Sarah Mitchell
The term practicing Catholic is ambiguous and subject to abuse by those who seek to justify their stances. It is often used to describe someone who actively pursues a relationship with God and puts their faith into action. According to the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, a practicing Catholic is a Catholic in good standing who participates fully in the worship and life of the Church, and who understands and accepts the teachings of the Church and moral demands of the Gospel. This includes attending Mass regularly, receiving the sacraments, and striving to live a virtuous life in accordance with the teachings of the Church. However, some people may consider themselves practicing Catholics even if they disagree with certain teachings or do not attend Mass regularly. The term can be interpreted differently depending on one's beliefs and level of participation in the Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A Catholic who abides by Catholic practices and teachings |
| Attendance at Mass | At least twice a month, but preferably once a week |
| Communion | Receives communion and lives by its teachings |
| Reconciliation | Must go to confession after committing a mortal sin before receiving communion |
| Holy Days of Obligation | Must attend Mass on Holy Days of Obligation |
| Prayer | Public and private prayer, including family prayer |
| Evangelization | Participates in the Church's mission of evangelization |
| Matrimony | Obeys the laws of the Church concerning matrimony and promotes an understanding of marriage in line with Catholic teaching |
| Progressive Issues | May struggle with progressive issues that are not aligned with Church teachings |
| Social Issues | Dedicates financial, emotional, and physical resources to reflecting the Kingdom of God on earth, including supporting pro-life initiatives and opposing capital punishment and unjust wars |
| Virtues | Cultivates human virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) |
| Sins to Avoid | Doubt, incredulity, heresy, despair, presumption, indifference, ingratitude, lukewarmness, acedia, hatred of God, superstition, idolatry, divination, magic or sorcery, Spiritism, tempting God, sacrilege, simony, atheism, abuse of God's name, blasphemy, false oaths, perjury, murder, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, scandal, excessive use of food/alcohol/tobacco/medicine, lust, masturbation, fornication, pornography, prostitution, rape, homosexual practices, contraception |
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What You'll Learn
Attending Mass
If you are attending Mass, it is respectful to dress formally and arrive early. You can use this time to pray and prepare for the service. During the Mass, you will be expected to be quiet and refrain from using your phone, as this can be disruptive to those around you. You can follow along with the Mass using the hymnal and missal books, which contain the songs, prayers, and readings for the service.
At the start of the Mass, you may see members of the congregation making the sign of the cross and using holy water. This is done with the right hand, touching the forehead, abdomen, and both shoulders, while saying, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen". Genuflection is also practised by some Catholics, which involves briefly placing your right knee on the ground as you face the tabernacle, before entering the pew.
During the liturgy, the priest will offer prayers and insights, and the congregation will pray as a community. Catholics believe that the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Out of respect for this belief, non-Catholics are asked not to receive Communion during the Mass.
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Following the Church's teachings
Following the teachings of the Catholic Church involves adhering to its beliefs and doctrines, which are based on the Gospel and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Church's teachings are structured in a hierarchy, from simple definitions to more complex and detailed doctrines.
At the core of Catholic teachings is the belief in God and the revelation of His "plan of loving goodness" through Jesus Christ. Catholics find meaning, hope, and salvation in Jesus, who is believed to be the Son of God sent into the world for the salvation of all peoples. The Church proclaims the Gospel and celebrates the Seven Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, through which God's presence is experienced.
Catholics are expected to cultivate both human virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) and theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity) while striving to keep the commandments. This includes avoiding sins such as doubt, heresy, blasphemy, murder, abortion, lust, and more. Attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation is also considered an essential practice for Catholics.
Additionally, the Catholic Church has specific teachings on a range of topics, including St. Peter and the Papacy, the interpretation of Sacred Scripture, the Holy Spirit, the Apostolic Tradition, and economic activity and social justice. The Church also emphasizes the importance of prayer, meditation, and contemplative practices.
In terms of social issues, the Catholic Church advocates for the protection of all human life and actively works for justice and charity. It also recognizes the distractions and influences of modern media and technology, such as television, radio, and the Internet, and offers guidance on their appropriate use.
Overall, following the teachings of the Catholic Church involves a commitment to faith, virtue, and a life led in accordance with the Gospel and the example of Jesus Christ.
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Cultivating virtues
The Catholic Church recognizes three distinct categories of virtues: Cardinal Virtues, Theological Virtues, and Capital Virtues.
Cardinal Virtues
The Cardinal Virtues are four foundational moral virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. They are called "cardinal" because they are the hinge on which all other virtues depend.
- Prudence is the ability to distinguish between good and bad in any situation and take appropriate action. It is considered the primary cardinal virtue by St. Thomas Aquinas as it is concerned with the intellect.
