Rachel Evans
Being Catholic involves a serious commitment to God and the local Catholic community. Catholics are devoted to Mary, the Mother of God, and see the saints as examples of holiness and faith. They believe in God as their loving Father and creator, and in Jesus Christ as the foundation of their community. Catholics are called to care for one another and to use their gifts for the good of the world. Daily practices include prayer, performing works of mercy, and attending Mass. Catholics also strive to live a sacramental life, worshipping and praising God, and recognizing the importance of forgiveness.
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What You'll Learn
Daily prayer, such as the Rosary and Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, Work of God (Opus Dei) or Breviary, is a form of daily prayer in the Catholic Church. It is a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours consists of psalms, hymns, readings, and prayers according to the liturgical calendar. It is prayed at various times of the day, including morning, daytime, evening, and night.
The Liturgy of the Hours is not just for ordained or vowed religious; it is open to everyone. The Second Vatican Council encouraged the laity to take up the practice, and now many lay people recite portions of the Liturgy of the Hours. The laity are recommended to pray Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers), which are considered the chief hours.
The Liturgy of the Hours is available in four volumes in English, with Scripture readings from the New American Bible. Shorter editions are also available, such as Christian Prayer, Shorter Christian Prayer, and Daytime Prayer. There are also apps available, such as the iBreviary app and the DivineOffice app, which can help you establish a consistent daily prayer schedule.
The Rosary is another form of daily prayer in the Catholic Church. It is a private devotion that involves meditating on the mysteries of the life of Jesus Christ and praying the Hail Mary, the Our Father, and the Glory Be. The Rosary is typically prayed on a set of beads, with each bead representing a prayer.
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Recognise the importance of forgiveness
Forgiveness is a cornerstone of Catholic teaching. Jesus made it clear that we must be willing to forgive, as told in the Our Father: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). This is a powerful message, and Christ reinforced it by telling his followers that their heavenly Father will forgive them if they forgive others.
However, forgiveness is not about trivialising the wrongness of an action or feeling warm and positive towards the offender. It is about letting go of the desire for punishment and instead seeking restoration and good order. It is about looking beyond the injury to the person in need of mercy and healing. This is the way of the Gospel and how God deals with us.
The power to forgive sins was given to the apostles by Christ, who told them, "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" (John 20:21–23). This power was twofold: to forgive sins or to hold them bound, meaning to retain them unforgiven. Christ forgave sins during his life, as in the case of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1–11) and the woman who anointed his feet (Luke 7:48). He passed this power on to other men, including the apostles, so that the Church could continue his presence throughout time.
The transformative power of forgiveness is evident in the story of St. Maria Goretti, who, while being murdered, prayed for her killer. Later, she appeared to him in jail and forgave him, leading to his conversion and his eventual life as a religious brother. This story illustrates how forgiveness can bring about profound change in the world and in ourselves.
While forgiveness can be challenging, it is crucial to recognise its importance in the Catholic faith. By forgiving others, we open ourselves up to God's mercy and experience healing, hope, and restoration.
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Care for the community and the world
Caring for the community and the world is a central tenet of Catholicism. The religion emphasizes the importance of social justice and human rights advocacy, with Catholic organizations providing various community services worldwide.
Catholic Charities agencies, for instance, provide essential services to those in need, including housing, food, and healthcare. They also offer mental health services, addiction recovery support, and case management to help individuals reach their full potential. Similarly, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, delivering lifesaving emergency assistance to vulnerable individuals worldwide.
Catholics are encouraged to perform works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the sick. They are also called to care for the environment and address the root causes of injustice. This includes advocating for the poor and suffering and taking action to end global poverty and hunger.
On an individual level, Catholics can care for their community by building relationships and connecting with people daily, both online and in person. They can also glorify God through their actions by sharing their faith with others and loving their neighbors as themselves.
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Respect the dignity of all humans
The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred and that all human beings are created in the image of God. This belief is the foundation of the Church's social teaching and is central to Catholic doctrine. According to the Church, every person has an innate human dignity that cannot be taken away. This dignity is given freely to all human beings, regardless of their circumstances.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature". These rights are inherent and must be recognised by society. By ignoring or violating these rights, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy.
The Church identifies several threats to human dignity, including abortion, euthanasia, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, the death penalty, and the intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks. It also recognises sinful inequalities that affect millions, such as economic and social disparities, which contradict the Gospel's message. Other insults to human dignity include subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, and disgraceful working conditions.
To respect the dignity of all humans, Catholics are called to acknowledge the face of Christ in everyone they encounter. This means understanding that each person has inherent worth and value, and treating them with the reverence that is due to something holy and sacred. It also involves loving our neighbours as ourselves, building relationships, and caring for the spiritual and material welfare of others.
Catholics are encouraged to pray for others and perform works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, and visiting the imprisoned.
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Believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ
At the core of the Catholic faith is the belief in one God, who exists as three distinct yet inseparable persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This triune God is the creator and sustainer of the universe and is characterised by infinite love, mercy, and justice.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraphs 683 through 747, discusses the Holy Spirit, referring to Him as "I believe in the Holy Spirit". The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and is Almighty God. He is co-equal and co-eternal with God the Father and the Son of God. The Holy Spirit is also referred to as the Holy Ghost, and is signified by water and anointing with oil.
Catholics believe that God’s grace, a divine gift that enables spiritual growth and salvation, is imparted through seven sacraments instituted by Jesus Christ. These sacraments include:
- Baptism: This sacrament welcomes individuals into the Church and marks their membership in God’s family, cleansing them from original sin.
- Eucharist: The real presence of Jesus Christ in bread and wine, received through Holy Communion, provides spiritual nourishment.
- Confirmation: Confirmation empowers individuals with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to take ownership of their faith.
- Reconciliation (Confession): Through this sacrament, individuals receive forgiveness, healing, and transformation, restoring their friendship with God.
- Anointing of the Sick: This sacrament provides healing, forgiveness, and inner strength for those facing serious illness or the infirmities of old age.
- Holy Orders: The sacrament of ordination enables men to serve as deacons, priests, or bishops in the Church.
Living a full Catholic life involves daily prayer, loving one's neighbour, performing works of mercy, and studying the teachings of Christ and His Church. Catholics are also encouraged to use social media to glorify God, share scripture verses, and build relationships.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two essential aspects to becoming Catholic: receiving instruction in the faith and participating in the local Catholic community. Instruction involves learning about the teachings, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic Church. Participation involves attending Mass and becoming involved in parish life.
Catholics are expected to pray daily, especially the Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours. They should also perform the works of mercy, such as burying the dead and praying for the living and the dead. Catholics should also study the teachings of Christ and His Church and follow the Ten Commandments.
Catholics belong to a Christ-centered faith community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation. They believe in God as their loving Father and creator and that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to save them and offer them the gift of eternal life. Catholics are devoted to Mary, the Mother of God, and see the saints as true examples of holiness and faith. They pray through Mary and the saints and ask for their intercession.
The sacraments in the Catholic Church include the Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the real body and blood of Christ, and the sacrament of reconciliation, which offers the gift of forgiveness.
