Glossary
Converts drown in vocabulary. These are working definitions — what a term means, what it does not, and how you actually meet it in Catholic life. 47 entries and growing.
Doctrine
- Acedia
Spiritual listlessness or disgust with the good of prayer — not mere laziness; classically linked to the noonday demon of Psalm 90/91.
- Indulgence
A remission before God of temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven, granted by the Church from the treasury of merits.
- Latria, Dulia, and Hyperdulia
Classical terms: latria is worship of God alone; dulia is veneration of saints; hyperdulia is the unique veneration due to Mary.
- Plenary vs. Partial Indulgence
A plenary indulgence remits all temporal punishment; a partial remits part. Both require the Church's grant and the proper dispositions.
- Private Revelation
Revelations given to individuals after the close of public revelation—never equal to Scripture or dogma, even when Church-approved.
- Sacrament vs. Sacramental
Sacraments are seven signs instituted by Christ that confer grace; sacramentals are Church-instituted signs that dispose the soul for grace.
- Veneration vs. Worship
Worship (latria) is due to God alone; veneration (dulia) honors saints and angels. Confusing them is the charge—and the Catholic answer is distinction.