Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
NOTION
A concept, idea, or mental apprehension. In the Trinity, notions are the distinctive characteristics of the divine persons by which they are known. The notions of the individual persons are: 1. ungeneratedness and active generation as a mark of recognition of the Father; 2. passive generation of the Son; and 3. passive spiration as a distinctive characteristic of the Holy Spirit. The notions are internal divine activities that characterize the persons and distinguish them, as compared with the essential acts that are common to all three persons. (Etym. Latin notitia, a being known, knowledge.)
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
