Sacramentals · are aids for the faith life such as rosary beads, crosses, statues, and holy cards. They are usually blessed (dedicated or set apart) for their sacred purpose.
Sacraments · are a bit like a sign and a bit like a symbol, but also quite a bit more. The Catholic Church recognises seven sacraments, usually grouped into three categories: The sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation; the sacraments of healing – Penance and Anointing of the Sick; and vocation – Marriage and Holy Orders. These are outward signs of God’s work within His people. Each was, in some way, instituted by Christ to give grace (i.e. to form relationship).
Sacrilege · involves the violation of some sacred object or person. More broadly, it is any transgression against the sacred or religion itself. The seriousness of the sacrilege is on a spectrum, depending on what is violated. For example, it a much less serious offence (in this regard) committed privately or in compromise of a personal devotion(al item). On the other hand, harm or dishonour to persons (made in the image a likeness of God and consecrated in Baptism) or the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) is far more serious.
Sacristan · one who manages or serves in the sacristy. They usually prepare everything for liturgies, especially the Mass — altar linens and candles, sacred vessels (chalice and paten) as well as the gifts (bread and wine), and set the book (sacramentary) for the minister. After the service, they might extinguish the candles, cover the altar, and clean the sacred vessels.
Sacristy · is the room or area in which the ministers prepare (for) Mass. Usually sacristies can be found either side of the sanctuary; sometimes they are designated as the ‘main sacristy’ (where vesting and preparation of the sacred vessels takes place) on the left (facing the altar, as one does) and the ‘working sacristy’ (where incense is lit, flowers cut, and many a thing stored) to the right.
Saint · are those bound for heaven (faithful members of the Church living), a mortal being enjoying eternal life (Church triumphant), or, in the more proper sense, one of the latter canonised (verified/endorsed) by the Church.
Salvation · is freedom/liberation from sin.
Sanctifying Grace · is the supernatural quality by which we can participate in the divine life. It is given through baptism, broken by deliberate choice (through mortal sin) and restored through sincere repentance and sacramental reconciliation. It is ‘sanctifying’ as in it ‘sets apart or makes divine’ and ‘grace’ as in ‘relationship’; thus, it is the relationship with the divine which is given as a gift by God.
Sanctuary · is the space in the Church set apart for the sacred. It is comparable in many ways to the ‘holy of holies’ from ancient times. In many orthodox traditions, women do not enter the sanctuary; it is reserved for those exercising sacred functions as ministers.
Scandal · is not as easy as one might think. Literally, it comes (via old French) from the Greek skandalon (~σκανδαλίσῃ) which means stumbling block, or cause of stumbling. True scandal is not achieved by brining shock or gossip-worthy (which nothing ever is) conduct. It is said to happen when the action/s (that is, the scandal) leads another into serious sin (c.f. Matt 18:6) — what has been described not as spiritual confusion but spiritual ruin.
Scapular · a religious garment worn over the shoulders, falling on the front and back of the torso. Most major religious congregations include a scapular as part of their habit. May lay folks wear the brown or green scapular, made of light fabric and usually worn under their civilian clothes.
Schism · is to break from the communion of the Church. This can be achieved by some forbidden acts but is mostly achieved by formal ascription to another Christian communion or the public renunciation of the Pope or the Church.
Some people, with rhetoric that can be described as ‘curious’ at best have at times quested the authenticity of Pope Francis. All have a right to question matters of validity and such; however, it wanders into the territory of disrespect and schism to call him ‘anti-pope Bergolio’ or formally promote abscondence.
Scholasticism · is the movement of study linked with monasteries and early universities.
Scripture · is the word of God contained in the canonical bible. All scripture is inspired by God and can be used to teach (2 Tim 3:16).
Scrupulosity · is akin to spiritual anxiety (in the modern clinical sense of the latter term). It is an unfounded concern or fear that something is a sin. It can be crippling, arising not as an isolated phenomena but a habitual condition. It is most recognisable in some kinds of ‘purity culture’ or over attention to certain sexual moral codes.
A sad effect of scrupulosity is a diminished cooperation with God’s grace. Some describe it as the voice of the deceiver which wishes to lure well-meaning and devout souls to despair or denial of God’s mercy. As a remedy and assurance against scrupulosity, the Church sets that a sacramental confession should usually be made annually. This is meant to deter those who feel inclined to access the sacrament with obsessive frequency or even abuse it by incessant and unfounded recourse.
Secularism · is the trend of people and societies to move from God-centred to God-avoidant or Godless. From the Latin secula (current, like a river flow), it denotes a view of life as limited to whatever is trending in the world. Secular people may look down on or be indifferent to religion.
Self-defence · as opposed to murder is a right rather than a crime. It is a last resort but indicates the extent to which one can ethically stand in defence of (your own) life and (other) persons. It is this ethical foundation which sits behind just war theory and law enforcement use of force.
Seminary · a training college for presbyters.
Septuagint · the first translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. It was carried out about two centuries before Jesus to cater for the Jews living in Egypt and elsewhere who no longer used Hebrew in every-day life. The name comes from a legend that the translation was carried out by seventy (or seventy-two) scholars, rendering it authoritative and beyond reproach.
Sex · either: a) the ‘marital act’; b) a broad genre of emotional and physical intimacy; or, c) the designation as male or female as per biology. Typically, one born male is identified as a man and one born female is identified as a woman. To identify otherwise does not affect ones standing, membership, or welcome within the Church.
Shame · may be a kind of contrition or shamefulness. The former can be helpful; the latter is a lingering result of the fall (c.f. Gen 2:25).
Shrine · a site for veneration or destination for pilgrimage. Many have shines in their homes, housing images or statues of saints, a candle or two, and religious artifacts from the Church’s year (e.g. a palm or holy water from Easter).
Sodomy · the glorification of sexual perversion.
Solidarity/Subsidiarity (i.e. altruism) · is a social justice teaching that decisions should be made at the lowest possible organisational level; the opposite of centralised governance.
Soul · or spirit is the essence of a person that goes beyond their corporal being. We are body+soul.
Stations of the Cross · are moments on the final journey of Jesus to His death and burial. Often, they are depicted in art around Churches and retreat centre grounds. Traditionally, there are 14 stations, though exactly what is depicted has varied a little over the years. It is customary for the stations to be observed on Fridays (of Lent). This usually involves walking along with the artwork to trace the steps of the Saviour.
Suicide · is the self-inflicted termination of life because of a critical mental illness. In times past and viewing the sad phenomena through the narrow lens of the prevailing perception, the Church denoted suicide as a mortal sin. This stance has long since been withdrawn, recognising the illness that it is and the associate grief and shame So, the Church supports sensitive language such as “such-and-such died by suicide” rather than “such-and-such committed suicide” (being taken at times to imply an intentional offence).
Synod / synodality · from the Greek syn-hodos (σύν-ὁδός) for ‘walking with’ denotes a disposition within the Church. It is also used in reference to a formal assembly. In many Church communions, a synod of bishops is the governing body. In the Latin tradition, the Pope might call a synod before writing a document. Bishops may also call a synod.