OO Antiphons: The 7 “greater antiphons” before the Magnificat from 17 to 23 of December Oath: Calling upon God to witness the truth of a statement. Violating an oath, e.g., by perjury in court, or taking an oath without sufficient reason, is a violation of the honor due to God. Obedience: Submission to one in authority. General obligations of obedience fall under the Fourth Commandment. The vow of obedience professed by religious is one of the evangelical counsels. Obediential potency: The capacity of our nature to be elevated by grace to a superior level of activity, e.g. we can become "children of God", the intellect becomes capable of beatific vision, the will loves God, etc Obsession, Diabolical: The extraordinary state of one who is seriously molested by evil spirits in an external manner. Obsession is more than just temptation. Occasion of Sin: A person, place, or thing that is a temptation to sin. An occasion may be either a situation that always leads to sin or one that usually leads to sin. Occasionalism: Theory that denies real causality of creatures; God is the only cause, creatures are only “occasions” for God’s actions. This ideas are found in some Muslims, in N. Malebranche and in some denying real causality of the sacraments. Occurrence: Two festivals falling on the same day. Octave: A period of eight days given over to the celebration of a major feast such as Easter. Offertory: The action of bringing and presenting the oblations at the altar. Office: Official function or authority in the Church. In liturgy, the cycle of daily prayer, also called Divine Office, Canonical Hours, Liturgy of the Hours; a form of worship. Offices of Christ: artificial division of the various functions of Jesus: kingly, priestly and prophetic offices. Oils, Holy: The oils blessed by a bishop at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday or another suitable day, or by a priest under certain conditions. (1) The oil of catechumens (olive or vegetable oil), used at baptism; also, poured with chrism into the baptismal water blessed in Easter Vigil ceremonies. (2) Oil of the sick (olive or vegetable oil) used in anointing the sick. (3) Chrism (olive or vegetable oil mixed with balm), which is ordinarily consecrated by a bishop, for use at baptism, in confirmation, at the ordination of a priest and bishop, in the dedication of churches and altars.. Old Testament: Inspired books common to Jews and Christians. The Jews divide it into: a) The Law (Pentateuch), b) Prophets (most of the historical books and the prophets, except Daniel), c) Writings (Psalms, Daniel, etc). Catholic canon has 45 books (or 46 if Baruch Letter is separated from Jr.). Omega Point: Final goal (cf Rev 1:8) of all evolutionary processes in the universe, as conceived by P. Teilhard de Chardin, SJ († 1955). Ontogeny (also ontogenesis or morphogenesis) describes the origin and the development of an organism from the fertilized egg to its mature form. Ontologism: A philosophical theory (the name is taken from the Greek for being and study) that posits that knowledge of God is immediate and intuitive; it stipulates further that all other human knowledge is dependent upon this. It was condemned in 1861 by Pope Pius IX. (See also Ontology.) Ontology: A branch of metaphysics that studies the nature and relations of existence. Opus: Latin for "work", Opus Dei= 1) Divine Office, 2) Catholic religious organization, founded in Spain in 1928 by saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás. Opus operatum: the sacramental action rightly performed. Opus operantis: the dispositions of the recipient of a sacrament. Oratory: A chapel. Ordeals or God's judgment, were a means of obtaining evidence by trials, through which, by the direct interposition of God, the guilt or innocence of an accused person was firmly established, in the event that the truth could not be proved by ordinary means Orders: Sacrament of Holy Orders: the imposition of a bishop's hands confers on a man the grace and spiritual power to celebrate the Church's sacraments.There are three forms of this sacrament: diaconate (deacon), presbyterate (priest) and episcopate (bishop). Ordinal: Book containing the service of ordination, or the services requiring the leadership of a bishop. Ordinariate: An ecclesiastical jurisdiction for special purposes and people. Examples are military ordinariates for armed services personnel (in accord with provisions of the apostolic constitution Spirituali militum curae, Apr. 21, 1986) and Eastern-Rite ordinariates in places where Eastern-Rite dioceses do not exist. Ordinary: The bishop is “local ordinary”, and the vicar general and Episcopal vicar also exercise normal jurisdiction (c. 134; 368). In clerical Institutes, the major superior is the ordinary. Ordination: The consecration of sacred ministers for divine worship and the service of people in things pertaining to God. The power of ordination comes from Christ and the Church, and must be conferred by a minister capable of communicating it. Organ Transplants: The transplanting of organs from one person to another is permissible provided it is done with the consent of the concerned parties and does not result in the death or essential mutilation of the donor. Advances in methods and technology have increased the range of transplant possibilities in recent years. Oriental Orthodox: Modern