- Justice is the virtue of dealing equitably with others and giving everyone what is rightfully due to them. It is ranked as the second most important Cardinal Virtue by Aquinas as it deals with the will.
- Temperance helps to subdue sensual appetites and make proper use of God's creations.
- Fortitude, or courage, enables Christians to overcome their fears and continue their Christian tasks despite temptations to sin and despair.
Theological Virtues
Theological Virtues are not fully accessible to humans without God's assistance. They include faith, hope, and charity.
- Faith is an intellectual virtue, a firm belief in God and all that He has revealed through the Church. It manifests in how Catholics handle their daily lives, treat others, and in their devotions.
- Hope is the trust in God's promise to save believers from eternal death if they turn to Him in repentance.
- Charity is a two-fold grace. It moves the will to love God above all else and intensifies love for one's neighbor.
Capital Virtues
The seven Capital Virtues, also known as the contrary or remedial virtues, stand in opposition to the seven deadly sins. They include chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility.
To cultivate virtues, Catholics are encouraged to pray for guidance and strength. They should strive to live a life of faith, abide by Catholic practices, and participate fully in the life and worship of the Church. This includes attending Mass regularly, obeying the Church's laws, and promoting Catholic teachings.
Additionally, Catholics can cultivate virtues by observing and learning from older and wiser individuals within their community. This practice allows them to acquire virtues through emulation and habitual action. By embodying these virtues in their daily lives, Catholics can strengthen their relationship with God and live according to the moral parameters set forth by the Gospel.
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Putting faith into action
Faith in the Catholic context is a call to action, requiring ongoing commitment and engagement with the world. It is integral to the process of salvation, through which individuals accept God's grace and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This faith is understood in conjunction with the sacraments and the moral life, demonstrating that salvation involves both belief and action.
Catholics are called to live out their faith by embodying love, charity, and justice in their daily lives. This involves keeping the commandments and striving to avoid sins such as voluntary doubt, incredulity, heresy, blasphemy, murder, lust, and more. Attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation is also considered an important practice for Catholics.
For those seeking to put their faith into action, here are some suggestions:
- Devote time to reading and reflecting on God's word, such as Acts 2:42-47, to strengthen your faith and stir you to faith-filled action.
- Cultivate both human virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) in your daily life.
- Engage with the Church community and participate in its worship and life, seeking to understand and accept its teachings.
- Recognize the importance of generosity and sharing, as modeled by God's disciples, and put this into practice in your own life.
- Pray and fast, participating in the sacraments and seeking to live in accordance with God's will.
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Progressive beliefs
At the heart of progressive Catholicism is the belief that Christian doctrine must evolve with the times. Progressives argue that the age of oppression has given way to an age of freedom, and this new era demands a re-evaluation of traditional beliefs. This evolution of thought is often referred to as a "Copernican revolution" in the Church's self-understanding.
Progressive Catholics tend to embrace a more inclusive and socially-minded interpretation of the Gospel, focusing on issues beyond sexuality. They advocate for social justice, the protection of the environment, and support policies that address the needs of the marginalised and the poorest in society. This progressive agenda is often at odds with more conservative interpretations of Catholic doctrine, which tend to focus on issues such as abortion, contraception, and homosexuality.
The Mass and other obligatory services are a key component of Catholic practice. However, progressive Catholics may struggle with the expectation to attend these regularly, especially if they feel the teachings of the Church do not align with their beliefs. This conflict between personal beliefs and the Church's doctrine can make it challenging for progressive Catholics to fully participate in the life of the Church.
The term "practicing Catholic" is ambiguous and open to interpretation. While some progressive Catholics may not attend Mass regularly or follow all the Church's teachings, they may still consider themselves practicing due to their strong personal relationship with God. They strive to embody the Gospel's mandate of love and apply it to their political positions, advocating for the common good.
In conclusion, progressive beliefs within Catholicism represent a desire to adapt the faith to the modern age and embrace a more inclusive and socially-minded interpretation of the Gospel. While progressive Catholics may struggle with certain aspects of traditional Catholic practice, they remain committed to their faith and seek to live out its values in their own way.
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Frequently asked questions
A practicing Catholic is someone who actively pursues a relationship with God and puts their faith into action. This involves striving to cultivate the human virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and the theological virtues (faith, hope, charity) while obeying the laws of the Church.
There is some debate about the requirements to be considered a practicing Catholic. Some believe that attending Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is sufficient, while others suggest that it also includes receiving the sacraments, participating in the Church's mission, and promoting the Church's teachings on marriage and other progressive issues.
It depends on the issue and the individual's perspective. If someone disagrees with the Church on fundamental matters, it could be argued that they are disagreeing with God. However, it is important to note that the term practicing Catholic is vague and subject to interpretation. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to discern their relationship with the Church and their faith.
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