Catechism of the Catholic Church

902

Glossary

substance of the bread into the substance of the Body of Christ, and of the entire substance of the wine into the Blood of Christ— even though the appearances or “species” of bread and wine remain (1376). TRIDUUM: A liturgical celebration of three days duration, as in the Easter Triduum (1168). TRINITY: The mystery of one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The revealed truth of the Holy Trinity is at the very root of the Church’s living faith as expressed in the Creed. The mystery of the Trinity in itself is inaccessible to the human mind and is the object of faith only because it was revealed by Jesus Christ, the divine Son of the eternal Father (232, 237, 249, 253 256). See Person, Divine. TYPOLOGY: The discernment of persons, events, or things in the Old Testament which prefigured, and thus served as a “type” (or prototype) of, the fulfillment of God’s plan in the person of Christ. The typology of the Old Testament which is made clear in the New Testament demonstrates the dynamic unity of the divine plan of salvation (128).

given to those who led a life of prayer and self-denial in giving witness to Christ, whose virtues were recognized and publicly proclaimed in their canonization as saints (828). Such veneration is often extended to the relics or remains of those recognized as saints; indeed, to many sacred objects and images. Veneration must be clearly distinguished from adoration and worship, which are due to God alone (1154, 1674, 2132). VENIAL SIN: Sin which does not destroy the divine life in the soul, as does mortal sin, though it diminishes and wounds it (1855). Venial sin is the failure to observe necessary moderation, in lesser matters of the moral law, or in grave matters acting without full knowledge or complete consent (1862). VIATICUM: The Eucharist received by a dying person. It is the spiritual food for one’s “passing over” to the Father from this world. With Penance and the Anointing of the Sick, the reception of Holy Communion as Viaticum constitute the “last sacraments” of the Christian (1524). VICAR OF CHRIST: A title given to St. Peter, head of the Twelve Apostles, and to his successors, the popes (882); “vicar” means one who stands in for or acts for another. VICE: A habit acquired by repeated sin in violation of the proper norms of human morality. The vices are often linked with the seven capital sins. Repentance for sin and confession may restore grace to a soul, but the removal of the ingrained disposition to sin or

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UNITY, CHRISTIAN: See Ecumenism.

-V VENERATION (OF SAINTS): Showing devotion and respect to Mary, the Apostles, and the martyrs, who were viewed as faithful witnesses to faith in Jesus Christ. Later, veneration was