Glossary

Terms starting with E — browse A–Z or jump to the blog.

Terms — E

26 terms

Glossary
Easter

Easter is the feast of Christ's Resurrection — the Feast of feasts, the Christian Passover, and the foundation of the entire Christian faith and liturgical year.
Glossary
Easter

Easter is the principal feast of the liturgical year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Glossary
Economy / Oikonomia

The 'Economy' or 'Oikonomia' refers to God's plan and management of the world for the salvation of humanity, particularly through the missions of the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Glossary
Ecumenism

Ecumenism is the movement to restore visible unity among all Christians — embraced by the Catholic Church as prompted by the Holy Spirit, seeking truth and love toward full communion.
Glossary
Elijah

Elijah is one of the greatest Old Testament prophets — who confronted idolatry, modeled intercessory prayer, and prefigured John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah.
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Elohim

Elohim is a Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His power and majesty as the Creator of the universe.
Glossary
Emmaus

The village where two disciples encountered the Risen Christ in the 'breaking of the bread.'
Glossary
Envy

Envy is a significant concept in Catholic theology or moral teaching.
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Epiclesis

The invocation in the liturgy by which the priest asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit.
Glossary
Epiclesis

The epiclesis is the invocation in the liturgy by which the priest begs the Father to send the Holy Spirit to sanctify the offerings or the people.
Glossary
Epiphany

Epiphany is the feast celebrating the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi.
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Eschatology

Theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul.
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Esther

Esther is the Jewish queen who risked her life to intercede for her people before the Persian king — a model of courageous prayer and a type of Mary, the great intercessor before the King of Kings.
Glossary
Eternal Life

Eternal life is participation in God's own life — beginning in Baptism and fulfilled in the Beatific Vision in Heaven — not merely endless duration but the fullness of life with God.
Glossary
Eternal Punishment

Eternal Punishment is a significant concept in Catholic theology or moral teaching.
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Eucharistic Prayer

The Eucharistic Prayer is the central prayer of thanksgiving and consecration in the Mass.
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Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the direct and intentional killing of a handicapped, sick, or dying person, which the Church teaches is morally unacceptable.
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Evangelical Christianity

A Protestant movement emphasizing the born-again experience and biblical authority.
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Evangelical Counsels

The evangelical counsels are the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience that characterize the consecrated life in the Church.
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Evangelist

Evangelist is a significant concept in Catholic theology or moral teaching.
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Evangelization

Evangelization is the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people — the primary mission of the Church and the vocation of every baptized Christian.
Glossary
Evil

Evil is a significant concept in Catholic theology or moral teaching.
Glossary
Examination of Conscience

An examination of conscience is the prayerful review of one's thoughts, words, and actions in light of God's law — a preparation for Confession and a tool for ongoing conversion.
Glossary
Excommunication

Excommunication is the Church's most serious canonical penalty — exclusion from the sacraments — a medicinal measure intended to call the excommunicated person to repentance and return.
Glossary
Expiation

Expiation is a significant concept in Catholic theology or moral teaching.
Glossary
Ezekiel

Ezekiel is the major prophet of the Babylonian exile whose prophecy of a new heart and new spirit points directly to the action of the Holy Spirit in the New Covenant.