Catholic Vocabulary #1

A free and temporary gift from God which strengthens the intellect and will to do good

Day on which a saint is venerated, usually coinciding with their death

Process by which the College of Cardinals elects a new pope

Rare but severe penalty in which a Church member is excluded from access to the Sacraments and public worship

Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude - the foundational virtues of Christian morality

Letters issued by the pope to bishops on matters of faith, morals, and discipline

Section between the nave and transept in a traditional church layout

Change of Eucharistic bread and wine into the true body and true blood of Christ

Anointing oil used in baptism, confirmation, and holy orders

Greek term meaning "same essence," used in regard to Christ's divine nature compared to God the Father

First sacred linen placed on top of communion chalice, also used to clean it

The teaching authority of the Church and its teachings, including Sacred Scripture and Tradition

Raised platform in a church from which the Gospel is delivered

The second set of mysteries in the Rosary, added more recently to reflect the life and teaching of Jesus

Tall, ornate headdress worn by bishops for important occasions

Medieval school of thought based on uniting Catholic dogma and Aristotelian rationality

The first Latin Bible, transcribed by Saint Jerome in the late fourth century

Evening prayers in the liturgy of the hours, coming from the Latin word for "dusk"

Highest choir of angels, described as having six wings and praising God at His throne

Sermon delivered after the Gospel which explains readings and connects them to lives of the congregation