The Basics of Catholicism
By Scott P. Richert, About.com Guide
- Catholic Dictionary, A-M
- Catholic Dictionary, N-Z
- Catholicism by the Numbers
- The Baltimore Catechism, Part I
- The Baltimore Catechism, Part II
- God, the Source of Life
- The Church, Christ's Life on Earth
- The Sacraments, the Life of Christians
- Basic Catholic Prayers
- The Saints and Sainthood
- What Does the Catholic Church Say About . . .
- Reader Questions
Catholic Dictionary, A-M
Wondering what a particular Catholic term means, or what a common term might mean to Catholics? You'll find the answer in the Catholic dictionary! This section covers words beginning with the letters A-M.
Catholic Dictionary, N-Z
Wondering what a particular Catholic term means, or what a common term might mean to Catholics? You'll find the answer in the Catholic dictionary! This section covers words beginning with the letters N-Z.
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 Baltimore Catechism, Part I
The Baltimore Catechism is the most famous Catholic catechism (a summary of Christian beliefs in question and answer form) produced in America. These are Lessons 1-20 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
- On Sin and Its Kinds - Lesson Sixth
- On the Incarnation and Redemption - Lesson Seventh
- On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension - Lesson Eighth
- On the Holy Ghost and His Descent Upon the Apostles - Lesson Ninth
- On the Effects of the Redemption - Lesson Tenth
- On the Church - Lesson Eleventh
- On the Attributes and Marks of the Church - Lesson Twelfth
- On the Sacraments in General - Lesson Thirteenth
- On Baptism - Lesson Fourteenth
- On Confirmation - Lesson Fifteenth
- On the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost - Lesson Sixteenth
- On the Sacrament of Penance - Lesson Seventeenth
- On Contrition - Lesson Eighteenth
- On Confession - Lesson Nineteenth
- On the Manner of Making a Good Confession - Lesson Twentieth
The Baltimore Catechism, Part II
The Baltimore Catechism is the most famous Catholic catechism (a summary of Christian beliefs in question and answer form) produced in America. These are Lessons 21-37 from the Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (Confirmation Edition).
- On Indulgences - Lesson Twenty-First
- On the Holy Eucharist - Lesson Twenty-Second
- On the Reasons Why the Eucharist Was Instituted - Lesson Twenty-Third
- On the Sacrifice of the Mass - Lesson Twenty-Fourth
- On Extreme Unction and Holy Orders - Lesson Twenty-Fifth
- On Matrimony - Lesson Twenty-Sixth
- On the Sacramentals - Lesson Twenty-Seventh
- On Prayer - Lesson Twenty-Eighth
- On the Commandments of God - Lesson Twenty-Ninth
- On the First Commandment - Lesson Thirtieth
- On the Honor and Invocation of Saints - Lesson Thirty-First
- From the Second to the Fourth Commandment - Lesson Thirty-Second
- From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment - Lesson Thirty-Third
- From the Seventh to End of Tenth Commandment - Lesson Thirty-Fourth
- On the First Two Commandments of the Church - Lesson Thirty-Fifth
- On the Remaining Commandments of the Church - Lesson Thirty-Sixth
- On the Last Things, Hell, Purgatory, Heaven - Lesson Thirty-Seventh
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
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.
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?
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. These links will take you to my answers to Reader Questions from each year.