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506 • Conclusion and Appendices
-C-
CANONIZATION:
The name
for the solemn declaration by the
pope that a deceased member of
the faithful may be proposed as
a model and intercessor to the
Christian faithful and venerated
as a saint, on the basis of the fact
that the person lived a life of heroic
virtue or remained faithful to God
through martyrdom.
CAPITAL SINS:
Those seven sins,
sometimes called “deadly,” that
can lead us into more serious sin.
The Capital Sins are lust, avarice
(greed), envy, pride, sloth, gluttony,
and anger.
CATECHESIS:
The act of hand-
ing on the Word of God intended
to inform the faith community
and candidates for initiation into
the Church about the teachings of
Christ, transmitted by the Apostles
to the Church. It also involves the
lifelong effort of forming people
into witnesses to Christ and open-
ing their hearts to the spiritual
transformation given by the
Holy Spirit.
CATECHISM:
The name given
to a written work that contains
a summary of all the beliefs of
the faith and is used for
catechetical instruction.
CATECHUMEN:
An unbaptized
candidate for the Sacraments
of Initiation.
CATECHUMENATE:
An extended
period of preparation for the
Sacraments of Initiation incorporat-
ing ritual, prayer, instruction, and
spiritual and moral support by the
parish community.
CHARITY (LOVE):
The
Theological Virtue by which we
give love to God for his own
sake and love to our neighbor on
account of God.
CHASTITY:
Connected to purity
of heart, this is a virtue that moves
us to love others with generous
regards for them. It excludes lust
and any wish to exploit them sexu-
ally. It helps us see and put into
practice God’s plan for the body,
person, and sexuality. All people are
called to pursue and live the virtue
of chastity according to one’s state
in life.
CHRISM:
Perfumed oil consecrated
by a bishop at the annual Mass of
the Chrism during Holy Week; it
is used in those Sacraments which
confer a permanent mark or charac-
ter—Baptism, Confirmation, and
Holy Orders.