What It Means to Be Catholic: The Beginning of The Catholic Religion

Abstract

This paper will discuss and examine the history of the Catholic religion. This paper will discuss and examine the basis beliefs of the Catholic religion. This paper will also examine the how and where the Catholic religion originated. This paper will also explore the teachings of the Catholic religion. This paper will discuss the role of the disciple of Jesus, Simeon Peter and his role in the Catholic religion. This paper will also examine the history of the Catholic religion to the present day Catholic religion. This paper will discuss the scared text and writings of the Catholic religion. This paper will also examine the holidays that are important to the Catholic religion. This paper will also compare the Catholic religion to other forms of religion.

There are many aspects to the Catholic Religion. There is the question of where Catholicism originated. There is the question of who started the first Catholic Church. Some other important questions that need to be examined are what does it mean to be Catholic? What do Catholics believe? What is considered sacred to the Catholic Church?

What makes the Catholic religion different from other religions? There are so many traditions and beliefs surrounding the Catholic religion. We will examine the beginning of the Catholic religion to the present day Catholic religion. The word “Catholic” its original meaning meant “universal”.

History records that Jesus asked his disciples “who do people say the Son of Man Is”. It is said the disciples gave various answers. It is said that Simeon Peter gave the correct answer. Peter said “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. It is said, with that answer, Jesus started the first Catholic church by designating Simeon Peter as the first Pope. History tells us that first Pope Peter moved the Catholic Church to Rome, after he fled Jerusalem in 33 A.D. The Bible also records what Jesus said to Peter. In then Jesus said to Simon, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

The Birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ are the heart and soul of Catholics. The Catholic religion and the Bible both indicate Jesus was born to a virgin named Mary. It is recorded that Mary was a virgin whom was engaged to a carpenter named Joseph. The Bible says that an angel came to Mary in a vision and told her she would give birth to a son and he would be the Son of Man. The Bible also says an Angel came to Joseph in a vision and told him Mary would give birth to the Son of Man. He also told Joseph to marry Mary and flee to Jerusalem.

The Bible tells us in Matthew the story of Jesus birth. It tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a stable, because there was no room in the Inn. The story of Jesus birth says that Mary wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and lay in a manger. This is why “Christmas” is celebrated today. Catholics and many religions believe that Christmas is an important Holiday. However, there are some religions that do not acknowledge Christmas as an important holiday. The four-week period before Christmas is known as Advent. Advent lasts anywhere from twenty-one to twenty-eight days. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Catholics are encouraged to prepare themselves spiritually for the Lord. This is an important tradition to the Catholics.

In the Catholic religion the story of Jesus crucifixion is equally as important as the story of the birth of Jesus. Easter is the day Catholics celebrate the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. On Easter, the season of Lent ends. The Resurrection of Christ is the heart Catholicism.

Another important belief and tradition is the Eucharist. This is where someone takes bread to represent the body of Christ. Catholics may take Eucharist daily if they desire. Eucharist represents Jesus. Catholics practice Eucharist because Catholics believe at The Last Supper when Jesus spoke to his disciples, Jesus said to take His body (bread) and live eternally. During the consecration in Mass, the taking of bread is a representation of Jesus. At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday through the Octave of Easter, the Catholic Church celebrates this Easter feast. Catholics often give devotion to the Divine Mercy. Jesus asks us to ask for His mercy since He opened the gates of Heaven. On the second Sunday of Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. Starting on Good Friday and ending on Easter Saturday, Catholics are encouraged to say the Divine Mercy Novena. Catholics should also go to confession before Divine Mercy Sunday and receive Holy Communion on that day.

Catholics also believes in Trinity. Trinity is God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. Each has their separate uniqueness, but they are all the same. Catholics believe The Holy Spirit is a person that was left for us when Jesus went back to Heaven. The Holy Spirit is alive in any baptized person.

Catholicism teaches the belief that Jesus is our personal Savior. Catholicism is surrounded by the teaching the existence of Jesus, and that Jesus is the Son of God, and the Son of Mary. Most Catholic beliefs are based on the teachings and the life of Jesus. Jesus taught the message to love one another and to be kind and to help one another. Jesus preached messages in parables. Jesus also preached about The Ten Commandments and the importance of following God’s Law. Catholicism also teaches The Ten Commandments and the importance of honoring Gods Law.

There are so many practices that apply to Catholicism. One is being Prayers for the dead which Catholics first started in 300 A.D. However, this Prayer was practiced by pious Jews centuries before Jesus. Making the sign of the cross was a common greeting among Christians during Roman persecution even though some Catholics claim to have started the practice. The Daily Mass is also a very important practice in Catholicism. The beginning of mass as a daily celebration started in 394 A.D. The Daily Mass occurred in the earliest church and is still practiced today. Another practices found in Catholicism is the “Extreme unction”, which is an anointing with oil. This practice was introduced in Catholicism in 526 A.D. in was used for those in danger of dying,

...