The Basics of the Catholic Faith

The Total Deposit of Faith: Consists of both Scripture and Tradition

The Books of the Bible (the "canon" of Scripture):
46 books in the Old Testament
27 books in the New Testament

The Four Gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

The Four Marks of the Church:
The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

The task of giving authentic interpretation of the Word of God:
Is entrusted to the Magisterium, the living, teaching office of the Church.

The Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the 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 the life everlasting. Amen

The Seven Sacraments:

Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, Holy Orders

Holy Days of Obligation in the United States:

• The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: January 1: We honor Mary, Mother of God

• Ascension: Fortieth day after Easter: Jesus ascended into heaven

• Assumption: August 15: Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul

• All Saint’s Day: November 1: We honor all the saints in heaven

• Immaculate Conception: December 8: Mary was free from sin from the first moment of her life.

• Christmas: December 25: We celebrate the birth of Jesus

Days of Fasting (for adults): Ash Wednesday & Good Friday

Days of Abstinence (for all those over the age 14) :Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, all Fridays in Lent

The Two Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:34-40):

And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him, "Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?" Jesus said to him, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21):

1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange 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. Honor your father and 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 goods.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10):

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Precepts of the Church (Duties of a Catholic Christian):

1. To keep holy the day of the Lord’s Resurrection (Sunday). To worship God by participating in Mass on every Sunday and holy day of obligation. To avoid those activities (like needless work) that would hinder worship, joy, relaxation.

2. To lead a sacramental life. To receive Holy Communion frequently and the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.

3. To study Catholic teachings in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be confirmed, and then to continue to study and advance the cause of Christ.

4. To observe the marriage laws of the Church. To give religious training, by word and example, to one’s children. To use parish schools and catechetical programs.

5. To strengthen and support the Church – one’s own parish community and parish priests, the worldwide Church, and the pope.

6. To do penance, including abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the days appointed.

The Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance

The Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity

The Corporal Works of Mercy:

1. Feed the Hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Shelter the homeless

4. Visit the sick

5. Visit the imprisoned

6. Bury the dead

7. Give alms to the poor.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy:

1. Counsel the Doubtful

2. Instruct the ignorant

3. Admonish the Sinner

4. Comfort the Sorrowful

5. Forgive all Injuries

6. Bear wrongs patiently

7. Pray for the living and the dead

Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11: 2-3):

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:17-20 and Galatians 5:22-23):

Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, Chastity

The Seven Capital Virtues:

Humility, Generosity, Chastity, Meekness, Temperance, Brotherly Love, Diligence

The Seven Capital Sins: Pride, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Sloth

The Lord's Prayer (CCC, page 661):

Our Father,
Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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