Catholic Beliefs

Catholic Beliefs, Teachings, Catechism Gifts & Virtues of Christian Living

Sacraments
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation/Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders

Ten Commandments
1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to you neighbor.

Holy Days of Obligation
Catholics Celebrate the following feasts by participating in the Eucharist on the day of the feast or the evening before.
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: January 1
Ascension: Fortieth day after Easter
Assumption: August 15
All Saints’ Day: November 1
Immaculate Conception: December 8
Christmas: December 25

Days of Fast:
To fast is to eat only one full meal and two lighter meals that do not equal the main meal. Catholics must fast from their 21st birthday to their 59th birthday on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Days of Abstinence
Catholics fourteen years and older are bound to abstain form meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during Lent.

Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Corporal Works of Mercy
Feed the hungry.
Give drink to the thirsty.
Clothe the naked.
Visit the sick.
Shelter the homeless.
Visit the imprisoned.
Bury the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy
Warn the sinner.
Instruct the ignorant.
Counsel the doubtful.
Comfort the sorrowing.
Bear wrongs patiently.
Forgive all injuries.
Pray for the living and the dead.

Precepts of the Church
1. To worship God by participating in Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. To receive Holy Communion frequently and the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
3. To study Catholic teachings in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed,
and then to continue to study and advance the cause of Christ.
4. To observe the marriage laws of the Church.
5. To strengthen and support the Church.
6. To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days.
7. To join in the missionary spirit and apostolate of the Church.

Theological Virtues: faith, hope, love (charity)

Cardinal Virtues: prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude

Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, understanding, right judgment (counsel), courage, knowledge, reverence (piety), wonder and awe (fear of the Lord)

Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
charity, benignity, faith, joy, goodness, modesty, peace, longanimity, contingency, patience, mildness, chastity

Capital Sins: (sometimes referred to as the ‘seven deadly sins’)
1. Pride 2.Covetousness 3. Lust 4. Anger 5. Gluttony 6. Envy 7. Sloth

Capital Virtues
1. Humility 2. Generosity 3. Chastity 4. Mildness
5. Temperance 6. Friendship 7. Diligence

Marks of the Church:
one, holy, catholic, apostolic

Liturgical Year and its Seasons -
The entire Church year (liturgical year) revolves around the life of Christ. The year begins with the season of Advent (preparing for his coming). We next celebrate Jesus’ coming at Christmas. In Lent we prepare for the Resurrection which is celebrated on Easter. During the weeks of Ordinary Time we consider Jesus’ life.
Seasons: Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time, Christ the King

Parts of the Mass: (There are four parts to the Mass)

Introductory Rites
Entrance Procession and Song
Sign of the Cross and Greeting
Penitential Rite
Glory to God

Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Alleluia or Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily
Profession of Faith
General Intercessions

Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of the Gifts (Prayer over the Gifts)
Eucharistic Prayer (Preface; Holy, Holy, Holy; Institution Narrative and Consecration; Offering; Great Amen
Communion Rite (Lord’s Prayer; Sign of Peace; Breaking of the Bread: Lamb of God; Communion; Prayer after Communion

Concluding Rite
Blessing
Dismissal

Sanctuary – Sacred Vessels – Vestments
The priest wears an alb, the stole and a chasuble. The bishop also wears a special hat called a miter and carries a staff called a crosier.

Sanctuary is the area in the Church that contains the altar and ambo (which is the term for the lectern). On the lectern or ambo, is the lectionary which contains the scriptural readings for the liturgical year.

Placed in the center of the altar is a square piece of cloth called the corporal. On it rests the paten (plate) and chalice (cup) where the bread and wine are consecrated is placed. Near the altar is a table called the credence table where two cruets (wine and water) are placed and a lavabo dish which is the dish that the priest uses to wash his hands. The tabernacle is also found on or near the altar which contains the consecrated hosts that are kept in a ciborium. Near the tabernacle is a sanctuary lamp that is lit to show the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.. When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration, it is placed inside a metal holder that is called a monstrance.