Venial sin
Venial sin is a lesser sin that weakens a person’s relationship with God without destroying sanctifying grace, unlike mortal sin.
Sin: An act, omission, or disposition understood as contrary to divine or moral law. Venial sin is one classification within Catholic accounts of sin.
Catholic theology: The systematic study of God and doctrine within the Catholic tradition. Venial sin is defined within Catholic doctrine about grace, sin, and forgiveness.
First Epistle of John: A New Testament letter addressing Christian belief, conduct, love, and fellowship with God. Its distinction between sin that leads to death and sin that does not informs later classifications.
Examination of conscience: A reflective assessment of one's thoughts, words, actions, and omissions against moral or religious standards. Catholics use it to identify venial sins as well as more serious wrongdoing.
Sanctifying grace: In Catholic theology, the divine life bestowed on a person, making them holy and adopted by God. Venial sin wounds a relationship sustained by grace without destroying it.
Confession: The disclosure of sins to a priest in the sacrament of reconciliation. Confession can remit venial sins, though Catholic teaching does not require it for each one.
Augustine of Hippo: A fourth- and fifth-century Christian theologian and bishop whose writings shaped Western Christianity. Augustine's treatment of lesser sins helped shape later Latin Christian discussions of sin.
Virtue: A stable disposition to act well, cultivated through practice and moral formation. Catholic teaching says deliberate persistence in venial sin can weaken virtue.
Mortal sin: A grave sin committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent, which destroys sanctifying grace. Catholic teaching distinguishes venial sin from mortal sin by gravity, knowledge, and consent.
Eucharist: The Catholic sacrament in which bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. Catholic teaching holds that reception of the Eucharist strengthens against sin and remits venial sins.