name of the eastern churches that rejected the council of Chalcedon (451). Original Sin: The sin of Adam (Gn. 2:8-3:24), personal to him and passed on to all persons as a state of privation of grace. Despite this privation and the related wounding of human nature and weakening of natural powers, original sin leaves unchanged all that man himself is by nature. The scriptural basis of the doctrine was stated especially by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 15:21ff., and Rom. 5:12-21. Original sin is remitted by baptism and incorporation in Christ, through whom grace is given to persons. Pope John Paul, while describing original sin during a general audience Oct. 1, 1986, called it “the absence of sanctifying grace in nature which has been diverted from its supernatural end.” Orthodoxy: “Right belief” officially recognized by the church as truly based on divine revelation. The name is applied to the eastern churches recognizing the first seven ecumenical councils and are separated from Rome. Orthogenesis, orthogenetic evolution or autogenesis, is the hypothesis that life has an innate tendency to move in a unilinear fashion due to some internal or external "driving force". The hypothesis is based on essentialism, finalism and cosmic teleology and proposes an intrinsic drive which slowly transforms species Orthopraxis: “Right conduct” that does the truth of the gospel (cf Jn 3:21), to become authentic disciple and to change society; it is emphasized by Liberation Theology. O Salutaris Hostia: The first three Latin words, O Saving Victim, of a Benediction hymn. Ostpolitik: Policy adopted by Pope Paul VI in an attempt to improve the situation of Eastern European Catholics through diplomatic negotiations with their governments. Oxford Movement: A movement in the Church of England from 1833 to about 1845 which had for its objective a threefold defense of the Church as a divine institution, the apostolic succession of its bishops, and the Book of Common Prayer as the rule of faith. The movement took its name from Oxford University and involved a number of intellectuals who authored a series of influential Tracts for Our Times. Some of its leading figures — e.g., F. W. Faber, John Henry Newman and Henry Edward Manning — became converts to the Catholic Church. In the Church of England, the movement affected the liturgy, historical and theological scholarship, the status of the ministry, and other areas of ecclesiastical life. PP: the "Priester" or "priestly" "document", which is supposed to be a source of the Pentateuch. Pace: With the permission of; with deference to. Used to express polite or ironically polite disagreement Paedobaptism: Baptism of infants. Paganism: A term referring to non-revealed religions, i.e., religions other than Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Pall: A stiffened piece of cloth covering the chalice during the mass. Funeral Pall: a large cloth covering the coffin. Pallium: A circular band of white wool adorned with six violet crosses and supporting two strips. It is worn by the pope and archbishops in liturgical celebrations. In the eastern churches bishops wear the omophorion. Palms: Blessed palms are a sacramental. They are blessed and distributed on the Sunday of the Passion in commemoration of the triumphant entrance of Christ into Jerusalem. Ashes of the burnt palms are used on Ash Wednesday. Panagia: The totally holy, a Greek title of Our Lady. Pange Lingua: First Latin words, Sing, my tongue, of a hymn in honor of the Holy Eucharist, used particularly on Holy Thursday and in Eucharistic processions. Panentheism (Greek words: pan=all, en=in and Theos=God; "all-in-God") is the view that God is immanent within all Creation or that God is the animating force behind the universe. God maintains a transcendent character, and is viewed as both the creator and the original source of universal morality. Pantheism: Theory that all things are part of God, divine, in the sense that God realizes himself as the ultimate reality of matter or spirit through being and/or becoming all things that have been, are, and will be. The theory leads to hopeless confusion of the Creator and the created realm of being, identifies evil with good, and involves many inherent contradictions. Pantocrator: “Ruler of all”, a majestic representation of Christ, usually covering the apse of a church. Papal Election: The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals during a secret conclave which begins no sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the death of his predecessor. Cardinals under the age of 80, totaling no more than 120, are eligible to take part in the election by secret ballot. Election is by a two-thirds vote of participating cardinals. New legislation regarding papal elections and church government during a vacancy of the Holy See was promulgated by Pope John Paul Feb. 23, 1996, in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis (“Shepherd of the Lord’s Whole Flock”). Parable: A short story based on a familiar experience that teaches a spiritual lesson. Jesus often taught in parables. Mt 13:10 Paraclete: A title of the Holy Spirit meaning, in Greek, Advocate, Consoler. Paradigm: It means now a thought pattern in any scientific discipline or other epistemological context; it refers to the set of practices that define a scientific discipline