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Research The Catechism
Section E
EASTER: The greatest and oldest Christian
feast, which celebrates Christ's Resurrection from the dead. Easter is the
"feast of feasts," the solemnity of solemnities, the "Great Sunday." Christians
prepare for it during Lent and Holy Week, and catechumens usually receive the
Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the
Easter Vigil (1169; cf. 647).
EASTERN CHURCHES: Churches of the East in
union with Rome (the Western Church), but not of Roman rite, with their own
liturgical, theological, and administrative traditions, such as those of the
Byzantine, Alexandrian or Coptic, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean
rites. The variety of particular churches with distinctive traditions witnesses
to the catholicity of the one Church of Christ, which takes root in distinct
cultures (1202-1203; cf. 835).
ECCLESIASTIC/ECCLESIASTICAL: Pertaining to
or of the Church (Greek/Latin: ecclesia). Hence ecclesiastical
government is church government (857); an ecclesiastical province is a grouping
of church jurisdictions or dioceses (887); an ecclesiastic is a church official.
ECONOMY: The structure and organization of
productive work or activity in a society, forming the basis for financial
support and stability of individuals, families, and society. The morality of
economic activity is judged according to the seventh commandment; economic
activity is one of the principal points addressed by the Church's social
doctrine.
the Church's social
doctrine and,
2420-21,
2423,
2458
goals of the,
2426
inequalities and injustices in economy and their consequences,
1938,
2317,
2437
man in economic life,
2459
regulation of economy is necessary,
2425,
2431
and respect for human dignity,
2407
right to economic activity,
2429
social justice and economic activity,
2426-36
solidarity and justice in,
1941,
2438,
2440,
2832
unacceptable economic theories,
2424
ECONOMY OF SALVATION (DIVINE ECONOMY):
From a Greek word (oikonomia, literally "management of a household" or
"stewardship") which refers to God's revelation and communication of himself to
the world in time for the sake of the salvation of all humanity; hence, the
economy of salvation (258, 1066). The Fathers of the Church distinguished
oikonomia from theologia; the latter term refers to the mystery of
the internal life of the Trinity (236). The economy of salvation, on the other
hand, refers to God's activity in creating and governing the world, particularly
with regard to his plan for the salvation of the world in the person and work of
Jesus Christ, a plan which is being accomplished through his Body the Church, in
its life and sacraments; hence, the "sacramental economy".
beginning of the,
56,
489,
705
definitive propriety of the,
66
economy of creation and salvation in Jesus prayer,
2604,
2606,
2746,
2758
economy of Revelation realized in words and deeds,
1103
goals of the divine economy,
122,
260
of the Law and grace frees the human heart,
2541
perversions that threaten the divine economy,
57
prayer and the,
2850
of the sacraments,
1076-1209 (see
also Sacrament[s])
whole divine economy is the common work of the three divine persons,
258-59,
1066
ECUMENICAL COUNCIL: See Council,
Ecumenical.
ECUMENISM: Promotion of the restoration of
unity among all Christians, the unity which is a gift of Christ and to which the
Church is called by the Holy Spirit. For the Catholic Church, the Decree on
Ecumenism of the Second Vatican Council provides a charter for ecumenical
efforts.
Baptism as the foundation
of,
818, 1271
causes for the ecumenical rifts,
817
consequences of the ecumenical rifts,
855
effects of ecumenical dialogue,
1636
reasons for achieving ecumenical unity,
816,
819-22
ENCYCLICAL: A pastoral letter written by
the Pope and sent to the whole Church and even to the whole world, to express
Church teaching on some important matter. Encyclicals are expressions of the
ordinary papal magisterium (cf. 892).
ENVY: Resentment or sadness at another's
good fortune, and the desire to have it for oneself. One of the seven capital
sins, envy is contrary to the tenth commandment.
as a capital sin,
2538-40,
2553-54
EPARCHY: See Diocese.
