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Dictionary

A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.

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CHANGE

In general, any newness in a being or any origin of a difference. More properly, it is the passing from potency (or possibility) to actuality, which may be either substantial or merely accidental. Substantial change is creation, which means origin form previous nonexistence; or transubstantiation, which is complete change of a substance; or transformation, which occurs when a new living being comes into existence, when food is changed into the living organism that absorbs it, or when a living being dies. Accidental changes are all others.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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