Beliefs & Teachings
Learn about the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church. What do Catholics believe about God, Jesus Christ, Mary, and the saints? How do Catholics practice the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church? What do Catholics believe about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory? What does the Catholic Church teach about sin and repentance, and sex and sexuality? Study Catholic beliefs and teachings here.
Catholicism 101
"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." These words of Our Savior in Matthew 16:18 form the core of the Catholic Church's claim to be the one, true Church founded by Jesus Christ: Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia--"Where Peter is, there is the Church." The Pope, the successor of Peter as bishop of Rome, is the sure sign th…
"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." These words of Our Savior in Matthew 16:18 form the core of the Catholic Church's claim to be the one, true Church founded by Jesus Christ: Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia--"Where Peter is, there is the Church." The Pope, the successor of Peter as bishop of Rome, is the sure sign th…
Reader Questions
The Catholic Faith is full of beauty, subtlety, and nuance. Sometimes, that can lead to confusion, however. Two thousand years of history and tradition is bound to result in many questions over both Catholic practice and belief.
The Catholic Faith is full of beauty, subtlety, and nuance. Sometimes, that can lead to confusion, however. Two thousand years of history and tradition is bound to result in many questions over both Catholic practice and belief.
The questions below are drawn from my Friday "Reader Question" series. They are presented in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent is always at the …
The Athanasian Creed
The longest of the standard Christian creeds, the Athanasian Creed is an beautiful meditation on the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. Ascribed to Saint Athanasius, the Athanasian Creed was traditionally recited in churches on Trinity Sunday.
The longest of the standard Christian creeds, the Athanasian Creed is an beautiful meditation on the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity. Ascribed to Saint Athanasius, the Athanasian Creed was traditionally recited in churches on Trinity Sunday.
What Are the Seven Deadly Sins?
The seven deadly sins, more properly called the seven capital sins, are the sins to which we are most susceptible because of our fallen human nature. They are the tendencies that cause us to commit all other sins. They are called "deadly" because, if we engage in these sins willingly, they deprive us of sanctifying grace, the life of God in our souls.
The seven deadly sins, more properly called the seven capital sins, are the sins to which we are most susceptible because of our fallen human nature. They are the tendencies that cause us to commit all other sins. They are called "deadly" because, if we engage in these sins willingly, they deprive us of sanctifying grace, the life of God in our souls.
What Are the Four Cardinal Virtues?
The cardinal virtues are the four primary moral virtues. All other virtues hinge upon these four virtues.
The cardinal virtues are the four primary moral virtues. All other virtues hinge upon these four virtues.
What Are the Three Theological Virtues?
The theological virtues are gifts of grace from God, and the object of the virtues—what the practice of the virtue aims at—is God Himself.
The theological virtues are gifts of grace from God, and the object of the virtues—what the practice of the virtue aims at—is God Himself.
What Are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us. What are these seven gifts that help us to live a Christian life?
We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are infused with sanctifying grace, the life of God within us. What are these seven gifts that help us to live a Christian life?
What Are the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit?
The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that we can perform only with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Find the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit here.
The twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are works that we can perform only with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Find the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit here.
What Are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, instituted by Christ Himself, which are outward signs of an inward grace acting in our souls.
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, instituted by Christ Himself, which are outward signs of an inward grace acting in our souls.
What Is an Occasion of Sin?
What is an "occasion of sin," what makes it "near," and why should we avoid it?
What is an "occasion of sin," what makes it "near," and why should we avoid it?
Why Must Catholics Go to Mass Every Sunday?
The Catholic Church says that all Catholics have an obligation to participate in Mass every Sunday. Why is that necessary, and how do we fulfill our duty to worship God?
The Catholic Church says that all Catholics have an obligation to participate in Mass every Sunday. Why is that necessary, and how do we fulfill our duty to worship God?
Why Can't Women Be Priests?
Advocates for the ordination of women say it is simply a matter of justice, and the lack of such ordination is proof that the Catholic Church does not value women. The Church's teaching on this matter, however, cannot change. Why can't women be priests?
Advocates for the ordination of women say it is simply a matter of justice, and the lack of such ordination is proof that the Catholic Church does not value women. The Church's teaching on this matter, however, cannot change. Why can't women be priests?
The Just War Theory of the Catholic Church
What does the Catholic Church teach about war? Can any war ever be just? If so, what are the conditions that determine the justice of a war? And has the existence of weapons of mass destruction changed how the Church views the question of war? Find out more about the just-war theory of the Catholic Church.
What does the Catholic Church teach about war? Can any war ever be just? If so, what are the conditions that determine the justice of a war? And has the existence of weapons of mass destruction changed how the Church views the question of war? Find out more about the just-war theory of the Catholic Church.
Sample Catholic Wedding Program
This is a sample program from a Catholic wedding, which you can use as the basis of your own wedding program.
This is a sample program from a Catholic wedding, which you can use as the basis of your own wedding program.
Patrology and Study of Patristic Writing
Patrology is the study of the writings of the Fathers of the early Church. Sometimes the early Fathers are divided into the Ante-Nicene writers (until A.D. 325) and the Post-Nicene writers. Others distinguish between Latin and Greek or Eastern and Western writers.
Patrology is the study of the writings of the Fathers of the early Church. Sometimes the early Fathers are divided into the Ante-Nicene writers (until A.D. 325) and the Post-Nicene writers. Others distinguish between Latin and Greek or Eastern and Western writers.
EWTN : The Teachings of the Catholic Church
The teachings of the Catholic Church, presented by the Catholic cable network EWTN. Includes excellent catechetical materials and excerpts from Church documents and the Fathers of the Church.
The teachings of the Catholic Church, presented by the Catholic cable network EWTN. Includes excellent catechetical materials and excerpts from Church documents and the Fathers of the Church.
Papal Encyclicals Online
Award-winning reference site for papal encyclicals and other official teaching documents of the Catholic Church.
Award-winning reference site for papal encyclicals and other official teaching documents of the Catholic Church.