EPICLESIS: The prayer petitioning God to
send the Holy Spirit so that the offerings at the Eucharist may become the Body
and Blood of Christ and thus the faithful, by receiving them, may themselves
become a living offering to God. In every sacrament, the prayer asking for the
sanctifying power of God's Holy Spirit is an "epiclesis".
in the celebration of the
Anointing of the Sick,
1519
in the celebration of marriage,
1624
effects of the prayer of,
1238,
1297
as the heart of the Eucharistic celebration,
1106
meaning of, 1105,
1109,
1353
the "Our Father" as a summary of,
2770
signs and motions in,
699
EPIPHANY: The feast which celebrates the
manifestation to the world of the newborn Christ as Messiah, Son of
God, and Savior of the world. The feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of
Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his baptism
in the Jordan and the wedding feast of Cana in Galilee (528; cf. 535).
meaning of the,
528,
1171
EPISCOPAL/EPISCOPATE: Pertaining to the
office of bishop (Greek: episkopos), hence episcopal consecration, the
episcopal college, episcopal conferences (883, 887, 1557). "Episcopate" is a
collective noun referring to all those who have received sacramental ordination
as bishops.
authority and,
883-84
Bishop of Rome and,
936
bishops and,
877
the Church and,
857,
869
consecration of the bishop and,
1559
expression of,
885
infallibity of,
891
particular churches and collegial spirit,
886-87
EREMITICAL LIFE: The life of a hermit,
separate from the world in praise of God and for the salvation of the world, in
the silence of solitude, assiduous prayer, and penance (920).
ESCHATOLOGY: From the Greek word
eschaton, meaning "last." Eschatology refers to the area of Christian faith
which is concerned about "the last things," and the coming of Jesus on "the last
day": our human destiny, death, judgment, resurrection of the body, heaven,
purgatory, and hell--all of which are contained in the final articles of the
Creed (1001, 1020-1050; cf. 2771).
ETERNAL LIFE: Living forever with God in
the happiness of heaven, entered after death by the souls of those who die in
the grace and friendship of God (988, 1020). In preaching the kingdom of heaven,
Jesus called all people to eternal life, which is anticipated in the grace of
union with Christ: "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (Jn 17:3).
EUCHARIST: The ritual, sacramental action
of thanksgiving to God which constitutes the principal Christian liturgical
celebration of and communion in the paschal mystery of Christ. The liturgical
action called the Eucharist is also traditionally known as the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass. It is one of the seven sacraments of the Church; the Holy Eucharist
completes Christian initiation (1322 ff.). The Sunday celebration of the
Eucharist is at the heart of the Church's life (2l77). See Mass.
as an act of
thanksgiving,
1359
as a memorial,
1357,
1362
as presence,
1373-75
as sacrifice,
1362-72
as source and summit of Church life,
1324
See also Consecration;
Sacrament(s);
Transubstantiation
effects of the Eucharist
cleanses and separates us from sin,
1393-95,
1436,
1846
commits us to the poor,
1397
communicates the mystery of the communion of the Holy Trinity,
950,
2845
establishes the community of believers,
805,
1396,
2637
as a foretaste of the future life,
1000,
1326,
1402-05,
1419
as growth in Christian life,
1392,
1397,
1644
as an increase of the grace received in Baptism,
1392
as the source of conversion and penance,
1436
as spiritual food,
1212,
1275,
1436,
2837
transforms man through Christ,
1074
unites with Christ,
790,
1003,
1391
unites Christians,
1398
unites with the heavenly liturgy,
1370
we participate in Christ's sacrifice,
1322
Eucharistic celebration
commanded by Jesus,
1341-44,
1356
elements in the Mass
anaphora,
1352-54
collection,
1351
communion,
1355,
1382,
1570
epiclesis,
1105,
1353
fundamental structures,
1346
gathering of the Christian faithful,
1348
Liturgy of the Word,
1349
presentation of the gifts,
1350
Eucharistic communion
access to Eucharist prohibited,
1650
first Holy Communion,
1244
frequency of,
1388-89
minister of,
1411
necessary preparation for receiving,
1385-87
requirements for receiving,
1355,
1415
sacrilege against,
2120
under two species,
1390
Eucharistic signs
altar,
1383
bread and wine,
1333-35
Liturgy of the Word because of the impossibility of celebrating the
Eucharist,
2183
necessity of the Eucharist and receiving Communion,
