Religion - Grade 7 Study Guide for Midterm

Words to Know [Word Bank]

creed  - a brief summary of what people believe.

Magisterium – the living, teaching office [authority] of the Church.  This office, through bishops and with the pope, provides an authentic interpretation of the Word of God.

doctrine -- a belief taught by the Church as true.

dogma – a truth revealed by God that is officially defined by the Church as an article of faith for Catholics.

parable – a story of something familiar from life experiences used to teach a truth about God and the kingdom.

miracle – signs or acts of wonder that cannot be explained by natural causes but are works of God.

compassion – pity or sympathy for people who are suffering and a desire to relieve their pain.

contrition – the sorrow we feel when we know that we have sinned, followed by the decision not to sin again.

confession – the act of telling our sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

penance – the turning away from sin with a desire to change our life and more closely live the way God wants us to live.  The action that the priest asks us to take or the prayers that he asks us to pray after he absolves us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. [a prayer, act of self-denial, or work of charity]

absolution – the forgiveness we receive from God through the priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

conversion - change

viaticum – the Eucharist that a dying person receives.  It is spiritual food for the last journey we make as Christians the journey through death to eternal life.

reconciliation – the sacrament in which Christ offers forgiveness to those who have turned away from God and the community.

Words to Know [Define]

Paschal Mystery – the work of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ through his passion, death, Resurrection, and ascension.

Trinity – the mystery of the existence of God in three Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Mission – the work of Jesus Christ that is continued in the Church through the Holy Spirit.  Special work to which we are sent.

Mortal Sin – a serious decision to turn away from God by doing something that we know is wrong.  A serious offense against God that destroys our friendship with him.

Venial Sin – a choice we make that weakens our relationship with God or with other people.

Sabbath – the seventh day, when God rested after finishing the work of creation.  The Third Commandment requires us to keep this day holy.  The Jewish day of rest is Saturday and the Christian day of rest is Sunday.