Glossary Definitions C - D

Catechesis

Basic religious education of Christian children and adults seeking to join a particular Christian Church, for example, the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II in the Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae states:

“Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view of initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life.” (18)

Catechism

A summary or exposition of Christian doctrine. Catechisms were traditionally used in catechesis (see the entry in this glossary) or religious teaching of children and adults seeking admission to the Christian community. Catechisms are manuals of Christian teachings or doctrines, often in the form of questions followed by answers.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church was promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1992. It sums up, in book form, the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Further information

Catherine McAuley

Catherine Elizabeth McAuley (29 September 1778 – 11 November 1841) was born in Dublin, Ireland to James and Elinor Conway McAuley. In 1822 Catherine inherited a considerable fortune and used it to build a house where she and other compassionate women took in homeless women and children and provided them with care and education for. In 1831 Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine lived ten years as a Sister of Mercy under the name Sister Mary Catherine but in that short time established twelve foundations in Ireland and two in England. At the time of her death there were 150 Sisters of Mercy. Shortly after Catherine’s death small groups of Sisters of Mercy left Ireland to establish new foundations in the United States, in Newfoundland, Australia and Argentina and are associated with education, healthcare, social welfare and other good works. In 1990 Pope John Paul II officially recognised Catherine McAuley’s heroic virtues and declared her Venerable thus placing her on the path towards possible sainthood in the Catholic Church.

Common Era (CE)

One of the notation systems for the world's most widely used calendar era – its dating is equivalent to the era referred to as AD (Anno Domini, "the year of the Lord").

The era preceding CE is known as Before the Common Era (BCE) and is equivalent to the era referred to as BC (Before Christ).

Proponents of the Common Era notation assert that the use of BCE/CE shows sensitivity to those who use the same year numbering system as the one that originated with and is currently used by Christians, but who are not themselves Christian.

The terminology is increasingly being used in the academic fields of Theology, Education and History as well as in major museums around the world.

Concordance

An alphabetical index of the principal words in the biblical text with a reference to the passage or passages in which each occurs.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Charitable actions by which Catholic Christians are called to come to the aid of the neighbour in bodily necessities e.g. feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked.

Covenant

The agreement between God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept God’s Law and were faithful to God.

Crucifixion

The suffering and death of Jesus upon the Cross on the hill of Calvary just outside Jerusalem. A common form of torture and execution used by the Roman Empire.

Decalogue

Derived from the Latin, meaning ‘ten words’. Decalogue refers to the Ten Commandments which the Old Testament narrative describes as having been handed to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Disciples

Used in a Christian context to refer both to those who followed and supported Jesus during his life on earth and to those Christians who continue to follow Jesus Christ in historical and contemporary contexts since his death.

Divine

Used to describe that which relates to God or to religious matters associated with God. (also Divinity)

Divine praises

Informally known as ‘Blessed be God’, is an 18th century Roman Catholic prayer. It is traditionally recited during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Further information

Doctrine

Something that is taught by a particular Christian Church or other religious group. The word can also refer to a particular body or system of teachings as in the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

Doxology

A form of words designed to bestow praise on God (from the Greek ‘doxa,’ meaning ‘glory’). In the Mass, a Doxology concludes the Eucharistic Prayer (Through him, with him and in him…) to which the congregation responds with the Great Amen.