Glossary of Terms with Definitions that are Catholic in origin and usage
All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| BAPTISM |
BAPTISM, THE SACRAMENT OF, (Gr. dipping in water). A sacrament of the New Law instituted by Jesus Christ, in which, as a result of washing with water accompanied by the words "I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," a human being is spiritually regenerated, and made capable receiving the other sacraments. It imprints an unremovable "character" on the soul and admits the recipient to membership in the Catholic Church of Christ. The matter of baptism is natural water (remote) and its application so as to flow on the head (proximate); the form is the above or similar words (e.g., in the Byzantine rite "The servant of God N., is baptized in," etc.). The ordinary minister is a priest but baptism by a lay person is valid (see BAPTISM, LAY). By baptism, a child or adult is united to the visible body of the Church (by whomsoever the baptism was administered) and so remains until he performs any act (e.g., adherence to a non-Catholic body) which involves his exclusion there from. Baptism by water is necessary to salvation. The Church has made infallible dogmatic statements about the necessity of Baptism for Salvation. The Church made these infallible statements through various Councils. Also, Popes (speaking from the Chair of Peter or what we would call "ex cathedra") made infallible proclamations on this subject. In both cases, these statements are infallible dogmatic proclamations that, as Catholics, we must believe. Here are a few of them: A. Council of Florence, Decree for the Armenians: Holy Baptism holds the first place among all the sacraments because it is the gateway to the spiritual life.... And since death entered the universe through the first man. "unless we are reborn of water and the Spirit, we cannot" as the Truth says, "enter the kingdom of heaven" [John 3:5]. B. Council of Trent, Canons on Baptism (Canon 5): If anyone says that baptism is optional, that is, not necessary for salvation, let him be anathema. (Denz. 861) Also Trent: Canons on the Sacraments (Canon 4): If anyone says that the Sacraments of the New Law are not necessary for salvation, but that they are superfluous: let him be anathema. (Denz. 847). C. Benedict XIV (1740-58), Bull Nuper ad Nos (Solemn Profession of Faith Prescribed for Maronites; 1743): Likewise, I profess that Baptism is necessary for salvation. (Denz. 1470) D. Pope St. Zosimus, Apostolic Letter to the Oriental Churches (418): Not one of our children is held not guilty until he is freed through Baptism. (Denz. 109a) E. Council of Lyons E (1274) it was solemnly defined that: The souls of those who die in mortal sin or with original sin only, however, immediately descend to Hell, yet to be punished with different punishments (Denz. 464). F. Council of Florence, Decree for the Greeks (1439): It is likewise defined that ... the souls of those who depart in actual mortal sin or in original sin only, descend immediately into Hell but to undergo punishments of different kinds. (Denz. 693) Although not infallible, Vatican Council II said, "For there is one Mediator between God and men, ...Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:45) Neither is there salvation in any other" (Acts 4:12). Everyone, therefore must be converted to Christ, and everyone must become incorporated into Him by Baptism and into the Church which is His Body. In explicit terms Christ affirmed the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirms also the necessity of the Church; for through Baptism as though a door, men enter the Church. |
| BAPTISM OF BELLS |
BAPTISM OF BELLS - The rite for the blessing of a bell in the "Pontificale Romanum" is of so elaborate a character that popular usage has improperly given to it the name of "baptism.” It consists of the recitation of psalms, washing of the bell with holy water, anointing with Oil of the Sick and with Chrism, putting a smoking thurible inside it, and reading the gospel of Luke x, 38 - 42. It is also given a name and has "god parents.” |
| BAPTISM OF CHILDREN OF NON-CATHOLICS |
BAPTISM OF CHILDREN OF NON-CATHOLICS may be lawfully performed, even the parents object, provided the child is in danger of death and it can be prudently foreseen that it will die before attaining the use reason. Outside of this danger, children may be baptized if their Catholic upbringing be guaranteed, and then only with the consent of at least one of the parents or guardians, if any, unless they have forfeited or cannot exercise their rights over the child. |
| BAPTISM OF THE INSANE |
BAPTISM OF THE INSANE may be lawfully performed if such a desire has been expressed in a lucid interval, or in imminent danger of death if, before losing reason, a desire had been manifested. Those who have been insane from birth, or since before attaining the use of reason, may at any time be baptized as infants. |
| BAPTISM OF THE UNBORN |
BAPTISM OF THE UNBORN. If there is not a probable hope that a child can be baptized after birth, Baptism may be administered in the womb: in the case of a head presentation, on the head; in other presentations, on the part presented, but then it has to be again baptized conditionally if it is living on complete delivery. Should the mother die in labor, the child is to be extracted from the womb and, if certainly living, baptized absolutely; if life is doubtful, conditionally. An aborted foetus must also be baptized, unconditionally or conditionally according to circumstances. |
| BAPTISM, LAY |
BAPTISM, LAY. A lay person can baptize validly and in case of emergency (e.g., when unbaptized person is dying and no cleric can be obtained) is bound to do so. Anybody man, woman, child, Catholic, Protestant, Jew -- may do it, provided there is the intention to do what the Church does when baptizing, that the water is poured on the head of the person to be baptized, and that the requisite words-- "I baptize thee in the Name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost" -- are said at the same time. Though the sacrament is validly administered, it is gravely illicit for a lay person to baptize in other than cases of necessity. Midwives are required by canon law to know how to baptize case of necessity. |
| BAPTISMAL GARMENT |
BAPTISMAL GARMENT. The white robe, formerly worn by the newly baptized (cf., Dominica in Albis, Low Sunday). Its place is now taken by a linen cloth, laid on the child's head with the words, "Receive this white garment, which thou shalt carry stainless before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ that thou mayest have everlasting life.” This cloth was sometimes termed a chrismal, and the expression "chrisom child " for one newly baptized is still occasionally used. |
| BAPTISMAL NAME |
