- The Bible is the main source of Roman Catholic beliefs. This includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. The New Testament is especially important to Catholics because the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell the story of Jesus’ life.
- The Apostles’ Creed is mainly based on the New Testament and it sets out the main beliefs of Roman Catholics. It is expressed in the Mass of the Roman Rite which is recited during Catholic Church services.
- Baptism is the initiation ceremony for Catholics, the first step in their fully committing to the faith and accepting the will of God.
- Catholics are usually confirmed when they are at the threshold of adulthood and after confirmation they are fully accepted into the Catholic faith and can take part in the Eucharist.
- Pilgrims make a journey to a holy place to show their devotion to God. Well-known places of pilgrimage include Lourdes in France and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
- The Catholic Mass is the main form of worship held in church. The modern mass is conducted in English with the priest facing the congregation. Catholic traditionalists still observe the Tridentine Mass. This is spoken in Latin and the priest stands facing east with his back to the congregation.
Catholics mark the Feast of the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary. They also celebrate the Assumption when Mary was taken to heaven after she died, to be with her son.
- The Sacrament of Penance, sometimes called Confession, allows Catholics to confess their sins to a priest who can then absolve them.
- The Eucharist is one of the Catholic sacraments and is based on the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus ate with his disciples before he was crucified. Catholics celebrate it by eating a wafer of bread and drinking some wine. This becomes the flesh and blood of Jesus in a process call Transubstantiation.
- Roman Catholics celebrate Christmas on the 25th December. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, known as the Nativity. The celebration of Christmas starts with Advent on the Sunday nearest to November 30th.
- Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts for the 40 days before Easter. Palm Sunday, on the Sunday before Easter, marks the triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter marks the Last Supper when the ceremony of the Eucharist was first established by Jesus. Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus. On Holy Saturday, the Vigil Service is held and the Paschal Candle is lit.
- Forty days after Easter, Catholics celebrate the Ascension, when Jesus ascended to heaven.
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Test it!
1. Describe three of the beliefs contained in the Apostles’ Creed.
2. Describe the Catholic baptism ceremony.
3. What is the meaning of Catholic Confirmation?
4. Name two places of Catholic pilgrimage.
5. What is the Tridentine Mass?
6. What do Catholics believe about the Virgin Mary?
7. Describe the Catholic Eucharist and its meaning.
8. What is the Nativity?
9. How do Catholics celebrate Christmas?
10. What are the main elements of Easter celebration for Catholics?
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Some top tips!
- Print out the Test It! Questions – it will allow you to replicate exam conditions and also allows you to give your eyes a rest from the computer screen whilst doing your crucial revision.
- Make a copy of the Remember It! Section and put in a place that you often look at. i.e. front of a journal, next to a mirror, on a kitchen cupboard door, etc. That way you can do some cheeky religious studies revision whilst doing those things you have to do!
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