1384
participation in,
2042,
2181-82
place for celebration of,
1180-81
places reserved for,
1181,
1379
Sunday,
2177,
2181
and the unity of Christians,
838,
1398-1401
history of the Eucharist
ancient celebration of the Lord's Day,
1342-43,
2178
Mass of all ages,
1345
origins of the Eucharistic celebration,
2176
prefigurings of the Eucharist,
1094,
1335
structure of the Eucharistic celebration preserved throughout the centuries,
1346
identity of the Eucharist
act of thanksgiving and praise to the Father,
1358-61
communion of the Lord's body and blood,
1097,
1382
memorial of Christ's sacrifice,
611,
1337,
1357-58,
1362-72,
1382
memorial of the New Covenant,
1621
mystery of Christ's action,
2718
presence of Christ,
1357-58
presence of the coming Kingdom,
1405,
2861
sacrament of
Christian initiation,
1212,
1533
communion,
1382,
1395
Redemption,
1846
sacraments,
1169,
1211
source of charity,
864,
1395
source and summit of Christian life,
1324-27
institution of the Eucharist
"Do this in memory of me,"
1341-44
Jesus and,
1337-40
purposes of,
610,
1341
minister of the celebration of the Eucharist. See
Bishop;
Priest
names of the Eucharist
the Breaking of Bread,
1329
Daily bread,
2837
the Eucharist,
1328
the Eucharistic assembly,
1329
Holy Communion,
1331
the holy and Divine Liturgy,
1330
Holy Mass,
1332
the Holy Sacrifice,
1330
the Lord's Supper,
1329
Memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection,
1330
the Most Blessed sacrament,
1330
the sacrament of sacraments,
1169,
1211
the sacrifice of the Mass,
1330
the sacrifice of praise,
2643
presence of Christ in the Eucharist
enduring Eucharistic presence of Christ,
1377
in the Eucharistic assembly,
1348
in the Eucharistic species,
1373
faith in Christ,
1381
in the Liturgy of the Word,
1088,
1349
in the priest,
1348
significance of,
1380
transubstantiation of Christ declared by the Tridentine Council,
1376
true and mysterious,
1357,
1373-77
true, real, and substantial,
1374
veiled presence of Christ in the Eucharist,
1404
worship of latria and the adoration of,
1378-79
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER: See Canon of
the Mass.
EUTHANASIA: An action or an omission
which, of itself or by intention, causes the death of handicapped, sick, or
dying persons--sometimes with an attempt to justify the act as a means of
eliminating suffering. Euthanasia violates the fifth commandment of the law of
God.
distinction between
euthanasia and the rejection of overzealous treatment,
2278
gravity of voluntary,
2324
as morally unacceptable,
2277
significance of,
2277
See also Pain
EVANGELICAL COUNSELS: In general, the
teachings of the New Law proposed by Jesus to his disciples which lead to the
perfection of Christian life. In the New Law, the precepts are intended to
remove whatever is incompatible with charity; the evangelical counsels are to
remove whatever might hinder the development of charity, even if not contrary to
it (1973). The public profession of the evangelical counsels of poverty,
chastity, and obedience is a constitutive element of state of consecrated life
in the Church.
the Church and,
2103
Commandments and,
2053
consecrated life and,
914-16,
918,
944
eremitic life and,
920
mission and,
931
New Law and,
1973-74,
1986
religious life and,
925
secular institutes and,
929
society of Apostolic Life and,
903
EVANGELIST: One of the four authors to
whom is ascribed the writing of the Gospels, i.e., Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
(125, 120). The term is also used for one who works actively to spread and
promote the Christian faith.
EVANGELIZATION: The proclamation of Christ
and his Gospel (Greek: evangelion) by word and the testimony of life,
in fulfillment of Christ's command.
the Church and the
missionary mandate,
849
as the Church's right and duty,
848
collaborators in,
927-933
and the liturgy,
1072
mission of the laity in,
905
missionary paths,
852-56
motive of,
851
origin and purposes of,
850
parents and the evangelization of children,
2225
and the sacraments,
1122
source of the desire for,
429
and the witness of the baptized,
2044,
2472
EVE: According to the creation story in
Genesis, the first woman; wife of Adam. God did not create man a solitary being;
from the beginning, "male and female he created them" (Gen 1:29) (369,
375). Because she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, Jesus Christ
the "new Adam," Mary is called the "new Eve," the "mother of the living" in the
order of grace. See Adam.