BAPTISMAL NAME - There is no obligation that the name given at Baptism should be that of a saint, but the Code of Canon Law requires that it be a Christian name, e.g., Stella (Maris). The "Rituale Romanum" directs the priest to see that obscene, mythical and ridiculous names or those of false gods or heathen heroes be not given. Such a name as Achilles, common in Italy (cf., Pope Pius XI, Achille Ratti) is presumably made respectable by the martyr of that name. Fancy names are condemned by good sense and Christian tradition rather than by the law. It is a common custom to receive the name of the saint on whose day one was born. |
| BAPTISMAL REGENERATION |
BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. One of the effects of Baptism is our birth to the supernatural order (q.v.): "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost" (John iii, 5). Baptismal regeneration means that owing to the removal of sin by the sacrament and the infusion of first grace, the subject who has begun to live to nature now begins to live supernaturally. St. Paul speaks of Baptism as "the laver of regeneration" (Titus iii, 5). |
| CALENDAR OF THE ROMAN CHURCH |
CALENDAR OF THE ROMAN CHURCH, THE GENERAL, is often referred to as ”of the Universal Church,” but in fact not used by Catholics of Eastern rites,nor by some religious orders. In accordance with its name it originated in the calendar of the local Roman church, and in sequence contains a large number of feasts of native Roman saints, particularly of early martyrs; but in the past 350 years it been greatly extended and altered and now merits the epithet, universal: 20 or more feasts are of saints whom we should now call of Eastern rite, and its most recent addition died only in the 20 Century. Since the 16th century this calendar is used in all diocese and congregations (except a few which have their own proper calendars) of the Western church, modified according to local requirements but in such a way that all the great feasts, of our Lord, our Lady, the principal saints and martyrs, etc., are celebrated on the same day. But a religious order with a large number of saints and beati will have a corresponding proportion of feasts peculiar to itself, e.g., the Dominicans have about 70 such in the course of the year; a new and radically reformed calendar was approved for the Benedictines in 1915. The archdiocese of Westminster has over 30 special feasts of saints, some of which are fairly general in England but all are nearly unknown elsewhere. The same variation takes place in the ranks of feasts; e.g., David (March 1) is of the highest rank in Wales, a double feast only in Birmingham, and not observed at all in Liverpool. Ireland and Scotland have both a number of local saints who do not appear in other calendars. When a church calendar is printed, as such, without explanation it is usually the general calendar of the Roman church, and to be of any practical use must be checked by and made to agree with the local ordo. |
| CALLISTUS, CALIXTUS I. ST., POPE |
CALLISTUS, CALIXTUS I. ST. Pope and whose feast is kept by the Western church, on Oct. 14. His pontificate lasted from 217 to 222. He was much vilified by certain heretical groups which he strongly opposed; their testimony about him in "Philosophumena" is quite unreliable. He mitigated in some respects the penitential discipline of his time, and after him is named the cemetery of San Callisto in Rome, of which at one time he had charge. His relics repose in the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. |
| CALUMNY |
CALUMNY is the deprivation of another of his good name by imputing to him, behind his back, something injurious to his reputation of which the speaker or writer knows he is innocent. It incurs an obligation of making restitution so far as possible (cf., Detraction). |
| CALVARY, MOUNT |
CALVARY, MOUNT - The hillock on the west side of Jerusalem upon which our Lord was crucified. It was about 15 feet high. Together with the Holy Sepulchre near by, it was buried with rubbish by the Emperor Hadrian and a grove or temple of Venus planted on the site. It had been brought within the circuit of the western wall of Jerusalem, as it still is, by King Agrippa I about A.D. 43. In 325 the Empress St. Helen had the sites uncovered. Constantine built a basilica and other buildings, Calvary being made to look tidy by being cut perpendicularly so as to make a cube with a flat top, 18 by 15 feet, and surrounded by porticos. In the 5th century a chapel was built on it. After other vicissitudes the diminished hill was included actually under the roof of the Crusaders' church of the Resurrection, and so it remains to this day. It is completely disguised by buildings and is apparently simply a chapel approached by steep stairs. Only about a quarter of the chapel actually rests on the hill of Calvary, the remainder being built up artificially. It contains three altars, two for the use of Catholics and one for the Orthodox, and an amazing bust of our Lady of Sorrows. |
| Catholic Church |
The "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church" founded by Jesus Christ where one can find the fullness of the means of salvation. |
| Indefectibility |
Indefectibility - The quality of unfailingnesss in the Church, her constitution and ministration promised, by Jesus Christ in the words "Behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world" (Matthew 28, 20). Her indefectibility is seen externally by her triumph of the most terrible trials and dangers and her abounding life and health after 2000 years of history. Internally, it has preserved her supernatural life and channels of grace through all the dangerous possibilities arising from human indifference, carelessness and ill will. The special providence of God is technically called and “assistentia.” We are aware of it both by faith and the sight, but the manner in which it works is a matter of speculation. Christ's Church will last until the end of the world and her mission is to bring the knowledge and fruits of redemption to all men. However, not all will be saved. Men must enter the Church and be subject to the Pope in order for redemption to be effective to salvation. Christ is with his Church, which is his mystical body, and her authority will continue until the end of the world. The Holy Ghost will guide and keep her in truth against the attempts of Satan, indifferentism, ill willed men and direct attacks on the Church. The Church's authority, handed down through the ages by a succession of apostles and bishops will last for all time. Saint Peter, the first Pope, and his successors have and will guide the church and resist the storms and attacks of the world. Christ promised that the The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church could never fail. Believe it! |