What do Catholics believe?

Question

Can you break down the belief of Catholics? What do they believe? What are their practices? How often do they have to confess? What is a hail mary? What is mass? I know absolutely nothing about it and I was interested in it.

For the record, I am a Christian (pentecostal Holiness).

Answer 1

+ Catholic Beliefs +

The Nicene Creed is a summary of Catholic belief: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11049a.htm

For a complete description of what Catholics believe, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm

+ Practices +

Our main practices revolve around the seven sacraments:

The Sacraments of Christian Initiation
+ Baptism: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#art1
+ Confirmation: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art2.htm
+ Eucharist: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm

The Sacraments of Healing
+ Reconciliation: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm#art4
+ Anointing of the Sick: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2art5.htm

The Sacraments at the Service of Communion
+ Holy Orders: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3.htm#art6
+ Matrimony: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.htm

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/parttwotoc.htm

+ Reconciliation and Confession +

Catholics should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation whenever he or she has completely cut oneself off from God (in the state of mortal sin) and at least as once a year.

Catholics may receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation whenever he or she feels that they need to be reconciled to God and the Church.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2.htm

+ The Hail Mary +

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28)

"Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Luke 1:42).

The Hail Mary prayer simply recites Bible passages (the Word of God) and asks Mary to pray for us:

Hail Mary Full of grace, the Lord is with you. (These are the words the angel Gabriel said to Mary, a Bible quote.)

Blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. (This is Mary's cousin Elizabeth's greeting, another bible quote.)

Holy Mary, (The angel Gabriel said she was full of grace and Elizabeth said she was blessed.)

Mother of God, (the Bible says Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, God the Son)

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. (A simple request to pray for us.)

Amen.

+ The Mass +

The Mass:
+ Is the principal sacramental celebration of the Catholic Church
+ Was established by Jesus at the Last Supper
+ Renews the mystery of our salvation through participation in the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Christ

In the Mass, we:
+ Gather as one family
+ Admit our sins, ask God for forgiveness, and the saints and each other for prayer and support
+ Glorify God
+ Listen to, ponder and reflect on His Word from the Scriptures
+ Pray for the Church, the world, those in need, and ourselves
+ Celebrate the Eucharist (Holy Communion) in obedience with Christ's command to "do this in memory of me."
+ Are sent out into the world to love and serve the Lord and one another

It is called "Mass" (from the Latin missa) because of the "mission" or "sending" with which the liturgical celebration concludes.

For more information, see the General Instruction of the Roman Missal: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3a

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

In a nutshell, here is their beliefs that should keep you on the path that you are on now, and off their path. I, too am a Pentecostal.
1.) They believe that the sacrifice that Christ made for our sins was not good enough. Therefore, they invented Purgatory, a fictional place that souls that were not quite good enough for heaven go, until someone prays enough for them to be let out of there, and into heaven. When, in reality, none of us are good enough for heaven, and it is ONLY through Christ that we may enter in.

2.) Jesus said plainly that He was the only intercessor between man and God. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Catholics do not believe this truth of Christ, either. They try to use the mother of Jesus to intercede for them, as well as those that the Vatican has declared to be "saints", by praying to them, and asking them to intercede for them. This cheapens the deity of Christ, as if what He said was not quite true. Jesus Christ is the ONLY intercessor that you need, not to mention the only intercessor that you CAN use to talk to the Father. Those that the catholic church calls saints, as well as Mary, are dead, and cannot intercede for you.

There are other reasons to stay away from them, but that there is more than reason enough. It was the Romans that crucified Christ. It was the Romans that persecuted the followers of Christ, and killed many of the disciples in the early years of Christ's church, and it was the Romans that tried to stop the gospel of Christ from spreading. But they want us to believe that they are THE authority on all things holy and godly? I do not think so.
Read. Study. Learn. My family was catholic, so I know about their lies and false teachings. God bless.

