We are indebted to Fr. John Hardon’s Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary for the definitions marked with an asterisk. The numbers after the definition correspond to the lesson in which the word appears above. We are also indebted to the Glossary in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, marked with †
The Bishops – Successors of the Apostles who have received the fullness of Christ’s priesthood (5.4).*
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – In Jesus’ teaching, the “unforgivable sin” or “eternal sin.” It is a knowing rejection or despairing of the saving work of the Holy Spirit, and leads to eternal damnation (5.9).
The Bond of Fellowship – The unique communion shared by the baptized both with God and with one another in the Church (5.4).
Economy of Salvation – God’s activity in creating and governing the world, particularly with regard to his plan for the salvation of the world in the person and work of Jesus Christ, a plan which is being accomplished through his Body the Church, in its life and sacraments (5.2).†
The Catholic Church – The Church established by Christ on the foundation of the Apostles, professing the fullness of the means of salvation which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry in apostolic succession (5.3).†
Catholic Hierarchy – The Apostles and their successors, the college of bishops, to whom Christ gave the authority to teach, sanctify, and rule the Church in his name (5.5).†
Communion -The most sacred expression for any one of different forms of togetherness (5.3).*
Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus – Latin expression meaning “outside the Church there is no salvation” (5.3).
Faith – Both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole truth that God has revealed. … Faith is both a theological virtue given by God as grace, and an obligation which flows from the first commandment (5.4).†
Hell – The place and state of eternal punishment for the fallen angels and human beings who die deliberately estranged from the love of God (5.10).*
Holy Fear – A righteous fear within the soul that makes it adverse to sin and drawn toward God (5.11).
Hope – The theological virtue by which we desire and expect from God both eternal life and the grace we need to attain it (5.11).†
Love – (Natural) To will good to someone. Also to please someone, either by sharing with that person what one possesses or by doing what someone wants (5.11).* (Supernatural) The theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God (5.11).†
The Mystery of Iniquity – A term used by St. Paul that refers to the hidden work of the devil in the world (see 2 Thess 2:7). It also brings to mind how sin is senseless and irrational (5.9).
Parable – A short story based on a familiar life experience used to teach a spiritual lesson. It resembles the fable and the allegory (5.7).*
The Pope – Title of the visible head of the Catholic Church. He is called Pope […] because his authority is supreme and because it is to be exercised in a paternal way, after the example of Christ (5.4).*
Preparation for the Gospel – An expression from the Second Vatican Council. The goodness and truth in creation are meant to prepare human beings for the Gospel of Jesus Christ (5.6).
Punishment – Any ill suffered in consequence of wrongdoing. Human beings are free and thus responsible for their misdeeds (5.10).*
The Sacraments – Sensible signs, instituted by Jesus Christ, by which invisible grace and inward sanctification are communicated to the soul. The essential elements of a sacrament of the New Law are: institution by Christ the God-man during his visible stay on earth, and a sensibly perceptible rite that actually confers the supernatural grace it symbolizes (5.4).*
The Second Vatican Council – A gathering of the Catholic bishops throughout the world between 1962 and 1965 in order to discuss the proclamation of the Gospel in the present day. One of the 21 Ecumenical Councils of the Church (5.5).
Secularization – A kind of loss of religious faith that leads to a society largely divorced from God. Under totalitarian regimes, such as Communism, civil power forcibly deprives the Church of the possession and use of her schools, hospitals, and welfare institutions (5.6).*
Sin – A deliberate transgression of a law of God (5.9).*
Spiritual Warfare – A kind of interior battle that bears fruit for the salvation of souls (5.8).