10 Commandments
Beatitudes
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Gospels
Holy Days of Obligation
Lenten rules of Fast and Abstinence
Mary
Mass
Paschal Mystery
Sacraments
Saint
Salvation History
Sanctifying Grace
Trinity
10 Commandments top
You Shall Love The Lord Your God With All Your Heart, With All Your Soul, And With All Your Mind
1. You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Keep holy the Sabbath day.
You Shall Love Your Neighbor As Yourself
4. Honor 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 neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
Beatitudes top
1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
9. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.
You might also be interested to know that: The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life. They teach us that true happiness is not found in riches or well-being, in human fame or power, or in any human achievement-however beneficial it may be-such as science, technology, and art, or indeed in any creature, but in God alone, the source of every good and of all love. They describe for us the paths that lead to the Kingdom of heaven.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit top
Piety, Understanding, Fortitude, Wisdom, Awe (Fear of the Lord), Counsel, Knowledge.
Gospels top
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
You might also be interested to know that: Mark was written first, in about 70 AD, for the Gentiles in Rome to remind them that following Jesus means serving others. It is the shortest of the gospels and the most historical. Matthew and Luke are similar to Mark. Luke was written in about 80 AD to the Greek converts who were poor and gave them hope with the message that God's love is for everyone. Luke identified Jesus with the poor, outcasts and criminals. Matthew was written in 85 AD to the Jewish converts, so it contains many references to Hebrew Scriptures, which would be familiar to them. Matthew focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture as the Messiah. John was written in about 90 AD and emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and human nature in one person and how belief in Jesus leads to eternal life.
Holy Days of Obligation top
- Octave of the Nativity: Mary, the Mother of God - January 1
- Ascension Thursday - 40 days after Easter
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - August 15
- All Saints Day - November 1
- Immaculate Conception - December 8
- Christmas - December 25
Lenten rules of Fast and Abstinence top
Abstinence: Everyone over 14 years of age is bound to observe the law of complete abstinence on Ash Wednesday and all Friday of Lent. On days of complete abstinence, meat may not be eaten at all.
Fast: Everyone over 21 and under 59 years of age is bound to observe the law of Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On days of fast, only one full meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals sufficient to maintain strength may be taken according to one's needs. Together they should not equal another full meal.
Note: One should not excuse oneself lightly from the obligation to fast and abstain on the days appointed. If an individual cannot fulfill the requirements to fast and abstain, he/she should substitute another form of devotion or practice of charity.
Mary top
Mary is the mother of Jesus, who is the Son of God, making her the Mother of God.
You might also be interested to know that: Mary is a model of faith and charity. Although she may have been frightened, her "yes" was a response to God's call with complete love. She is an example of obedience, faith, hope and charity. Mary is also called "full of grace," and "Mother of the Church," and in Christian prayer and devotion, "Our Lady," the "Blessed Virgin Mary," and the "New Eve".
Mass top
Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist
You might also be interested to know that: The liturgy of the word contains the readings, the homily and the prayers of intercession. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the heart and summit of the celebration, as established by Jesus at the Last Supper.It is called the Mass (from the Latin missa) because of the "mission" or "sending" with which the liturgical celebration concludes. We are not meant to be spectators, but we are called to be participators.
Paschal Mystery top
The Paschal Mystery is Christ's work of redemption through his Passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension. It is celebrated and made present in the liturgy of the Church and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which renews the paschal sacrifice of Christ.
You might also be interested to know that: The Paschal (Pasch = Passover) mystery is a real event that occurred in our history, but it is unique.All other historical events happen once, and then they pass away, swallowed up in the past. The Paschal mystery of Christ, by contrast, cannot remain only in the past, because by his death he destroyed death, and all that Christ is-all that he did and suffered for us-participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all time while being made present in them all. The liturgy not only recalls the events that saved us but actualizes them, makes them present. The Paschal mystery of Christ is celebrated, not repeated. It is the celebrations that are repeated, and in each celebration there is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that makes the unique mystery present.
Sacraments top
Sacraments of Initiation:
- Baptism
- Eucharist
- Confirmation
Sacraments of Healing:
- Reconciliation
- Anointing
Sacraments of Service:
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
You might also be interested to know that: A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace Sacraments are moments of grace that intensify and celebrate what God is doing at all times in our lives. The sacraments are words and actions, enabling them to be accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present the grace that they signify.
