What Catholics Believe

WHAT CATHOLICS BELIEVE

Ecclesiastical Approval

This book has been submitted to the Archdiocesan Censor Librorum who has stated in writing that there is nothing in this book that is contrary to faith or morals.

Scripture texts used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, copyright 1970, by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of copyright owner. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 0-943374-28-6
Printed in the U.S.A

The Creed

The Apostles Creed was formulated in Rome in the second century to help provide converts to Christianity a clear understanding of the basic beliefs.

Originally, these beliefs were in the form of questions in the Baptismal ceremony. Afterward, they were put into the current form, originally called the Roman Creed.

Later, as the Church needed to explain beliefs in more detail, other creeds were written which were more explicit. For example, the Council of Nicene (325) defined the divinity of Jesus and His equality with the Father. This Council authored the Nicene Creed, which the congregation recites at Mass. Our study will be based on the Apostles Creed but will include material from these later and longer Creeds.

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered tinder Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.

Amen

I believe

Some things we know because we have experienced them for ourselves (our home and our family). Other things we know because we have heard about them. (e.g. The existence of Russia or China). In fact, most of our knowledge comes from hearing and reading. So, we live each day in a basic faith that what we hear and read is true. Without faith in what we hear and read, our world would be terribly limited.
It is logical to take the same approach to the kingdom of God. After death we will experience God and His Kingdom. However, by that time it is too late. We need to know God's kingdom while we are living and allow this faith to guide our lives and choices.
Everyone has eyes, but some people need glasses to read. Even people with good eyes need a microscope or a telescope to see very small or very distant objects. Glasses, microscopes and telescopes aid our eyes.
We also need help to see the truths of God's kingdom. Our intellect, by itself, cannot see these truths clearly.
This help comes first from our parents and the Church, who pass on to us the truths of faith.
The Apostles Creed is a summary of the basic truths.
The final help to our intellect comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. He helps our intellect to understand and, especially, to believe.

I believe in God

Learning about God's kingdom must begin with God Himself.
Picture God as a perfect Being - who always was, who never changes and is totally good.
God is also a person, not just some cosmic force. The word "person" is the highest and most important word in our human vocabulary. Calling God a "person" is the greatest truth we can say about Him, even though all words are inadequate when applied to God.
In the Old Testament, people believed in many gods. The Jews, however, knew there was only one God (because God, Himself, taught them). In this they were far ahead of the other nations.
Today, very few people, at least in the United States, believe in many gods. A person either believes in the one God or doubts there is a God (agnostic) or denies there is a God (atheist).

The Father

We believe that God is a very special person - a loving Father who sees every human person as his child.
Jesus taught us this truth, especially in His prayer "The Our Father".
Our own idea of God is similar to our idea of our human father. Since no human father is perfect, our idea of God will be limited.
Our idea of God can change. As we come closer to God, we can better grasp how He is a loving Father.
Jesus taught that God invites everyone to be His child and all can enter the family of God.

Creator

We know how people make things like tables or houses, but it is difficult to imagine how God creates.
To create means to make everything out of nothing. A carpenter just shapes some wood into a table. God, however, started with nothing and made everything.
To believe that God created the world does not exclude evolution or change over the centuries. Evolution presupposes that something existed which had to be created.
No matter how far science uncovers the earliest forms of matter, there will always be the question, "What caused the original something to exist?" Causing something to exist from nothing is creation and only God can create.