during a particular period of time. Parental Duties: All duties related to the obligation of parents to provide for the welfare of their children. These obligations fall under the Fourth Commandment. Parish: A community of the faithful served by a pastor charged with responsibility for providing them with full pastoral service. Most parishes are territorial, embracing all of the faithful in a certain area of a diocese: some are personal or national, for certain classes of people, without strict regard for their places of residence. Parish Council: The parish council is an advisory group that shares their ideas and concerns regarding parish community, pastoral planning, administrative services or other matters brought to their attention by the pastors or the parish community. Some members are elected, some are appointed. Parousia: The coming, or saving presence, of Christ which will mark the completion of salvation history and the coming to perfection of God’s kingdom at the end of the world. Particular Church: A term used since Vatican II that denotes certain divisions of the Universal Church. Examples include dioceses, vicariates, and prelatures. Pasch: Pesach is the Hebrew word for Passover. Pasch is the Christian spelling. Pesach is the Jewish feast celebrated annually at God's command to commemorate the Israelite exodus from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan Paschal Candle: A large candle, symbolic of the risen Christ, blessed and lighted on the Easter Vigil and placed at the altar until Pentecost. It is ornamented with five large grains of incense, representing the wounds of Christ, inserted in the form of a cross; the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, symbolizing Christ the beginning and end of all things, at the top and bottom of the shaft of the cross; and the figures of the current year of salvation in the quadrants formed by the cross. Paschal Mystery: The redemption Christ effected mainly through his death and resurrection (SC 5; GS 22). Paschal Precept: Church law requiring reception of the Eucharist in the Easter season (see separate entry) unless, for a just cause, once-a-year reception takes place at another time. Passion of Christ: Sufferings of Christ, recorded in the four Gospels. Pastor: An ordained minister charged with responsibility for the doctrinal, sacramental and related service of people committed to his care; e.g., a bishop for the people in his diocese, a priest for the people of his parish. Pastoral Council: A diocesan Council made out of clerics and laity, to advise the bishop on pastoral matters. See canons 511-514. Pastoral Office: Ministry of clergy as pastors serving the people. The term is also applied to those the bishop appoints to particular ministries, like education, welfare, etc. Pater Noster: The initial Latin words, Our Father, of the Lord’s Prayer. Patriarch: “Ruling Father”, In the OT, the forefathers of Israel. In the ancient church, title of the bishops of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem, later on Constantinople. They had jurisdiction over a territory. Patristics: Study of the theology of the Fathers of the Church. Patrology: Study of the Fathers of the Church, their history and literature. Pauline Privilege: The Catholic Church can dissolve a marriage bond, allowing the Catholic party to re-marry, if: a) Both persons were not baptized at the time of their wedding. Marriage originally not sacramental. b) One party has been baptized, but the other remains unbaptized. Marriage remains not sacramental. c) The unbaptized person departs physically by divorce or desertion, or morally by making married life unbearable for the baptized person. Just cause for the dissolution. d) The unbaptized person refuses to be baptized or to live peacefully with the baptized person. Unbaptized person is asked. Civil divorce has been granted by the state. Church cannot be responsible for the separation. Peace, Sign of: A gesture of greeting — e.g., a handshake —exchanged by the ministers and participants at Mass. Pectoral Cross: A cross worn on a chain about the neck and over the breast by bishops and abbots as a mark of their office. Pelagianism is a belief that original sin did not taint human nature (which, being created from God, was divine), and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without Divine aid. Jesus is nor redeemer, but only a good example. Penance or Penitence: (1) The spiritual change or conversion of mind and heart by which a person turns away from sin, and all that it implies, toward God, through a personal renewal under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Penance involves sorrow and contrition for sin, together with other internal and external acts of atonement. It serves the purposes of reestablishing in one’s life the order of God’s love and commandments, and of making satisfaction to God for sin. (2) Penance is a virtue disposing a person to turn to God in sorrow for sin and to carry out works of amendment and atonement. (3) The sacrament of penance and sacramental penance. People of God: A name for the Church in the sense that it is comprised by a people with Christ as its head, the Holy Spirit as the condition of its unity, the law of love as its rule, and the kingdom of God as its destiny. Although it is a scriptural term, it was given new emphasis by