United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

520 • Conclusion and Appendices

MOTHER OF THE CHURCH: “[Mary] is clearly the mother of the members of Christ . . . since she has by her charity joined in bring ing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head” (LG, no. 53; CCC, no. 963). MOTHER OF GOD: Mary is truly the Mother of God since she is the mother of the Son of God made man. In the Eastern Churches, Mary is honored as the Theotokos , or “Birth-giver of God” (sometimes translated as “God-bearer”). MYRON : The name given in the Eastern Churches to the Chrism used during the Sacrament of Confirmation, or Chrismation . MYSTERY: The term has several complementary meanings. First, it reminds us that we can never exhaust God’s divine and infinite meaning. Second, mystery tells us that God is “wholly other,” (not us) and yet so near that in him we live and move and have our being. Third, the union of the divine and human in Christ is so unique that we revere it as holy mystery. Fourth, mystery also applies to the celebration of the Sacraments in which God, Father, Son, and Spirit, are present and active for our salvation.

forgive sins, and administer the other Sacraments, except Holy Orders.

MODESTY: A modest person dresses, speaks, and acts in a manner that supports and encour ages purity and chastity and not in a manner that would tempt or encourage sinful sexual behavior. MORALITY: In one sense, this is the goodness or evil of particular actions. For a Catholic, it also refers to the manner of life and action formed according to the teach ing laid down by Christ Jesus and authoritatively interpreted by the Church. MORTAL SIN: Mortal sin is when we consciously and freely choose to do something grave against the divine law and contrary to our final destiny. There are three conditions for a sin to be a mortal sin: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliber ate consent (freedom). Mortal sin destroys the loving relationship with God that we need for eternal happiness. If not repented, it results in a loss of love and God’s grace and merits eternal punishment in hell, that is, exclusion from the Kingdom of God and thus eternal death.