Considering a return to the Catholic Church? This Catholic “reboot” will provide you with a breakdown of everything you need to know about returning to your Catholic Faith. To start, you can read more below to refresh yourself on the basic Catholic Beliefs. Or, you can dive right into your “Reboot” of learning about how Catholics have gotten off course and what the Catholic Church actually teaches.
Overview of Catholic Beliefs
Returning to the Catholic Church can be a liberating and comforting experience. Whether you’ve been away from the Church for a long time or just looking to re-familiarize yourself with its teachings, this guide will provide an essential breakdown of what you need to know about returning to the Catholic faith.
Catholicism is a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ as set out in the New Testament. Centered on faith and moral teachings, Catholics believe in the existence of one God that is made up of three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What is Catholicism?
Catholics believe in original sin, life after death, and judgment by God’s grace for salvation and redemption through Jesus’ life and teachings. Additionally, Catholics rely heavily on Scripture, liturgical practices, and traditions to guide their spiritual lives.
Review the full Catechism of the Catholic Church Here
The Doctrines and Practices of the Catholic Faith
The doctrine and practices of Catholicism have remained relatively unchanged over the centuries, and are based on beliefs about Jesus Christ as contained in the Bible. Additionally, Catholics adhere to doctrines such as the celebration of the seven sacraments, veneration of saints, observance of the moral law, and growth in personal holiness. Common Catholic beliefs and practices include attending Mass regularly, praying the Rosary, observing holy days of obligation, and participating in penitential practices.
A Brief History of Catholicism
The Catholic Church was started by Jesus Christ, as he gave His Apostle, Peter, the “Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven”. After Jesus’ death and resurrection and the spread of His message by His apostles, the Church established itself throughout the world. Multiple schisms and reformations were seen along the way, resulting in Catholicism as it stands today.
Key Figures in Catholicism’s History
Catholicism has had a number of influential figures and saints throughout its centuries-wide history, including St. Peter and St. Paul who are considered two of the foundational pillars of the faith. Other figures such as St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Ignatius de Loyola, and St. Mother Teresa have helped form Catholicism’s rich landscape. Later theologians such as Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) explored the faith from a more modern perspective.
The Structure of the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is more formally known as the Roman Catholic Church and is headed by the Pope. It is a hierarchical organization consisting of the pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, and deacons. Each of these figures has different roles in the church’s leadership structure, with the pope at its apex.
Biblical Teachings form much of Catholic Beliefs
The whole of the Bible, with a special focus on the four Gospels, forms the basis of Catholic beliefs. Catholics are asked to live according to these moral teachings, which include the following: to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and strength; and to love others as Jesus has loved you.
Core Catholic Doctrine: Sacraments, Virgin Mary, and Devotions
Among the core doctrines of Catholicism are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Catholics also venerate the Virgin Mary as a symbol of their faith, referring to her as “Theotokos” or mother of God. In addition to liturgical celebrations and the Sacraments, there are many Catholic devotions such as the Stations of the Cross and praying the Rosary. All these teachings help Catholics live out their faith on a daily basis.
Liturgy and Administrative Practices in Catholicism
The Church is hierarchical and structured, with a Pope and Cardinals in charge of day-to-day administration. Canon Law governs the operation of the Catholic Church as well as its standard spiritual practices, while the Liturgy of the Mass embodies Catholic traditions.
Each year, Catholics observe holy days that are important to their faith such as Easter and Christmas. Many other liturgical practices are observed throughout the year such as Weddings, Funerals, Communion services, and even Holy Days of Obligation which require attending Mass on certain days each year.
Guiding Principles for Catholic Living
Catholic beliefs about Christian living are found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This is a comprehensive range of beliefs based on the Bible, Tradition, Magisterium, and the sacred scriptures with core concepts such as love, justice, mercy, and respect for life. These teachings guide Catholics to live a life that honors God and strengthens their faith into action. It serves as a moral compass to aid in making good decisions while fostering an attitude of personal transformation grounded in faith.
Now that you have reviewed the basics of Catholic beliefs, let’s reboot and go through each of these aspects of the Catholic faith, step by step…