In Baptism we celebrate a new birth - a birth into the life of God. Baptizein in Greek means to plunge or immerse, as the waters of baptism symbolize that we are plunged into Christ's death and resurrection and become a new creature. Original sin is not "committed" but "contracted" - the state of fallen human nature we are born into. Baptism initiates and incorporates a person into the life of the Church, giving us strength and support to fight that inclination to evil.
Eucharist is an action of thanksgiving to God (eucharistia in Greek means thanksgiving). Each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist we offer thanksgiving and praise to God. Eucharist also recalls Christ's sacrifice and makes that sacrifice present to us (sacrifice means to make holy). At the heart of the Eucharistic celebration are the bread and wine that, by the words of Christ and invocation of the Holy Spirit, become Christ's body and blood (John 6:48-58). We call this transubstantiation through which the bread and wine are sacramentally transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Our "Amen" signifies that we believe this is the Lord and we can be transformed to carry on God's mission in the world.
Confirmation reaffirms what God gave us in Baptism. It brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace. It unites us more firmly to Christ and makes our bond with the Church more perfect. It gives us the grace of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith.
Reconciliation heals us. Jesus calls us to conversion. We are not perfect and God frequently reminds us to "come back". Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit who helps us recognize our sins and gives us grace for repentance. Sin is an offense against God, which breaks our communion with him and with our brothers and sisters in the Church. The priest acts in the person of Christ to give absolution (as Jesus instructed in Matthew 18:18), but only God can forgive sins.
The graces of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are strength, peace and courage. Like all the sacraments, this is a communal celebration and can be celebrated in the home, a hospital or church. It stresses healing the whole person - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Marriage is not merely a human tradition but is instituted by God. God created us out of love and shared mutual love is an image of God's love for us.
Through baptism and confirmation, all are consecrated to be a holy priesthood. But those who are called to a ministerial priesthood are ordained through the sacrament of Holy Orders. Whether Bishop, priest or deacon, they are called to a life of service to God and to the community of believers. Bishops are called to the teaching and the care of the Church, in the apostolic tradition. Priests work with them, entrusted with the ministry of the word, sacrament and pastoral care. Deacons assist in the celebration of the mysteries.
Saint top
A saint is a holy person who leads a life in union with God through the grace of Christ and receives the reward of eternal life.
You might also be interested to know that: The Church is called the communion of saints. of the holy ones. Being more closely united to Christ, those saints who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. They not only provide us examples of how we should act, but the strengthen the Church.Just as communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ.
Salvation History top
Salvation history puts our faith in context. It connects us to the history of our faith and reminds us that WE are in that history. Salvation history traces the covenants (promises) God has made to show us how the family of God developed through Biblical history. It is a progressive story that begins with Adam and Eve as one holy couple, to Noah as one holy family, to Abraham as one holy tribe, to Moses as one holy nation, to David as one holy kingdom, and the covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ as the universal covenant that welcomes the world into God's.
Sanctifying Grace top
Sanctifying grace perfects our soul to live with God. Our lives are transformed by our sharing in the life of God. Our human nature, wounded by sin, is made "perfect", holy and Christ-like.
You might also be interested to know that: Grace is a participation in the life of God. It is free and undeserved. God gives it to us to become children of God and partakers of eternal life. Grace moves us towards God and away from sin. Sanctifying grace, also called habitual grace, is received in Baptism. It is the source of sanctification. Actual graces are interventions that help us face any experience in our life with faith and trust. Although grace is given freely, it demands our response. God created us to know him and love him and with a longing for truth and goodness only God can satisfy.
Trinity top
The Trinity is the mystery of one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You might also be interested to know that: The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. The Trinity is One. We do not believe in three Gods, but one God in three persons. The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire. The divine persons are distinct from one another. "Father," "Son," "Holy Spirit" are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another. The divine persons are relative to one another. It is the mystery of love. a dynamic community of eternal love. A communion of love of three unique, divine persons. It mandates that we be a community of love because we know that God is community. God has relationship.