CATHOLIC WORD BOOK - Knights of Columbus, Supreme Council

the Annunciation, in the Infancy
Narrative (Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord
is with you, blessed are you among women; Lk
1:28); the words addressed to Mary by her
cousin Elizabeth on the occasion of the
Visitation (Blessed is the fruit of your womb;
Lk 1-42); a concluding petition (Holy
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death. Amen.). The first
two salutations were joined in Eastern rite
formulas by the sixth century, and were
similarly used at Rome in the seventh
century. Insertion of the name of Jesus at
the conclusion of the salutations was
probably made by Urban IV about 1262.
The present form of the petition was
incorporated into the breviary in 1514.
Heaven: The state of those who, having
achieved salvation, are in glory with God
and enjoy the beatific vision. The phrase,
kingdom of heaven, refers to the order or
kingdom of God, grace, salvation.
Hell: The state of persons who die in
mortal sin, in a condition of self alienation
from God which will last forever.
Heresy: The obstinate post baptismal
denial or doubt by a Catholic of any truth
which must be believed as a matter of
divine and Catholic faith (Canon 751, of
the Code of Canon Law). Formal heresy
involves deliberate resistance to the
authority of God who communicates
revelation through Scripture and tradition
and the teaching authority of the Church.
Heretics automatically incur the penalty of
excommunication (Canon 1364 of the
Code of Canon Law). Heresies have been
significant not only as disruptions of unity
of faith but also as occasions for the
clarification and development of doctrine.
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Heresies from the beginning of the Church
to the 13th century are described in Dates
and Events in Church History.
Hermeneutics: See under the section
Interpretation of the Bible.
Hermit: See Anchorite.
Heroic Act of Charity: The completely
unselfish offering to God of one’s good
works and merits for the benefit of the
souls in purgatory rather than for oneself.
Thus a person may offer to God for the
souls in purgatory all the good works he
performs during life, all the indulgences
he gains, and all the prayers and
indulgences that will be offered for him
after his death. The act is revocable at will,
and is not a vow. Its actual ratification
depends on the will of God.
Heroic Virtue: The exemplary practice of
the four cardinal virtues and three
theological virtues; such virtue is sought
in persons considered for sainthood.
Heterodoxy: False doctrine teaching or
belief; a departure from truth.
Hierarchy: The hierarchy of order who
carry out the sacramental, teaching, and
pastoral ministry of the Church; the
hierarchy consists of the pope, bishops,
priests, and deacons; the pope and the
bishops give pastoral governance to the
faithful.
Holy Father: A title used for the pope; it is
a shortened translation of the Latin title
Beatissimus Pater, “Most Blessed Father”
and refers to his position as the spiritual
father of all the Christian faithful.