Heaven

By heaven is not meant the stars and the sun, but the world of angels which we cannot see.
The angels are persons. They are spiritual persons with intellect and free will. They have no body.
The angels, just like human persons, were free to enter or to refuse God's kingdom. Some chose to enter God's kingdom. These angels help us. Some refused to enter God's kingdom. These fallen angels are called devils and they try to keep us out of God's kingdom.
The creation of angels is closely related to the creation of mankind. The angels were meant to help us to heaven. Now some help us and some hinder us.

and earth

Earth means the universe, which contains both living and non-living things.
Among God's living creatures human beings are unique, because they are made in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:26)
Being made in God's image means that human beings share in the two powers of God - to know and to love. God gives every human being a spiritual intellect and a free will.
Because human beings have a spiritual intellect and free will, they must be immortal. A human person can never be destroyed, even by death or by God Himself. Every human being will continue to live after death.
These spiritual powers which require an immortal soul are evident in all the activity which is unique to the human person, such as the power to speak, read, learn, write and invent.
In fact, only the human person can even conceive of a God, or life after death. Only a human person knows he/she will some day die
Every human person, is directly created by God.

And in Jesus Christ

Jesus was given his name when He was circumcised on the eighth day (Lk. 2:21). Jesus means "God saves" (Mt. 1:21)
The name "Christ" means "anointed one" and refers to Jesus' mission as "Messiah". Originally, it was a title, as Jesus, "the Christ" (Lk. 2:11).
During His life, He was called Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. He has two natures, both of which are full and complete.
However, Jesus is only one Person, the Divine Son of God the Father (Mt. 16:16).

His only Son

The Old Testament teaches us clearly that there is only one God. In the New Testament, Jesus taught us that in this one God there are three Divine Persons.
Jesus taught that God was His Father and that He was equal to the Father. Jesus also said that He and the Father would send the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is not God's Son in a carnal or fleshly sense but by a mystery called procession. The Son proceeds from the Father.
Jesus was God's Son even before He was conceived and later born on Christmas Day. John's gospel says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. " (Jn. 1: 1)
Jesus received His human nature from Mary, His human mother. (Lk. 1:43)

Our Lord

Jesus' title of "Lord" describes His relationship to the angels, to us and to all of creation.
Jesus is also the Lord of human history. All history will end when Jesus returns.
Jesus entered into His Lordship by obeying His heavenly Father and accepting His death on the cross. (Phil. 2: 6-1 1)
The Father rewarded Jesus by raising Him from the dead and giving Him complete authority in heaven and earth.
Now Jesus has power and control over all human history.
This authority is not clearly seen nor accepted by many people.
In fact, every human being has a free will to accept Jesus as their personal Lord or to reject Jesus as Lord of their life.
Only by faith, can a person see clearly that Jesus is truly Lord and decide to make Jesus the Lord of their own life.
To accept Jesus as personal Lord and Savior, is the most important decision in every person's life.
This decision begins a relationship to Jesus in which the person deliberately accepts Jesus' authority over all their decisions.
This decision also seals a relationship in which Jesus is totally and completely committed to the person's welfare.

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

Jesus' conception was unique because He had no human father. (Matt. 1: 18-25)
His conception happened when Mary of Nazareth accepted God's plan that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and cause conception to occur. (LK. 1:26-38)
This miraculous conception was the fitting prelude to a greater mystery, namely that Jesus is a Divine person, who became man. "And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." (John 1: 1-14)

Born of the Virgin Mary

Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:1-7).
Mary was His mother and she was still a virgin. This is clear from the words, "He, (Joseph) had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named him Jesus". (Matthew 1:25)
Catholics also believe that the birth was miraculous and Mary remained a virgin even after Jesus' birth.
The Catholic Church, also teaches that Mary continued to live as a virgin with Joseph even after the birth of Jesus.

Suffered under Pontius Pilate

At 30 years of age, Jesus began His preaching mission, proclaiming that the Kingdom of God was at hand. (Lk.3:23)
This preaching was accompanied by many miracles. These were signs that Jesus' ministry was from God.
Because Jesus' miracles and preaching attracted such large crowds, the authorities plotted his death, especially after He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead . (John 11:45-53).
Through Judas, Jesus' apostle who betrayed Him, these leaders were able to capture Jesus away from his followers. (John 18:2)
However, these leaders did not have the authority to sentence anyone to death. This authority belonged only to the Roman procurator, whose name was Pontius Pilate. (John 18:31)
Pontius Pilate could find no reason to condemn Jesus to death but fearing that a riot might break out during the Passover, He permitted Jesus to die on the cross. (Jn. 19:4)