the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium). Pericope: A portion of the Bible, to be read in the Liturgy. A biblical paragraph. Perjury: Taking a false oath, lying under oath, a violation of the honor due to God. Persecution, Religious: A campaign waged against a church or other religious body by persons and governments intent on its destruction. The best known campaigns of this type against the Christian Church were the Roman persecutions which occurred intermittently from about 54 to the promulgation of the Edict of Milan in 313. More Catholics have been persecuted in the 20th century than in any other period in history. Personal Prelature: A special-purpose jurisdiction — for particular pastoral and missionary work, etc. — consisting of secular priests and deacons and open to lay persons willing to dedicate themselves to its apostolic works. The prelate in charge is an Ordinary, with the authority of office; he can establish a national or international seminary, incardinate its students and promote them to holy orders under the title of service to the prelature. The prelature is constituted and governed according to statutes laid down by the Holy See. Statutes define its relationship and mode of operation with the bishops of territories in which members live and work. Opus Dei is a personal prelature. Peter’s Pence: A collection made each year among Catholics for the maintenance of the pope and his works of charity. It was originally a tax of a penny on each house, and was collected on St. Peter’s day, whence the name. It originated in England in the 8th century. Petition: One of the four purposes of prayer. In prayers of petition, persons ask of God the blessings they and others need. Petrine Ministry: Service of the bishop of Rome, successor of Peter, for faith, life and unity in the church. Petrine privilege: also called "Favor of Faith", Special power of the Pope in matrimonial dissolution, when one of the spouses is not baptized, canon 1140. Pharisees: Influential class among the Jews, referred to in the Gospels, noted for their self-righteousness, legalism, strict interpretation of the Law, acceptance of the traditions of the elders as well as the Law of Moses, and beliefs regarding angels and spirits, the resurrection of the dead and judgment. Most of them were laymen, and they were closely allied with the Scribes; their opposite numbers were the Sadducees. The Pharisaic and rabbinical traditions had a lasting influence on Judaism following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Pious Fund: Property and money originally accumulated by the Jesuits to finance their missionary work in Lower California. When the Jesuits were expelled from the territory in 1767, the fund was appropriated by the Spanish Crown and used to support Dominican and Franciscan missionary work in Upper and Lower California.
Placet: 1. A vote of
assent, as of the governing body of a university, of an ecclesiastical
council, etc. Pluralism: Situation of variety of rites, theologies, cultures, religions, etc. It enriches, but it can cause divisions and relativism. Pneumatology: “Study of the Spirit”, the branch of theology that studies the Holy Spirit. Polygenism: “Many origins”, the view that the human race from many original pairs, not from one couple. Polytheism: Belief in and worship of many gods or divinities, especially prevalent in pre-Christian religions. Pontifical: Pertaining to a bishop. Book containing the ceremonies used by a bishop. Pertaining to the Pope. Poor Box: Alms-box; found in churches from the earliest days of Christianity. Poor Clares: Second Order of St. Francis of contemplative women Pope: A title from the Italian word papa (from Greek pappas, father) used for the Bishop of Rome, the Vicar of Christ and successor of St. Peter, who exercises universal governance over the Church. Portiuncula: (1) Meaning little portion (of land), the Portiuncula was the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels near Assisi, Italy, the first church of the Franciscan Order. (2) The plenary Portiuncula Indulgence, or Pardon of Assisi, was authorized by Honorius III. Originally, it could be gained for the souls in purgatory only in the chapel of Our Lady of the Angels; by later concessions, it could be gained also in other Franciscan and parish churches. Positivism: The philosophy that teaches that the only reality is that which is perceived by the senses; the only truth is that which is empirically verified. It asserts that ideas about God, morality, or anything else that cannot be scientifically tested are to be rejected as unknowable. Possession, Diabolical: The extraordinary state of a person who is tormented from within by evil spirits who exercise strong influence over his powers of mind and body. (See also Exorcism.) Postlapsarian; occurring or being after the Fall. Postulant: One of several names used to designate a candidate for membership in a religious institute during the period before novitiate. Poverty: (1) The quality or state of being poor, in actual destitution and need, or being poor in spirit. (2) One of the evangelical counsels professed as a public vow by members of an institute of consecrated life. Praeambula fidei: see “preambles of faith” Pragmatism: Theory that the truth of ideas, concepts and values depends on their utility or capacity to serve a useful