Catholic Essentials

The Eucharist: Source and Summit of Christian Life

The Holy Mass (the Sacrament of the Eucharist) does not repeat Christ's One Sacrifice on Calvary, but makes it present, along with His Resurrection, every time that the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. As explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Sacrament of the Eucharist is sometimes called "The Holy Sacrifice":

...because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church's offering. The terms holy sacrifice of the Mass, "sacrifice of praise," spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used, since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant...The Church's whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament...We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the Sacrament of sacraments. The Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle are designated by this same name.
(CCC 1330)

The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. ... In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present."
(CCC 1374)

Sacraments

The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. (CCC 1113)

While we believe that human life is infused with the sacramental goodness of God, the Catholic Church has recognized seven sacraments that were instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to His Church. It is through faith in the efficacy of the sacramental signs that we receive from God the grace particular to each sacrament. The sacraments nourish and strengthen us as they express and build up our faith.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"All generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48): "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship." The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.
(CCC 971)

Four Marks of the Catholic Church

1. One
2. Holy
3. Catholic
4. Apostolic

Precepts of the Church

1. Pray at Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation, doing no unnecessary work on those days.
2. Confess serious sins at least once every year.
3. Receive Holy Communion frequently and, at a minimum, during the Easter Season.
4. Fast and abstain on appointed days and times.
5. Contribute to the support of the Church.
6. Observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage and give religious training to one’s children by word, example, and use of parish schools or religious education programs.
7. Join the missionary spirit and work of the Church.

The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy

• To feed the hungry
• To give drink to the thirsty
• To clothe the naked
• To shelter the homeless
• To care for the sick
• To visit the imprisoned
• To bury the dead

The 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy

• To share knowledge
• To give advice to those who need it
• To comfort the suffering
• To be patient with others
• To forgive those who hurt you
• To give correction to those who need it
• To pray for the living and the dead

The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel/Right Judgment
• Fortitude/Courage
• Knowledge
• Piety/Reverence
• Fear of the Lord/Wonder and Awe

Virtues

The 3 Theological Virtues

• Faith
• Hope
• Love (Charity)

The 4 Cardinal Virtues

• Prudence
• Justice
• Fortitude
• Temperance

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are more than simply rules and laws. They are a foundation of moral teaching and shape our obligations as Christians in relationship to God. The Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai after being rescued by God from slavery in Egypt. These Commandments are the expression and sign of the Covenant between God and His people and are just as powerful and binding as they were when they were written.

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 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 goods.

The 2 Greatest Commandments

When asked which was the greatest of the commandments, Jesus responded with a dual commandment, or a pair of related commandments. These commandments complement each other and belong together. The first is to love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

The 8 Beatitudes

These are teachings of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount in which he describes the attitudes and actions that should characterize his disciples and followers. They can be seen as blueprints for living an authentic Christian life.

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
2. Blessed are the meek, for they shall posses the land.
3. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
6. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice's sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

The 14 Stations of the Cross

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Die
2. Jesus Is Made to Bear His Cross
3. Jesus Falls the First Time
4. Jesus Meets His Mother
5. Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
6. Veronica Wipes Jesus's Face
7. Jesus Falls the Second Time
8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
9. Jesus Falls the Third Time
10. Jesus Is Stripped
11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
12. Jesus Dies on the Cross
13. Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

The 7 Last Words of Christ

1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
2. Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with Me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
3. Woman, behold thy son. . . .Behold thy Mother. (John 19:26-27)
4. Eli, Eli, lamma sabachtani? (My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?) (Matthew 27:46)
5. I thirst. (John 19:28)
6. It is finished. (John 19:30)
7. Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit. (Luke 23:46)

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

• Charity
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Goodness
• Kindness
• Long suffering
• Humility
• Faithfulness
• Modesty
• Continence
• Chastity

For more depth, go here: www.catholic.com