Beliefs:
Catholic’s believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that the Bible provides a direct link into the word of God and Jesus’ teachings. The Holy trinity is believed to be One God through three people. The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is also another belief of Catholicism as they believe that you can only become a proper catholic once you are baptised. The Ten commandments were God’s way for people to be able to live out an ethical way of living. They are:
1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day
4. Honour your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
10. You shall not covet you neighbour's goods.
Catholics also believe that we must serve and love god on earth in order to be sent to heaven. The whole religion is based on two worlds - matter and spirit and is based on the truth of mankind.
Myths and sacred stories:
Myths and stories of Catholics, include the stories of well knows Saints like Saint Francis of Assisi and Mary the mother of Jesus and their miracle stories. They had a deep and extensive connection with God and his actions and words. They both had trust in him and witnessed his miracles upon death. There are several myths in The Old Testament including the creation story and the story of Adam and Eve.
Sacred texts and other religious writings:
The most sacred text in the Catholic religion is the Bible. The Bible is divided into two sections; The Old Testament and The New Testament. The Old Testament consists of sacred writing of Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament is based on Christian scriptures. The Bible encompasses God’s relationship with people and there response to him. The readings are highly cherished.
Rituals:
Catholics have many rituals that are performed in there religion. One of the most vital and easily achievable ritual of catholicism is going to mass every week. The most common day to go on Sunday’s.
The seven sacraments are also key rituals in becoming a catholic. These include:
1. Baptism - first step in committing to God and can is usually done as an infant but can also done as an adult
2. Eucharist/Communion - This is the first time the child will receive the body and blood of Christ and brings us closer to God
3. Reconciliation - Also known as penance, has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. We are forgiven for our sins
4. Confirmation - This is when the child is more mature and is associated with the Holy Spirit
5. Marriage - As a catholic, marriage is a public statement about the love a husband and a wife have for each other and God
6. Holy Orders - A priest leads Catholics in proclaiming the Gospel
7. Anointing of the sick - Ritual of healing people physical, mentally and spiritually
These seven sacraments are important and vital as a catholic as they are occasions for truly experiencing God’s presence.
Symbols:
The Crucifix:
The crucifix is a cross with Jesus hanging from it. This is a very popular symbol that is in many catholic households and a crucial part in Mass and catholic church ceremonies. Refer to figure 1.
The Dove:
The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. It symbolises God’s grace and as Christ was baptised, a dove came down on him. Refer to figure 2.
The Sacred Heart:
The sacred heart is a symbol of the love of Jesus for humans. The heart represents love and the depth that of love that Jesus had. Refer to figure 3.
Social structure:
In Catholicism, there is a strict hierarchy of officials:
Most important
1. Pope
2. Cardinal
3. Archbishop
4. Bishop
5. Priest
6. Deacon
Least important
Ethical principles and morals:
Catholics have a belief that having strict morals when it comes to church, helps you live life with God and will guarantee your salvation to heaven. Every member of the Catholic church is encouraged to follow a moral standard of behaivour and to stay clear of living with sins. Catholics are taught to go about there lives in a way that would be accepted by God and to be a good person in doing this. Living a moral way of life through God can come from the Ten Commandments, The Beatitudes and specific readings from the Bible.
Religious experience and spirituality:
Praying, meditating and attending church are all ways in which Catholics can experience a deeper religious experience with God. By growing as a person, physically, mentally, emotionally or spirituality, creates a further religious experience with God and can put meaning into your life.
Catholic’s believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that the Bible provides a direct link into the word of God and Jesus’ teachings. The Holy trinity is believed to be One God through three people. The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is also another belief of Catholicism as they believe that you can only become a proper catholic once you are baptised. The Ten commandments were God’s way for people to be able to live out an ethical way of living. They are:
1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day
4. Honour your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
10. You shall not covet you neighbour's goods.
Catholics also believe that we must serve and love god on earth in order to be sent to heaven. The whole religion is based on two worlds - matter and spirit and is based on the truth of mankind.
Myths and sacred stories:
Myths and stories of Catholics, include the stories of well knows Saints like Saint Francis of Assisi and Mary the mother of Jesus and their miracle stories. They had a deep and extensive connection with God and his actions and words. They both had trust in him and witnessed his miracles upon death. There are several myths in The Old Testament including the creation story and the story of Adam and Eve.
Sacred texts and other religious writings:
The most sacred text in the Catholic religion is the Bible. The Bible is divided into two sections; The Old Testament and The New Testament. The Old Testament consists of sacred writing of Hebrew scriptures and the New Testament is based on Christian scriptures. The Bible encompasses God’s relationship with people and there response to him. The readings are highly cherished.
Rituals:
Catholics have many rituals that are performed in there religion. One of the most vital and easily achievable ritual of catholicism is going to mass every week. The most common day to go on Sunday’s.
The seven sacraments are also key rituals in becoming a catholic. These include:
1. Baptism - first step in committing to God and can is usually done as an infant but can also done as an adult
2. Eucharist/Communion - This is the first time the child will receive the body and blood of Christ and brings us closer to God
3. Reconciliation - Also known as penance, has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. We are forgiven for our sins
4. Confirmation - This is when the child is more mature and is associated with the Holy Spirit
5. Marriage - As a catholic, marriage is a public statement about the love a husband and a wife have for each other and God
6. Holy Orders - A priest leads Catholics in proclaiming the Gospel
7. Anointing of the sick - Ritual of healing people physical, mentally and spiritually
These seven sacraments are important and vital as a catholic as they are occasions for truly experiencing God’s presence.
Symbols:
The Crucifix:
The crucifix is a cross with Jesus hanging from it. This is a very popular symbol that is in many catholic households and a crucial part in Mass and catholic church ceremonies. Refer to figure 1.
The Dove:
The dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. It symbolises God’s grace and as Christ was baptised, a dove came down on him. Refer to figure 2.
The Sacred Heart:
The sacred heart is a symbol of the love of Jesus for humans. The heart represents love and the depth that of love that Jesus had. Refer to figure 3.
Social structure:
In Catholicism, there is a strict hierarchy of officials:
Most important
1. Pope
2. Cardinal
3. Archbishop
4. Bishop
5. Priest
6. Deacon
Least important
Ethical principles and morals:
Catholics have a belief that having strict morals when it comes to church, helps you live life with God and will guarantee your salvation to heaven. Every member of the Catholic church is encouraged to follow a moral standard of behaivour and to stay clear of living with sins. Catholics are taught to go about there lives in a way that would be accepted by God and to be a good person in doing this. Living a moral way of life through God can come from the Ten Commandments, The Beatitudes and specific readings from the Bible.
Religious experience and spirituality:
Praying, meditating and attending church are all ways in which Catholics can experience a deeper religious experience with God. By growing as a person, physically, mentally, emotionally or spirituality, creates a further religious experience with God and can put meaning into your life.