Was crucified, died and was buried

Crucifixion was the most cruel death the Romans could inflict on criminals.
To be hung on a tree was also a curse in the Old Testament. Thus, it seemed as if even God His Father had rejected Jesus.
Jesus was crucified on a hill called Golgotha (meaning skull place) between two thieves. (John 19: 17-18)
He was on the cross for three hours. (Luke 23:44-45)
When soldiers came to kill him by breaking his legs, they discovered that He was already dead. (Jn 19:33)
One soldier pierced His side with a lance, bringing forth blood and water. Jesus, therefore, had five wounds: one in each hand and in each foot and one in his left side. (Jn 19:34)
Jesus' blood ransoms us from external death. (l Peter 1:18-20)

He was buried

Jesus was buried in a new tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.
Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in all four gospels. He is described as "a disciple of Jesus" (Matt 27:57); "a distinguished member of the Council ... who looked forward to the reign of God" (Mark 15:43); "a virtuous and righteous man and a member of the council" (Luke 23:50); "secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews" (John 19:38)
These details about Joseph and his tomb, given in all four gospels, are extremely important. They are clear indications that Jesus truly died and was buried in a tomb never before used.
These descriptions make it clear that the Apostles were not deceived about Jesus rising from the dead

He descended into Hell

This is not the hell which was prepared for Satan and his devils and which will last forever.
This is the place where the people who were worthy of the kingdom and who died before Jesus, awaited Him as their Savior. (l Peter 3: 18-19)
Jesus descending into hell means He went there to bring these people into His heavenly glory.

On the third day He rose again from the dead

Jesus was crucified and buried on Friday (before the Sabbath Passover began) and He rose on Easter Sunday.
Rising on the third day proves that Jesus was dead but the body had not undergone corruption. (Acts 2: 26-27)
Jesus then showed Himself as alive by appearing to his disciples over a period of 40 days.
Luke describes this period after Easter in the following words "showing them in many convincing ways that He was alive, appearing to them over the course of 40 days and speaking with them about the reign of God." (Acts 1: 3)
These accounts of the visions are given in all four gospels.
Even before the gospels were written, St. Paul had provided a list of people who saw the Risen Jesus. (I Cor. 15:3-8)
These Easter visions showed Jesus' disciples that He was truly God and that everything He taught and claimed was true.
The disciples were completely changed by these visions. They were no longer afraid of the powerful authorities but were made ready to witness to the people. (Acts 4:1-4)
After rising from the dead, Jesus did not have a mortal body which could die again. He had a glorified body. This will be the same kind of body we will have in heaven.
St. Paul explains this mystery of the dead being raised (I Cor. 15: 35-49).

He ascended into Heaven

Since His mission of convincing the disciples that He had risen from the dead was completed, Jesus ascended into heaven.
Before His Ascension, Jesus told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised" (Acts 1:4)
Jesus' Ascension into heaven is clearly described in the 5th book of the New Testament called the Acts of the Apostles, written by St. Luke. (Acts 1:6-11)
Luke writes, "Jesus was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight." (Acts 1:9)

He sits at the right hand of the Father

Sitting at the Father's right hand means that Jesus has all power in heaven and earth. "Because of this (Jesus' obedient death) God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name above every other name. So that at Jesus' name, every knee must bend in the heaven, on the earth and under the earth. (Phil 2:9-10)
Jesus spoke clearly about His power. Before ascending to heaven, He said, "Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth". (Matt 28:18)
Sitting at the right hand of the Father shows Christ's divine glory and honor.
At the Father's right hand, Jesus is always praying for us, interceding on our behalf. (I Jn. 2:1)

He shall come to judge the living and the dead

We know by science that this earth will end, when the cosmos burns itself out.
Whether Jesus will wait until that moment or whether He will return sooner, we do not know.
When Jesus returns, every human being will come before Jesus and be judged by Jesus. This is called the General Judgment. (Mk. 13: 24-27)
Also, immediately after death, every person comes before Jesus for a Particular Judgment.
We do not need to fear this judgment, as long as we have believed in Jesus and tried to be His friend during our life.

