Joshua Bennett
Catholicism is a Christian religion and one of the three major branches of Christianity, along with Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism. It is led by the Pope, the bishop of Rome, and has been the decisive spiritual force in the history of Western civilization. Catholics belong to a Christ-centred community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation and strives to follow his teachings. They believe in the Holy Spirit and its powerful presence in the Church today, enabling the Lord to continue his saving mission. The Catholic Church teaches that it alone possesses the full means of salvation, and that the Church is the continuing presence of Jesus on earth.
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What You'll Learn
Catholics believe in the Holy Spirit and its presence in the Church
The Church was aware of the divinity of the Holy Spirit from its earliest days, as evidenced by the sacrament of Baptism. According to the authority of Jesus himself, all nations are to be baptised "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:20). John the Baptist prophesied that the Messiah's baptism would be a baptism "with the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 3:11). In the Gospel of John, Jesus connects baptism and new birth through the Spirit, stating that "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
The powerful moment of the Holy Spirit's coming took place in the incarnation of Christ, when the Spirit overshadowed Mary. The entire Trinity was at work in salvation history from the very creation of the world. The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom, knowledge, and various spiritual gifts to Catholics, as found in the Bible. These gifts include faith, hope, charity, and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, fortitude, knowledge, fear of the Lord, understanding, right counsel, and piety.
The Sacramental Liturgy is a powerful way that God is present to Catholics. In the Liturgy, God shows up and is made manifest through words and symbols. The Holy Eucharist is held as the summit of His presence, where God comes to meet and descend to humanity, and humans encounter Him. This is made possible by the action of the Holy Spirit within the Church.
The Holy Spirit is also believed to be present in liturgical actions such as Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, and the Anointing of the Sick. A sign of the Holy Spirit's presence in one's life is the evidence of spiritual fruit, which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal 5:22-23).
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Catholics believe in God's love and that Jesus Christ is the saviour
Catholics are part of a Christ-centred faith community that views Jesus Christ as the foundation of their beliefs. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh, and in Him, they find a friend, a brother, and their saviour. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ repaired the basis of the human-divine relationship, making it possible for humans to attain salvation.
Catholics believe that God is their loving Father and creator. God's love is limitless and sustains and supports them daily. They believe that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to suffer, die, and rise from the dead to save humanity and offer them the gift of eternal life. This belief is reflected in the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, who described prayer as "a surge of the heart, a simple look turned towards heaven, a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy."
The Catholic Church teaches that it possesses the full means of salvation through Christ's sacrifice. The liturgy and sacraments of the Church perpetuate the graces achieved through Christ's sacrifice, strengthening an individual's relationship with Christ and aiding in overcoming sin. Catholics believe that by reconciling with God and following Christ's words and deeds, they can enter the Kingdom of God.
Salvation, according to Catholic belief, is accessible through repentance, faith, and baptism. Repentance demonstrates a willingness to turn away from sin and towards God, while baptism renews individuals, filling them with grace and enabling them to live a life of faith. This faith is exhibited daily through good works and obedience to God's commands, as Catholics strive to follow Jesus' teachings and model their lives after his example of love.
Catholics also believe in the Holy Spirit's presence in the Church, enabling the continuation of Christ's saving mission. The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual gifts to the community, fostering their relationship with God and helping them live out their faith in service to others.
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Catholics believe in the importance of the Virgin Mary and the saints
Catholics do not worship saints or Mary; worship is reserved exclusively for God. However, Catholics believe that Mary intercedes for them with her Son, Jesus. They approach Mary as their spiritual mother, who leads them to God. Some might feel more comfortable approaching a mother figure than a father figure, and Mary fills this role.
Saints are individuals recognised by the Church for their exceptional holiness, who continue to be a part of the communion even after death. Catholics believe that saints can empathise with their struggles and serve as sources of inspiration and guidance. They are role models who led virtuous lives and overcame challenges through their faith. By praying to saints, Catholics seek their intercession and guidance in their relationship with God. They ask saints to pray for them, just as they would ask a friend or family member. Saints are believed to be closer to God and can therefore relay prayers.
Catholics often pray to specific saints associated with particular concerns, professions, or circumstances. For example, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost items.
