United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Appendix A. Glossary • 505

ASSUMPTION: The dogma that when the Blessed Virgin Mary’s earthly life was finished, because she was sinless, she was kept from corruption and taken soul and body into heavenly glory.

on the Mount, which set forth fun damental attitudes and virtues for living as a faithful disciple.

BIBLE: See “Sacred Scripture.”

BISHOP: The highest of the three degrees of Holy Orders; a bishop is normally ordained to teach, to sanctify, and to govern a diocese or local church; a bishop is a successor of the Apostles. BLASPHEMY: The use of the name of God, of the Virgin Mary, and of the saints in an offensive way. There are blessings for persons, meals, objects, places, and ceremo nial occasions such as graduations, testimonial honors, welcomes, and farewells. All blessings praise God for his gifts. Most blessings invoke the Holy Trinity along with the sign of the Cross, sometimes with the sprinkling of holy water. “Eucharist, Sacrament of”). It is also a title for the Church, with Christ as her head, sometimes referred to as the Mystical Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit provides the members with the gifts needed to live as Christ’s Body. BLESSINGS: Among the sacramen tals, blessings hold a major place. BODY OF CHRIST: A name for the Holy Eucharist (see

ATHEIST: One who denies the existence of God.

ATONEMENT: By his suffering and death on the Cross, Jesus freed us from our sins and brought about our reconciliation with God the Father.

AVARICE: See “Greed.”

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BAPTISM: The first Sacrament of Initiation by which we are freed from all sin and are endowed with the gift of divine life, are made members of the Church, and are called to holiness and mission. BEATIFICATION: The last step before being declared a saint. The main steps in the canonization process (determining eligibility for sainthood) are as follows: Servant of God (Venerable), Blessed, and Saint. BEATITUDES: The eight Beatitudes form part of the teaching given by Jesus during the Sermon