I believe in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
We know the Holy Spirit because Jesus taught His disciples about Him. (Jn.3: 5-8)
In John's gospel, Jesus gave us a special new word, "Paraclete", to describe the Holy Spirit. (14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7)
"Paraclete" means that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Guide, Friend, Advocate and Teacher.
Jesus also told the apostles that He had to leave the world, so He and the Father could send the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7)
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4).
The Father and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1)
The Spirit's coming is described as follows: "Suddenly from up in the sky, there came a noise like a strong, driving wind, which was heard all through the house where they were seated. Tongues, as of fire appeared, which parted and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them" (Acts 2: 2-4)
Every person in the world can now receive the Holy Spirit. To do so they must:
- believe in Jesus
- be sorry for their sins
- be baptized (Acts 2:38) - (This will be fully explained in the section on Baptism.)
By receiving the Holy Spirit, the person is made ready for eternal life because the Holy Spirit gives each person the capacity to experience God.
The Paraclete also gives spiritual gifts of service called charisms. (I Cor. 12:4-1 1)

The Holy Catholic Church

Jesus, knowing He would die, rise and ascend to the Father, founded a Church which would carry on His work.
He deliberately chose 12 apostles, with Peter as their head, who would be the foundation of this Church.
Jesus promised Peter that he would be the rock upon which Jesus would build His Church. (Matt. 16:1719)
On Pentecost, the Spirit formed the Church, by descending on the 12 disciples. On that same day, 3000 people believed in Jesus and were baptized into the Church. (Acts 2:41)
The Church grew quickly in Jerusalem, focusing upon the instructions of the apostles and the Eucharist. (Acts 2:42-47)
Later, after a lame man was healed, many more believed, so that "the number of men came to about 5000". (Acts 4:4)
By many persecutions, the Spirit scattered the believers so that God's word about Jesus was planted in other places. (Acts 8: 1)
Jesus appeared to St. Paul and gave him a special ministry to the Gentiles. (Acts 9)
Paul is the first recorded Christian missionary to come to Europe (Acts 16:1 1) and eventually to Rome (Acts 28).
Peter also came to Rome.
Peter and Paul both taught in Rome and were martyred in Rome under Nero, the Emperor
Because both Peter and Paul taught in Rome and because Jerusalem was totally destroyed by Roman armies (70 A.D.), Rome became the center of the Catholic Church.
Today, whoever is the Bishop of Rome is called the Pope, the successor of St. Peter, and the head of the Catholic Church.
The other apostles founded Churches in various cities, especially Antioch (Acts 13) and Alexandria. Newly found churches stayed united to churches founded by Apostles, so that a true oneness, called the Communion of the Churches, resulted. This is the Catholic Church.
Eventually, the Church of Rome was accorded primacy and became the center of Catholic unity.
Currently, the Pope, the bishop of Rome, names the bishops of every diocese. The bishop assigns pastors to each parish. Thus every Catholic is connected to the Pope through obedience to their pastor and their bishop.

The Communion of Saints

By grace, every person becomes a member of God's family and is joined to all other family members.
This union of all God's children in Jesus Christ is called the Communion of Saints.
This Communion has three groups - those in heaven (Church Triumphant), those in Purgatory (Church Suffering) and those on earth (Church Militant).
The Church Triumphant intercedes with God and helps us.
Catholic devotion to the saints, and especially to Mary, is based upon this doctrine of the Communion of Saints.
The souls in Purgatory (Church Suffering) are guaranteed a place in Jesus' kingdom. Our prayers can help them through God's purifying action.
We, the Church Militant, must fight our way through difficulties to gain our heavenly home. We are meant to help each other get to heaven.
Most important of all, we must see every baptized Christian as truly our brothers and our sisters.