consequences of the
disobedience of Adam and,
399,
404,
417
God's promise to,
489
Mary as the "new Eve,"
411,
489,
726,
2618,
2853
original state of Adam and,
375
reparation for Eve's disobedience,
494
EVIL: The opposite or absence of good. One
form of evil, physical evil, is a result of the "state of journeying" toward its
ultimate perfection in which God created the world, involving the existence of
the less perfect alongside the more perfect, the constructive and the
destructive forces of nature, the appearance and disappearance of certain beings
(310). Moral evil, however, results from the free choice to sin which angels and
men have; it is permitted by God, who knows how to derive good from it, in order
to respect the freedom of his creatures (311). The entire revelation of God's
goodness in Christ is a response to the existence of evil (309, 385, 1707). The
devil is called the Evil One. See Devil/Demon.
aids to avoiding,
1806,
1889,
1950,
1962,
2527
attack of evil after the first sin,
401,
1707
choice between good and,
1732-33
Christ frees man from,
549,
1505
Christian faith as a response to,
309,
385
in the doctrines of Dualism and Manichaeism,
285
God's power to bring good from the consequences of,
312-13,
412
God's reign still under attack by,
671
God's victory over,
272,
410,
677
ignorance and imputability of evil committed,
1791,
1793,
1860
immorality of doing evil for the sake of obtaining the good,
1789
Last Judgment for those who have committed,
1039
leading another to,
1869,
2284
moral,
311-12
and morality of human actions,
1749-56
not wishing evil on one's neighbor,
2303,
2539
original sin as the origin of,
403,
407,
1607,
1707
physical,
310
prayer of delivery from,
2846,
2850-54
(see also "Our Father,"
the prayer)
providence and the scandal of,
309-14
question of the origin of,
385
reason and the discernment of good and,
1954
in the religious behavior of men,
844
repetition of evil and its consequences,
1865
resurrection of judgment,
998
sin as the gravest,
1488
turning away from,
1427,
1431,
1706,
1776
universality of evil in the history of man,
401
See also Good
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE: Prayerful
self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine
how we may have sinned against God. The reception of the Sacrament of Penance
ought to be prepared for by such an examination of conscience (1454).
for receiving the
sacraments,
1385,
1454,
1456,
1482,
1779
as a way to conversion,
1427-29,
1435
See also Penance;
Penance and Reconciliation
EXCOMMUNICATION: A severe ecclesiastical
penalty, resulting from grave crimes against the Catholic religion, imposed by
ecclesiastical authority or incurred as a direct result of the commission of an
offense. Excommunication excludes the offender from taking part in the Eucharist
or other sacraments and from the exercise of any ecclesiastical office,
ministry, or function (1463).
as a penalty that impedes
reception of the sacraments,
1463
EXODUS: God's saving intervention in
history by which he liberated the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, made a
covenant with them, and brought them into the Promised Land. The Book of Exodus,
the second of the Old Testament, narrates this saving history (62). The exodus
is commemorated by the Jewish people at Passover, which for Christians is a
foreshadowing of the "passover" of Jesus Christ from death to life and is
celebrated in the memorial of the Eucharist.
Decalogue in the context
of, 2057
liturgy and memory of,
1093,
1363
significance of bread in the context of,
1334
value of the Exodus never lost,
130
EXORCISM: The public and authoritative act
of the Church to protect or liberate a person or object from the power of the
devil (e.g., demonic possession) in the name of Christ (1673). A simple exorcism
prayer in preparation for Baptism invokes God's help in overcoming the power of
Satan and the spirit of evil (1237).
in the celebration of
Baptism, 1237
significance and purposes of exorcism and its modes of performance,
1673
significance of Jesus,
517,
550
EXPIATION: The act of redemption and
atonement for sin which Christ won for us by the pouring out of his Blood on the
cross, by his obedient love "even to the end" (Jn 13:1) (433, 616,
1475). The expiation of sins continues in the mystical body of Christ and the
communion of saints by joining our human acts of atonement to the redemptive
action of Christ, both in this life and in Purgatory.
Jesus as victim of
expiation for human sins,
457,
604,
615-16,
1476,
1992
of sins in Israel,
433,
578
value of expiation through punishment,
2266
EXTREME UNCTION: See Anointing of
the Sick.
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