   |
|
|
|
|
Catholics are Sacramental People |
Catholicism is a way of believing, a way of praying and a way of living. Catholicism is rich, complex, and multi-faceted. It cannot be summed up in a single image or text or practice or even as the sum of many images, beliefs and practices. The five themes described in this section attempt to provide an broad overview or "picture" of what Catholicism is about, without attempting to be exhaustive or complete. Click on the links at left for further information.
|
 |
|
 |
"There is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism " Ephesians 4: 5 "We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, creator of heaven and earth ... (Nicene Creed, 325 A.D.) Catholics share with other Christians a common faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of all people. At every Mass, Catholics proclaim the ancient Nicene Creed, which is shared by Christians everywhere. Faith in Jesus Christ is proclaimed using the Apostles Creed before a person is baptized with water "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. " (Matthew 28: 19) Catholicism is a Biblical faith, rooted in the Bible as the revealed Word of God. With other Christians, Catholics read from the Bible at every service. The Second Vatican Council encouraged Catholics to read and study the Bible and Bible study groups are found at many Catholic churches. Catholic doctrine is rooted in Scripture as God's Word, along with the living faith of the Christian Community. Three readings (texts from the Old Testament, New Testament Epistle, and Gospel) are proclaimed using a three-year cycle of readings, to enable Catholics to hear a greater portion of the Bible at Sunday Mass. Many of the prayers and song texts are taken from the Book of Psalms and other Bible passages. Especially since Vatican II's "Decree on Ecumenism" the Catholic Church has been committed to Ecumenical dialogue and cooperation, seeking to fulfill Jesus' prayer "that they may all be one. " (John 17: 21) Sharing with Christian brothers and sisters emphasizes the Christian faith which all share. |
|
|
|
|
|
"The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings" Acts 15 "Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is one body and one spirit, just as there is one hope held out in God's call to you " Ephesians 4: 3-4 Catholicism is a communal, rather than a private religion. Although personal prayer and devotion are important in Catholic piety, common prayer as a faith community is central to Catholic life. Catholics value the wisdom of the whole community and look to the church community for definitive interpretation of the Bible and church doctrine. Organizationally, the Catholic church is a "communion of communities." Parishes are not separate, independent congregations, but are in union with one another. A Diocese is made up of the parishes of a particular area united with the Bishop, who serves as the chief shepherd and sign of unity. Each diocese is itself a "local church;" it is not like a "branch of rice" of the "central headquarters" in Rome. The whole Catholic church consists of all the local churches united with one another and in communion with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. |
| Catholics are Sacramental People | |
|
|
|
 |
"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands " I John 1: 1 Catholics reverence creation because it comes from God. The Bible is filled with images drawn from nature to teach and express religious belief. For example, the book of Psalms often uses images from the natural world to express the awe, glory, power, beauty and majesty of God. Jesus himself used images drawn from nature and human experience --the mustard seed, the lilies of the field, the birds of air, a lost coin, yeast and dough, a wedding banquet --to teach about God and God's ways. Jesus also used natural materials like soil and moisture in cures (see the cure of the blind man in John 9). At the Last Supper, Jesus used bread and wine and identified it with his own body and blood. Catholicism uses materials from the natural world-water, oil, bread, wine, light-in its prayer and ritual to make visible the presence and action of God, who is unseen. Especially important are the seven rituals known as the Sacraments: Each Sacrament uses particular gestures and/or materials as an essential part of the rite. These signs and symbols are used ritually to reveal God's love and grace blessing, healing, forgiving, nourishing, strengthening believers at every stage of life's journey. |
|
|
|
|
|
"Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. " Acts 2: 46 "You, then are the body of Christ. Every one of you is a member of it. " I Corinthians 12.27 "Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body for we all partake of the one loaf. " I Corinthians 10. 17 The Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) has always been at the center of Catholic life and worship. From the earliest days, believers gathered to celebrate Eucharist-the "breaking of the bread" described in Acts. On Sundays, Feast days, special occasions, Catholics celebrate the Mass as the highest form of worship. Catholics believe that Jesus' words at the last supper "This is my body" and "This is my blood" (Mark 14: 22-23) were literally true and that Jesus commanded his believers to continue this practice when he told them "do this in memory of me. " (1 Corinthians 10: 23-26) Hence, Catholics believe that Christ is truly present in the bread and wine blessed at Mass. Catholics believe that in Communion they truly receive the Body and Blood of Christ. "Communion" literally means "in union with" and when the receive Communion, Catholics are united with Christ and also with one another. In the Eucharist, Catholics "become what they celebrate. " Through Communion, Catholics believe that they truly are the "body of Christ" present in the world. For an in-depth discussion of the Eucharist, click on the Eucharist link. |
Catholics are Kingdom People
|
|
|
|
|
 |
"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ... " The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6) "Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world For I was hungry and you gave me food ... " Matthew 25: 34-35 Catholics believe that God intends a world of justice and peace for all people, a world in which there is harmony in all creation. Faith calls Catholics to work toward creating such a society and world. This belief undergirds the church's charitable work of caring for the sick and suffering, the homeless and the needy. It is also the basis for Catholic social teaching and the Catholic Church's advocacy on behalf of peace and justice, the protection of human life and the dignity of each person. Yet Catholics also remember Jesus' words "my kingdom is not here" (John 18). While Catholics reverence human life and existence, this life is the ultimate goal or destiny of human existence. Catholics and other Christians understand themselves as a pilgrim people, journeying through this life toward the fullness of life, eternal life with God. With other believers, Catholics wait and hope for "the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come. " (Nicene Creed) |
|
|
|
|
Catholics have always honored saints, who are the heroes and heroines of the Church. Catholics see saints as models or examples of Christian belief and living. The lives of individual saints can serve as a model of virtue: courage amidst suffering, forgiveness of wrongs, generosity, charity, wisdom, kindness, patience, honesty, humility, justice, compassion. By studying the lives of such women and men, believers of today can receive inspiration and guidance to live a more Christian life. A contemporary example Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Although not a formally canonized saint, she has profoundly influenced thousands of people throughout the world. Saints are also seen as a source of spiritual wisdom and guidance. Many of the saints were recognized for their holiness during their lifetimes and were sought out by others as guides on the spiritual journey. Countless individuals still study and receive spiritual guidance from the writings of St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Dominic, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare and other "spiritual masters." The writings and teachings of such "friends of God," can lead an individual to greater spiritual understanding and insight. Catholics also believe in the "communion of saints." For Catholics, saints are members of the Church, who are believed to be with God in heaven but who are still united with believers of today through a common faith and Baptism. As fellow believers, saints can support Christians of today through their prayer and intercession. In Catholic belief, "praying to a Saint" is simply asking that Saint to join with the believer to pray to God for a particular need. It is basically the same one person asking another for his or her prayers for a particular need or intention. For example, St. Blaise is the patron saint for deliverance from throat ailments. Blaise was a Bishop in Armenia early in the fourth century. The story is that one day a mother brought her son who was choking on a fish bone, near death, to the Bishop. Through the Blaise's prayer, the bone was dislodged and the child was saved. On February 3, the feast of St. Blaise, the tradition is to bless throats. Note, however, that the "prayer to St. Blaise" is addressed to God and asks for St. Blaise's intercession for God's protection from sickness of the throat: "Through the intercession of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, may God protect you from every ailment in the throat and from every other evil, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. " |
|
|
|
|
| Credit to the Western Reserve Historical Society (http://www.wrhs.org/) for this wonderful text. |
|
This page has been accessed 310 times.
