Baptism
the first of the Seven Sacraments, which forgives sin and restores us to right relationship with God.
Original Sin
the fallen state of human nature into which all people are born—a result of the Fall
Sacrament Character
a permanent mark on the soul given at Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy
Orders
Baptism of Blood
the teaching that one can receive the graces and effects of baptism in martyrdom even without baptism by water
Baptism of Desire
the teaching that one can receive the graces and effects of baptism if one desires baptism by water but dies before receiving it
The Sacraments of Healing
the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of Sick that provide
grace for spiritual and physical healing.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
the Sacrament of Healing by which sins committed after Baptism
are forgiven and right relationship with God restored.
Reconciliation
the act of bringing back together what has been separated.
Penance
an act intended to atone for one’s sins
Venial Sins
lesser sins that harm our relationship with God without severing it
Mortal Sins
grave sins that sever our relationship with God and that require the Sacrament of
Reconciliation to be forgiven
Contrition
an attitude of sorrow for a sin committed and a resolution not to sin again
Words of Absolution
the words required by the Sacrament of Reconciliation that extend absolution to
the penitent.
Matter and Form
the material or physical element used in the sacrament and the specific set
of words or ritual formula spoken during the sacrament.