purpose rather than on their conformity with objective standards; also called utilitarianism. Prayer: The raising of the mind and heart to God in adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and petition. Prayer, which is always mental because it involves thought and love of God, may be vocal, meditative, private and personal, social, and official. The official prayer of the Church as a worshipping community is called the liturgy. Preambles of Faith: The presuppositions of Christian faith that can be made explicit to show how the act of faith is a reasonable human act, such as God’s existence, Jesus’ human reality, man’s openness to freedom, etc (cf DS 3008-3014). Precepts: Commands or orders given to individuals or communities in particular cases; they establish law for concerned parties. Preceptive documents are issued by the pope, departments of the Roman Curia and other competent authority in the Church. Predestinarianism: is set up in contrast to human free will. The idea is that if people could do anything other than what God foreordained them to do it would violate the sovereignity of God. It is a heresy not unfrequently met with in the course of the centuries which reduces the eternal salvation of the elect as well as the eternal damnation of the reprobate to one cause alone, namely to the sovereign will of God, and thereby excludes the free co-operation of man as a secondary factor in bringing about a happy or unhappy future in the life to come. Preexistence: The belief that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, existing before He became flesh (Jn 1:14). Preface: Prayer introducing the canon in the Latin Mass, indicating the reasons to give thanks and praise to God. Presbyter: A priest. In other Churches, an Elder. Presbyteral Council: A body of priests who are to be like a senate of the bishop in the governance of the diocese (c.495). Presence of God: A devotional practice of increasing one’s awareness of the presence and action of God in daily life. Presumption: A sin against hope, by which a person striving for salvation (1) either relies too much on his own capabilities or (2) expects God to do things which he cannot do, in keeping with his divine attributes, or does not will to do, according to his divine plan. Presumption is the opposite of despair. Preternatural Gifts: Exceptional gifts, beyond the exigencies and powers of human nature, enjoyed by Adam in the state of original justice: immunity from suffering and death, superior knowledge, integrity or perfect control of the passions. These gifts were lost as the result of original sin; their loss, however, implied no impairment of the integrity of human nature. Pride: Unreasonable self-esteem; one of the seven capital sins. Prie-Dieu: A French phrase, meaning pray God, designating a kneeler or bench suitable for kneeling while at prayer. Priesthood: (1) The common priesthood of the non-ordained faithful. In virtue of baptism and confirmation, the faithful are a priestly people who participate in the priesthood of Christ through acts of worship, witness to the faith in daily life, and efforts to foster the growth of God’s kingdom. (2) The ordained priesthood, in virtue of the sacrament of orders, of bishops, priests and deacons, for service to the common priesthood. Primacy: The office of the Primate, the “first” bishop. Primacy of honor, means presiding over synods, but with no authority (like the bishop of Canterbury in Anglicanism). Primacy of jurisdiction means real authority, like the bishop of Rome. Primary Option: Also called “fundamental option”: the life-choice of a person for or against God which shapes the basic orientation of moral conduct. A primary option for God does not preclude the possibility of serious sin. Primate: The highest bishop in a country. Prior: A superior or an assistant to an abbot in a monastery. Privilege: A favor, an exemption from the obligation of a law. Privileges of various kinds, with respect to ecclesiastical laws, are granted by the pope, departments of the Roman Curia and other competent authority in the Church. Probabiliorism: The moral system asserting that the more probable opinion of a varied set of acceptable positions regarding the binding character of a law should be accepted. If the reasons for being free from a law are more probably true, one is freed from the law’s obligations. Probabiliorism, however, maintained that if it was probable that the law did not bind, one still had to follow it unless it was more probable that the law did not bind. Probabilism: A moral system for use in cases of conscience which involve the obligation of doubtful laws. There is a general principle that a doubtful law does not bind. Probabilism, therefore, teaches that it is permissible to follow an opinion favoring liberty, provided the opinion is certainly and solidly probable. Probabilism may not be invoked when there is question of: a certain law or the certain obligation of a law; the certain right of another party; the validity of an action; something which is necessary for salvation. Pro-Cathedral: Church temporarily used as a cathedral. Processions: Theological term indicating the way the Second and Third Persons in the Trinity originate from the Father. The Son’s is called “generation” or “filiation”; the Spirit’s is “spiration” (DS 150, 804). Prolepsis: “Anticipation” as