Understanding Catholicism
Intro to Catholicism
• The Pope
• Mother Mary
• 7 Sacraments
• Purgatory
2
The Pope
• Bishop of Rome, head
of the Catholic Church
• Can perform
canonization
(sainthood) and
pardons of people in
the church
• Election by Papal
Conclave
– College of Cardinals
– bishops from around
the world
3
The Pope: Duties
• “Vicar of Jesus Christ”
• the supreme head of the college of bishops
• appoint bishops, create dioceses, creates cardinals,
names saints, and intervenes in disputes between
the Vatican and local bishops.
• pronounces infallible teachings of faith and morals
• “The infallibility promised to the Church resides also in
the body of Bishops, when that body exercises the
supreme magisterium with the successor of Peter.”
(Second Vatican Council, 1964)
4
Mother Mary
• Mary is ever-virgin
• sinless: did not have original
sin at birth
• mother of God and of Jesus,
but not of God the Father
• present movement: co-
redeemer along Christ
5
Saints
• They are people who were devoted to God in life
• After the died, they were canonized by the Pope
through a special process
– Must have lived a holy life
– Must have at least 2 posthumous miracles attributed to
them
• Can intercede on behalf of the living and the dead
• Can be declared “patron saints” of causes or
professions, or invoked against illnesses, etc
• Saints are granted power from God, their bodies and
relics are considered holy 6
Seven Sacraments
• Initiation (Required)
1. Baptism
2. Eucharist: Lord’s Supper
3. Confirmation
• Healing (Required)
4. Confession
5. Anointing the Sick
• Service of Communion
(not required)
6. Holy Orders
7. Marriage
7
The Rosary
1. Make the Sign of the Cross and
say the "Apostles' Creed.“
2. Say the "Our Father.“
3. Say three "Hail Marys.”
4. Say the "Glory be to the Father.“
5. Announce the First Mystery; then
say the "Our Father.“
6. Say ten "Hail Marys," while
meditating on the Mystery.
7. Say the "Glory be to the Father.“
8. Announce the Second Mystery;
then say the "Our Father." Repeat
6 and 7 and continue with Third,
Fourth and Fifth Mysteries in the
same manner.
8
Purgatory
9
Purgatory
• Catholics believe that after death, the soul faces
judgment
– Heaven: those whose sins have been forgiven
– Hell: those whose mortal sins have not been forgiven
– Purgatory: those whose mortal sins have been forgiven, but
may perhaps have venial sins that have not been forgiven.
10
Purgatory
• def: a transition place where people go after
they die; time where you atone/purify yourself
of venial sins in order to get into heaven
– venial sin: moral disorder, non-deliberate
– mortal sin: deliberate; must confess and do
penance before you die or directly go to hell
• How to get out and into heaven
– people can pray for you / indulgences
– beseech the saints
– heaven is not assured
11
Miscellaneous Facts
• They have a separate translation
of the Bible with
Apochryphal/Deuterocanonical
books
• These are included in the Old
Testament and are not a part of
the Hebrew Bible
12