The Basics of Catholicism
By Scott P. Richert, About.com Guide to Catholicism
Learn about the basics of the Catholic Faith. What does the Catholic Church teach about the Trinity, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the role of the Catholic Church, the seven Sacraments, Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, the Virgin Mary, and the saints? Discover basic Catholic prayers and practices, and begin to learn more about Catholicism!
- God, the Source of Life
- The Church, Christ's Life on Earth
- The Sacraments, the Life of Christians
- The Baltimore Catechism
- Catholicism by the Numbers
- The Saints and Sainthood
- What Does the Catholic Church Say About . . .
- Basic Catholic Prayers
God, the Source of Life
The essence of Catholicism is the worship of God, and the right ordering of our lives in relation to Him. But what does the Church teach about God? What do we know about the Trinity and the nature of Christ? How does the Holy Spirit act in our lives?
- What Are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
- The Chalcedonian Creed
- What Are the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit?
The Church, Christ's Life on Earth
When Christ ascended into Heaven after His Resurrection, He promised to send His Spirit to guide His followers who remained behind. The Holy Spirit guides the Church throughout history, which is how we know that what the Church teaches is true. Learn more about the structure and history of the Church, as well as the role She plays in the everyday life of Christians.
- Catholicism 101
- The Papacy of the Catholic Church
- Popes of the Roman Catholic Church
- The Office of Bishop in the Catholic Church
The Sacraments, the Life of Christians
The Catholic Church recognizes seven sacraments, instituted by Christ. Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick are the heart of the life of the Catholic Church. When we participate in them worthily, each sacrament provides us with graces—with the life of God in our soul. Find out more about these outward signs of inward grace.
- Sacraments 101
- What Are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church?
- The Sacrament of Baptism
- The Sacrament of Confirmation
- The Sacrament of Holy Communion
- The Sacrament of Confession
- The Sacrament of Marriage
- The Sacrament of Holy Orders
- The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
The Baltimore Catechism
The Baltimore Catechism is the most famous Catholic catechism (a summary of Christian beliefs in question and answer form) produced in America. These are the lessons from the Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (Confirmation Edition).
- On the End of Man - Lesson First
- On God and His Perfections - Lesson Second
- On the Unity and Trinity of God - Lesson Third
- On Creation - Lesson Fourth
- On Our First Parents and the Fall - Lesson Fifth
Catholicism by the Numbers
There is one God; there are two natures in Christ; there are three Persons in the Holy Trinity . . . You can learn a lot about Catholicism just by counting up the numbers.
- What Are the Three Theological Virtues?
- What Are the Four Cardinal Virtues?
- What Are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church?
- What Are the Seven Deadly Sins?
- What Are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
- What Are the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit?
The Saints and Sainthood
Learn about the saints of the Catholic Church and find prayers to, and by, these holy men and women. Connect yourself with the history and spirituality of the Catholic Church by joining in the communion of saints.
What Does the Catholic Church Say About . . .
Examine the news through the eyes of the Catholic Church. Find out what the Church teaches about the controversial moral issues of the day. Explore relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations, as well as non-Christian religions. Find the latest news from inside the Church herself. This is your Catholic window on the world!
- The Catholic Church's Teaching on Stem-Cell Research
- What Is the Papacy's Response to the War in Iraq?
- The Just War Theory of the Catholic Church
- Why Can't Women Be Priests?
Basic Catholic Prayers
Every Catholic should know some prayers by heart. From the Sign of the Cross to basic morning and evening prayers, we should memorize the standard prayers of the Church to use as a starting point in our daily prayer. As our prayer life deepens, we can learn more about special prayers of the Church, such as rosaries, chaplets, and novenas.