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Catholics believe in the power of the sacraments
Catholics believe that the seven sacraments are sacred and visible signs that are instituted by Jesus to give them grace, an undeserved gift from God. The seven sacraments are:
Baptism
Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of initiation as a Christian. It washes away all sins, both original sin and personal actual sins. It makes a person a member of the church. It is conferred even on children, who, though they have no personal sins, need it on account of original sin.
Confirmation
Confirmation is the second sacrament. In John 16:13, the apostles who had already come to faith and believed in Jesus were told to "wait for the promise of the power of God". He promised to send the Holy Spirit, which he did at Pentecost. Confirmation is intended to bring an individual into the Church and create a deeper relationship with Christ.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is the third sacrament and completes Christian initiation. It is described as "the source and summit of the Christian life". The ceremony in which a Catholic first receives the Eucharist is known as First Communion. The Eucharistic celebration, also called the Mass or Divine Liturgy, includes prayers and scriptural readings, as well as an offering of bread and wine, which are consecrated by the priest to become the body and the blood of Jesus Christ.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation, also known as Confession, is the fourth sacrament. Jesus gave his apostles the ability to forgive sins in John 20:23. When Catholics confess their sins to a priest, they are following the plan laid down by Jesus Christ.
Anointing of the Sick
Jesus healed many people through prayer and gave power to his disciples to do the same.
Holy Orders
The first instance of the Sacrament of the Holy Orders was when Jesus told his apostles to "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 27:19). By doing so, he made them priests capable of consecrating the Eucharist.
Matrimony
The seventh sacrament, Matrimony, is a sacred and visible sign that is instituted by Jesus to give grace to those who enter into it.
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Catholics believe in the Church as a community
The Catholic Church is a community of believers united with Catholics worldwide. It is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2025. The word "Catholic" is Greek and means "universal", reflecting how different people, churches, and traditions come together as one Church, sharing the same beliefs. The Catholic Church is made up of 24 autonomous churches, including the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches, each with its own practices and rites. All Catholics are in union with the Pope, the bishop of Rome and the chief pastor of the Church, and share a common thread that binds them together.
Catholics believe in God as their loving Father and creator. They believe that God sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity and offer the gift of eternal life. Jesus is understood as both fully divine and fully human, including possessing a human soul, and his crucifixion is seen as a sacrifice to reconcile humanity to God. Catholics view the Church as the continuing presence of Jesus on Earth, possessing the full means of salvation. They believe that Christ's sacrifice achieved graces that strengthen their relationship with him and aid in overcoming sin.
The Eucharist, or the Mass, is a central sacrament for Catholics, described as "the source and summit of the Christian life". It involves prayers, scriptural readings, and the offering of bread and wine, which are consecrated by the priest to become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This sacrament represents Christ's sacrifice on the cross and unites Catholics with Christ and one another.
Catholics also believe in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church, enabling the Lord's saving mission to continue. The Spirit imparts spiritual gifts, wisdom, and knowledge, which are to be recognised and shared with the community. Catholics strive to follow Jesus' teachings, including loving God and others, practising forgiveness and mercy, and caring for the poor and helpless. They work for peace and justice in the world, bringing God's kingdom of peace, unity, and love.
Through their faith, Catholics are called to care for one another and use their unique gifts for the good of the community and the world. They believe in the importance of living a sacramental life, worshipping and praising God through their actions. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed, and the development of doctrine over time helps to explain and interpret the faith more deeply.
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Frequently asked questions
The word Catholic means “universal”. The Catholic Church has lived and continues to live in a diversity of cultures and languages because she is led by the Spirit of Christ to bring the Gospel to all peoples.
The Catholic Church has its origin in the Holy Trinity, and that is the source of her holiness. In his plan for the salvation of humanity, God the Father willed the existence of the Church.
Catholics believe in God the Father and creator, who sent his son Jesus Christ, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead, to save us and offer us the gift of eternal life. Catholics believe that the church has been chosen and sanctified by God to be a sacrament of Jesus Christ, to embody his person and mission.
The first sacrament of initiation is Baptism, which washes away all sins and makes a person a member of the church. The second is Confirmation, which completes the grace given in baptism. The third is the Eucharist, which is described as "the source and summit of the Christian life".
The Pope, currently Pope Leo XIV, is the bishop of Rome and serves as the leader of the Catholic Church.
