Glossary Definitions H - M

Hadith

Are the record of the words, actions, and the silent approval, of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Traditional Islamic schools of jurisprudence use hadith as important tools for understanding the Qur’an and in matters of legal theory.

Heresy

An opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted teaching, especially in relation to church and other religious contexts. A proponent of such claims or beliefs is called a heretic.

In certain historical Christian, Islamic and Jewish cultures, among others, espousing heresy has been and in some cases still is subjected not merely to punishments such as excommunication, but even the death penalty.

Homoousios

A technical, theological term used in the Christian understanding of God as Trinity. The word is derived from two Greek words ‘homos’, same and ‘ousia’, being. The Nicene Creed (see the entry in this glossary) describes Jesus as being ‘homoousios’ with the Father (“… one in being with the Father …”). That is, they are of the “same substance” or and are equally God.

Incarnation

The name given to the Christian doctrine that the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is both human and divine.

Kingdom

The terms ‘Kingdom of God’ and the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ are key elements in the teaching of Jesus as recorded in the New Testament. The term is commonly understood as referring to both the hope for a transformed world characterised by self-giving love, justice, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation and the reality of that world already present, albeit imperfectly, in the present reality.

Marcellin Champagnat

Marcellin Joseph Benedict Champagnat (1789-1840) was born in the village of Marhles, near St Etienne, Loire, France. He was the founder of the Marist Brothers, a religious congregation devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and dedicated to education. Marcellin was the ninth of ten children of Jean Baptiste and Marie Therese Chirat Champagnat. Marcellin’s father had an important position in local politics who passed on many practical skills to his son. Marcellin’s childhood years were lived out against the background of the French Revolution of 1789 and the terror, religious persecution and militant secularising excesses consequent upon the French Revolution. After a very brief and unhappy experience at school Marcellin by the age of eleven decided that farm work was preferable to the world of books. In his early teens a visiting priest suggested that Marcellin might like to train for the priesthood and from this time Marcellin set out to get an education that would make study for the priesthood possible. In spite of the assistance of educated family contacts Marcellin found study extremely difficult, particularly in the early years. In 1805 Marcellin went to the minor seminary at Verrieres en Forez, paying his fees from money he had made raising sheep. He then attended the major seminary in Lyon and through hard work was finally ordained a priest. A group of young priests dedicated themselves to Mary, naming themselves as ‘The Society of Mary, the day after their ordination on 22 July 1816, at the church of Our Lady of Fouvieres in Lyons. From the start Marcellin had the idea that the ‘Society of Mary’ should include Teaching Brothers. Marcellin was appointed pastor at La Valla. On 2 January, 1817 two young men joined him in founding the nucleus of the Marist Brothers and others followed soon after. In 1818 Marcellin opened the first Marist school. Other schools and Marist Brothers Communities followed. By the time of Marcellin’s death on 6 June, 1840 there were 278 Marist Brothers and 48 Marist schools in France and Oceania (South Pacific). St Marcellin Joseph Benedict Champagnat was canonised by Pope john Paul II on April 18, 1999 and his feast day is observed on June 6.

Messiah

Used by the Jewish people to refer to the person who would come to liberate them from oppression. Christians regard Jesus Christ as the Messiah having fulfilled - from a Christian point of view - the expectations of the People of Israel.

Ministries

The service, functions, or offices of those who are officially authorised by Church authority to work or minister in a particular area of the mission of the Church. Christian ministry is based on the ministry of Jesus Christ. Catholic Christians make a distinction between the ordained ministry of those who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the ministry of other baptised Christians who may be formally commissioned to minister in the name of the Church or may exercise an informal ministry of Christian service to others.

Miracle

An effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that is seen to surpass all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause and often seen as a sign of divine power.

Mitzvoth

Used in Judaism to refer to the 613 commandments given in the Torah at Mount Sinai. To these are added the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later bringing the total to 620.

Monotheism

The doctrine or belief that there is only one God.