Answer 3

As some of the previous answers say, the best thing for you to do, would be to get a Catholic Catechism.

Besides, you could attend a course in the church. Ask a priest about that

Answer 4

The NICENE CREED

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Answer 5

Whoa, decelerate there. you're all mixed up. Catholics have faith that in the event that they have sinned, they could desire to *make it precise with God* via confessing and repenting of that sin till now they obtain the Holy Eucharist. it relatively is because's what Jesus reported to do -- He reported that while you're bringing something to the altar yet your heart isn't precise, to flow away your offering and flow restoration the region or your offering heavily isn't worth. additionally, Catholics are not traumatic approximately purely bread and wine. we are conversing with regard to the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Communion, which Paul tells us in Scripture *could* be fed on worthily, or we "consume and drink judgement upon ourselves." we've not got faith that the pope has by no skill sinned. in fact, he is going to confession weekly, and he would not could do this if he by no skill sinned. you're mixing up a doctrine that we call 'papal infallibility,' which has no longer something to do with in spite of if or no longer the pope is a sinner. Papal infallibility is a particular provision of the Holy Spirit that enables a pope to talk specifically a pair of specific doctrine without blunders. it relatively is fairly not often invoked -- i think of it relatively is occurred like two times, and purely after YEARS of prayer and bible learn have shown that the assertion is authentic. We have faith that Mary became into saved from all sin via Jesus, which i'm specific you settle he's incredibly able to doing. We have faith that Mary became into saved before everything of her life as a substitute of on the top of it (like something human beings) to confirm that her to have the potential to bear the Christ baby. think of if she were a sinner -- the satisfaction, the laziness, and so on. that she could have suffered if Jesus hadn't saved her ahead. we've not got faith that saints by no skill sinned. a number of our saints (Augustine is composed of techniques) have been downright detrimental sinners. yet they have been saved via Jesus. we don't worship Mary. We purely appreciate her because of the fact the mummy of our Lord and Savior. Our important worship service is the Mass, and in case you ever drop in and flow to Mass sometime, you will see that it relatively is all approximately Jesus. Mary is not often reported. The Bible would not say that Mary lost her virginity. It purely says she became right into a virgin whilst she conceived and bore Christ. It would not say yet another be conscious approximately her virginity after that. It by no skill says she lay with Joseph. It by no skill says she had any baby different than Jesus.

Answer 6

Way too much to answer in this post. Read the Apostles Creed and that is the basics

Answer 7

Try this link:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

Send for my free Catholic Resource CD to learn even more.

Answer 8

hehehehhehehhehe..... you sound frustrated here fellow pentecostal sistah.... but I feel you pain.....
I will however warn you that a few of "them" are going to start referring you to a bunch of catholics websites so .... when you've done all you can...STAND!

Answer 9

buy a copy of the catechism of the catholic church

Answer 10

What we believe in a nutshell.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22What+do+Catholics+Believe%22&btnG=Google+Search

The Holy Sacrfice of the Mass is the re-enactment of the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. Therein 4 citations are read from Holy Scripture (from the Psalms, the OT, the epistles and the Gospels/Revelation n.b. by this approach the Catholic Church proceeds through the complete Bible every 3 years); a homily by the priest, which is usually a discussion of the readings, and the bloodless-sacrifice of the consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

Joh 6:53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you;
Joh 6:54 he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.


INTERCESSORY PRAYER OF THE SAINTS

http://scripturecatholic.com/saints.html

The Blessed Mother is as human as you or I.....but of course is in Heaven now. The first chapter of John tells us that:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

and then:

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.

That is to say that Jesus is God. Now, it was the Will of God the Father that His only begotten Son come down to Earth and take on flesh and sacrifice His body on the cross for man's sins. The Blessed Mother provided the flesh. Therefore, she is the 'Mother of God.....Jesus".

Now, Jesus is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (1Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; Rev 19:16). As Jesus is the King, His Mother is then the QUEEN MOTHER.

