Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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CATECHETICAL SYNTHESIS
A summary of Catholic doctrine that serves as the framework for instructing the people in the essentials of faith. Numerous and varied syntheses have been in use since early patristic times. One modern summary builds on the structure of faith, hope, charity, and the sacraments, as follows:
I. FAITH
1. As to the human race
--Its first beginning
--Its last end
2. The belief
--In God the Father
--In Jesus Christ
--In the Holy Spirit
--In the Holy Catholic Church
II. HOPE
1. The Our Father
--The Seven Blessings to be hoped for and prayed for
2. The Hail Mary
--Assistance of the Blessed Virgin, of the angels and saints
III. CHARITY
1. The Commandments of God and of the Church
2. The Beatitudes
IV. THE SACRAMENTS
Seven great means of grace corresponding to the principal needs of the supernatural life:
1. Birth through Baptism
2. Growth through Confirmation
3. Nourishment through the Eucharist
4. Medicine through Penance
5. Journey of the soul through Anointing
6. Priesthood through Ordination
7. Christian family through Matrimony
