Basic description of Catholicism
- The Nicene Creed describes the basic beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We * believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Throughhim all things were made. For us men and our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became a man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended intoheaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Source: Pilz, Nicole R, "Roman Catholicism," New Religious Movements, Nov. 22, 2006. http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/roman_catholicism.html.
- Some Fundamental Catholic Beliefs:
(1) Jesus is the son of God and his only incarnation
(2) Their Deity is God Almighty, made up of the holy trinity: God (the Father), Jesus (the Son),and the Holy Spirit.
(3) The Bible is the Holy book for Catholics and contains accounts of the Origin of the Universe and Mankind along
with other scripture.
(4) Heaven and Hell exist. God judges each person in death and sends them to either heaven or hell. Heaven is being
with God, Hell is being alienated from God.
(5) Christ will come again at the end of the world and will judge all humankind.
(6) All humans are sinners and can find salvation only in the Catholic Church and in belief in God.
(7) All are saved, but Catholics must pray, do good works, be baptized, and must repent after sinning (confess their
sins to a priest).
(8) Catholics receive Communion, which is the symbolic drinking and eating of the blood and body of Christ that he
gave for each person when he sacrificed his life to save mankind.
(9) The source of evil and temptation to stray from God's righteous way in the world is Satan. He is present on
Earth and is also the cause of pain and suffering.
(10) The Pope is the main authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
Source: Beliefnet Inc., "Christianity: Catholic," Beliefnet, Nov. 20, 2006. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8030_1.html
The Seven Sacrements (Sacrements are a way to attain the Grace of God and though that Grace, Salvation)
(1)Baptism
(2)Confirmation
(3)Eucharist (Holy Mass): The Mass is the center of Catholic worship. In Mass Catholics receive Communion
(4)Penance
(5)Anointing of the Sick
(6)Holy Orders
(7)Marriage
Source: Pilz, Nicole R, "Roman Catholicism," New Religious Movements, Nov. 22, 2006. http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/roman_catholicism.html.
Catholic Prayers:
The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed:
I believe in God, the father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Hail Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Source: Beliefnet Inc., "Catholic Daily Prayers," Beliefnet, Nov. 20, 2006. http://www.beliefnet.com/prayeroftheday/more_prayers.asp?paid=79&faid=1
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