Now, the purpose of the Queen Mother in the Davidic Kingdoms (Jesus is a decendant of David) is to plead for the people of Israel before the king. That is, the Queen Mother is the ADVOCATE for the people. Why because men have a difficult time turning down their mothers. Do you remember the Jesus could not turn down the Blessed Mother in her request at the wedding feast at Cana (See the 2nd chapter of John)?

Consider the following:

"…Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, and the king stood up to meet her and paid her homage. Then he sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the king's mother, who sat at his right. "There is one small favor I would ask of you," she said. "Do not refuse me." "Ask it, my mother," the king said to her, "for I will not refuse you…". (Cf. I Kings 2:19-20)

The Blessed Mother of God is the fairest daughter of the Father, the Mother of the Son and the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. She has a relationship with the Holy Trinity unlike any other creature. Her role as Advocate for the children of God is unlike any other creature’s as well.


Dr. Miravalle described it this way: "In the great Davidic kingdoms of the Old Testament, the mother of the king traditionally held the office of the "Queen Mother" (or "Gebirah" in Hebrew, literally meaning "the Great Lady", (Cf. 1Ki 2:11,19). The principal role of the Queen Mother was to serve as advocate or intercessor on behalf of the people of Israel to her son the King.

"In the New Testament, with the announcement of the new and eternal King and Kingdom of God (Cf. Lk. 1:32-33), so too humanity receives a new Queen Mother, as principal advocate for the people of God in presenting their needs to Jesus Christ, the King of kings. .Her advocacy is clearly manifest at Cana, interceding on behalf of those without physical wine, but ultimately for the spiritual and Eucharistic wine of her Son (Jn.2:1-10). At Calvary, the Crucified King presents his Mother and Queen to the world as gift to all in his Kingdom (Jn. 19:27). And in Revelation, the new Queen Mother in the universal and everlasting Kingdom of Christ is crowned with twelve stars (Rev. 12:1), as she, in battle array, continues her life and death advocacy for humanity against the spiritual warring of the Dragon-Adversary.”

NOW.......we know that the term "Israel refers to "THE PEOPLE OF GOD". Since we Christians have accepted Jesus, we are the NEW ISRAEL. (See 1Pet 2:9-10; Gal 4:28-31; Gal 6:14-16; Mat 21:43).

THEREFORE, Catholics pray to the Blessed Mother to plead for our petitions and prayers before her Son, Jesus, on our behalf. She is VERY INFLUENCIAL WITH JESUS. Consider Catholic pray the "Hail Mary":

"Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. Amen."

As you can see, we pray to her begging her to plead with her Son (who is God) to answer our prayers. No, she is not a goddess.....and we are not to worship her as one....that is forbidden.

I suggest that you re-read what I have posted here and also read the references to the Holy Bible.

Blessed Mary why honor her?
http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/honr.htm

Veneration of the Blessed Mother of God.
http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/ven.htm


APOLOGETIC SITES:

Scripture Alone? Is Half the Story Sufficient”
http://www.call2holiness.org/ScriptureAlone/ScriptureAlone.htm

The Theological Works of Fr. William G. Most
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/most/

Scripture Catholic
http://scripturecatholic.com/index.html

The Catholic Treasure Chest
http://home.inreach.com/~bstanley/

Catholic Doctrinal Concordance
http://www.infpage.com/concordance/

Catholic Answers
http://www.catholic.com/

The Holy Bible
http://www.awmach.org/BDY/dochome.htm

The Catechism of the Catholic Church - Electronic Search
http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/index.cfm

The Catechism of the Catholic Church - Topical
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm

The Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/index.html

Our Lady's Warriors
http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/

The Holy See
http://www.vatican.va/

Both Faith and Good Works Required
http://www.call2holiness.org/faith.html

The Myth of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture
http://www.call2holiness.org/mythofrapture/MythofRaptureHTML.htm

On the End Times:
http://www.call2holiness.org/era-of-peace.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/era-of-peace/