Forgiveness of Sins

Joseph was told to name the child Jesus "because he will save His people from their sins". (Mt 1:21)
John the Baptist described Jesus: "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world". (Jn 1:29)
During His ministry, Jesus specifically forgave the sins of the paralyzed man (Mt 2:5), the woman taken in adultery (Jn 8:3-1 1), of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2) and of the good thief. (Luke 23:43)
On Easter night, Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to His apostles, proclaiming "Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven". (Jn 20: 22-23)
The early Church constantly preached Jesus as the source of the forgiveness of sins. "Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven." (Acts 2:38)
Scripture says clearly that forgiveness of sins comes from Jesus. (l Jn.1:7)
We first experience this forgiveness of sins in Baptism
Sins after Baptist are forgiven in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a ministry given permanently to the Church. (2 Cor.5:18)
The Church can forgive any sin, no matter how serious. (Mt.18:18)

Resurrection of the Body

On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead. His soul was reunited with His body.
At the end of the world, everyone will have their body reunited with their soul.
Some will share body and soul in Jesus' glory. Others will share, body and soul, in the total loss of heaven. (Jn.5:29)
Speaking about those who will share Jesus' glory, St. Paul writes clearly, "The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise our mortal bodies". (Romans 8:Cll)

Life Everlasting

Life everlasting means that our joy in heaven will never end.
Jesus clearly promised eternal life to all who eat His flesh and drink His blood. (Jn.6:54)
Concerning this life in heaven, St. Paul writes, "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him. (I Cor 2:9)
In fact, in heaven there is no time - no past or future. There is only now, the eternal present.
Our minds cannot conceive life which has no time. Therefore, we cannot conceive of life everlasting.
Although we cannot understand what heaven is like, we can realize that life on earth is very short, when compared to everlasting life.
We are foolish to choose the things of earth over the things of heaven. Jesus made this clear in His parable of the rich man with many barns. (Lk. 12:16-2 1)

Appendix

A future booklet will teach the seven sacraments. The following is a quick review:

Sacraments

These are external signs instituted by Christ to bring God's life to the believer. Each sacrament has a different purpose which is clearly understood through the external rite. The Catholic Church teaches that there are seven sacraments.

1) Baptism - is administered by the pouring of water or immersion, together with the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. " Baptism forgives all sins and send the Holy Spirit into the believers soul.

2) Confirmation - is administered by the laying on of hands, the anointing with Holy Chrism and the words, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." Confirmation completes Baptism, initiating a deeper relationship to the Holy Trinity through the anointing of the Spirit.

3) Holy Eucharist - was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper. During the Eucharistic Prayer at every Mass, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. This gift is called the Real Presence.

4) Reconciliation - is the sacrament by which Jesus, through His Church, forgives sins which are committed after Baptism. The sacrament is sometimes called Confession because it usually requires the confessing of sins to a priest (In extraordinary circumstances, Reconciliation can occur without prior confession.)

5) Anointing of the Sick - is administered by an anointing of oil and prescribed prayers (too long to mention here). This anointing forgives sins, often heals, and, at times, prepares the person to accept death.

Two Sacraments of Vocation

All of the above five sacraments can be received by every Catholic. The remaining two, Matrimony and Holy Orders, are sacraments that are based upon a call from God to serve Him in a consecrated state.

Matrimony - is administered by the vows made publicly by the two spouses. The sacrament bestows special helps to the couple to fulfill this lifelong commitment to God and to each other.

Holy Orders - is administered by the bishop through the laying on of hands. Through this sacrament a man becomes a priest and shares in all the powers intended by Christ, especially the power to forgive sins, consecrate the Eucharist, anoint the sick and, at times, to confirm. Holy Orders is also the basis for sharing in the teaching authority of the Church.