A Book on Apparitions
of the Virgin Mary
by The M+G+R
Foundation
APPENDIX 3
Glossary of Commonly Used Terms
This Glossary is not intended to be of encyclopedic scope or of
theological exactitude. It is simply an attempt to define in every day
terms some words that are very specific to the work at hand and that
are usually misunderstood, or not understood at all, even by the
Catholic faithful.
Devotion
It is NOT the same as Adoration.
Adoration is only due to God. Devotion
is a form of loyal dedication. In the context in here used - "Marian
Devotion" - it means dedication to the desires and plans of the Virgin
Mary. These desires and plans, always, without exception, lead to a
deeper level of Adoration of Her Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Our
God.
Eucharistic
Presence of Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament
Once a host or a specially prepared
bread is consecrated by a properly
ordained priest of the Orthodox or Roman Catholic Faith, it becomes the
Body of Jesus Christ. Although invisible to the human eye, Jesus Christ
is truly present in that host just as He is present in Heaven. This is
what is referred to as the "Eucharistic Presence".
Immaculate
Conception
This term signifies that the Virgin
Mary was conceived without the
stain of the Original Sin in Her soul which all humans are born with.
It DOES NOT MEAN that Her
parents did not use the God designed method
to conceive off springs.
Immaculate
Heart
The heart of the Virgin Mary, by an act
of Divine Grace, was not only
free of Original Sin, but, it was kept free of sin throughout Her
entire life. Thus, Her heart is pure - thus - "Immaculate".
Interior
Locutions
Very clear words and/or information
perceived by the person who
receives them supernaturally and are perceived by the mind just as an
audible message is. [Ref. 15]
Marian
Apparition
An event in which the Virgin Mary
becomes visible to some human beings.
In most instances, She will also speak. In rare instances, She may be
touched. [Ref. 15]
Penitence/Penance
Sacrifices made, primarily, by
depriving the body of comforts,
conveniences and physical or psychological pleasure. This is done as a
form of retribution for our sins or those of others, known or unknown
to us.
The normal daily aggravations like a
traffic jam, flat tire, a broken
bibelot, etc. may become, if specifically offered, part of our
Penitence/Penance due to God from us.
Pope
He is the recognized Spiritual Leader
of all the Roman Catholics of the
world and the unrecognized Successor of Peter to all of humanity.
Reparation
It is basically a retribution or
payment through penitence / penance
offered to God for sin. An Act of Reparation made because of insults
hurled at the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary may take the form of
an act on our part (an offer of a certain set of prayers, or do without
some pleasure for some time, or an act of charity) offered to God, in
'Reparation' for insults against His Mother.
Controlling
Hierarchy of the Church
Those who, by behind-the-scenes
manipulation, interfere with the
guidance imparted to the Church by the Holy Spirit through its
legitimate authority. Many times the Popes themselves have been the
victims of such manipulations.