Christ’s resurrection “anticipates” the end of history (1Cr 15:20,28), or the sacraments “anticipate” eternal life (Jn 6:54). Promoter of the Faith (Promotor fidei): An official of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, whose role in beatification and canonization procedures is to establish beyond reasonable doubt the validity of evidence regarding the holiness of prospective saints and miracles attributed to their intercession. Prophecy: (1) The communication of divine revelation by inspired intermediaries, called prophets, between God and his people. Although Moses and other earlier figures are called prophets, the period of prophecy is generally dated from the early years of the monarchy to about 100 years after the Babylonian Exile. Old Testament prophets are cited in the New Testament, with awareness that God spoke through them and that some of their oracles were fulfilled in Christ. John the Baptist is the outstanding prophetic figure in the New Testament. Christ never claimed the title of prophet for himself, although some people thought he was one. There were prophets in the early Church, and St. Paul mentioned the charism of prophecy in 1 Cor. 14:1-5. Prophecy disappeared after New Testament times. Revelation is classified as the prophetic book of the New Testament. (2) In contemporary non-scriptural usage, the term is applied to the witness given by persons to the relevance of their beliefs in everyday life and action. Propitiation: An explanation of redemption in terms of God’s anger being appeased through Christ’s sacrificial death (cf R 3:25, Gal 3:13). Proportionalism: The moral theory that asserts that an action is judged on whether the evils resulting are proportionate to the goods that result. If the evils outweigh the goods, the act is objectionable; if the opposite is true, the act is permissible. Proportionalism differs from consequentialism in that the former admits that the inherent morality of the act and the agent’s intention must also be considered. Proportionalism is rejected by critics as it does not offer an objective criterion for determining when evils are proportionate or disproportionate. It also fails to consider the intrinsic nature of human acts and does nothing to assist Christians to grow in virtue. Protocanonical: Books of the Bible accepted in the canon without dispute. Protoevangelium is the first gospel. It is the first good news. It is found in Genesis 3:15 when God first tells us that he is going to send a Savior. Protoevangelium of James: an apocryphal gospel Protology: the study of origins and first things; "To Christians, protology refers to God's fundamental purpose for humanity" Province: (1) A territory comprising one archdiocese called the metropolitan see and one or more dioceses called suffragan sees. The head of the archdiocese, an archbishop, has metropolitan rights and responsibilities over the province. (2) A division of a religious order under the jurisdiction of a provincial superior. Prudence: Practical wisdom and judgment regarding the choice and use of the best ways and means of doing good; one of the four cardinal virtues. Pseudepigrapha: “false title” Books attributed to someone to given them authority, like Gospel of Peter, Assumption of Moses”... The term is mostly used by Protestants, Catholics call them “apocrypha” Punishment due for Sin: The punishment which is a consequence of sin. It is of two kinds: (1) Eternal punishment is the punishment of hell, to which one becomes subject by the commission of mortal sin. Such punishment is remitted when mortal sin is forgiven. (2) Temporal punishment is a consequence of venial sin and/or forgiven mortal sin; it is not everlasting and may be remitted in this life by means of penance. Temporal punishment unremitted during this life is remitted by suffering in purgatory. Purgatory: The state or condition of those who have died in the state of grace but with some attachment to sin, and are purified for a time before they are admitted to the glory and happiness of heaven. In this state and period of passive suffering, they are purified of unrepented venial sins, satisfy the demands of divine justice for temporal punishment due for sins, and are thus converted to a state of worthiness of the beatific vision. QQ (German “Quelle”, source): Hypothetical lost document with sayings or logia of Jesus, which would explain the similarities between Mt and Lk. Quadragesima: From the Latin for fortieth, the name given to the forty penitential days of Lent. Quinquennial Report: A report on the current state of a diocese that must be compiled and submitted by a bishop to the Holy See every five years in anticipation of the ad liminal visit. Quinque Viae: From the Latin for the “five ways,” the five proofs for the existence of God that were proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologiae (Part I, question 2, article 3). The five ways are: 1) all the motion in the world points to an unmoved Prime Mover; 2) the subordinate agents in the world imply the First Agent; 3) there must be a Cause Who is not perishable and Whose existence is underived; 4) the limited goodness in the world must be a reflection of Unlimited Goodness; 5) all things tend to become something, and that inclination must have proceeded from some Rational Planner.
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