What Roman Catholics Believe

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-17

And God spoke all these words, saying,
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 
"You shall have no other gods before me.
"You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 
you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,
but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work;
but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; 
for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it. 
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 
"You shall not kill.
"You shall not commit adultery.
"You shall not steal.
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's." (RSV)
 

Precepts of the Church.
(Taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2042 & 2043)

The first precept ("You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.") requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord.

The second precept ("You shall confess your sins at least once a year.") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.

The third precept ("You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

The fourth precept ("You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.") completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.

The fifth precept ("You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.") ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts; they help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.

Seven Sacraments

1. Baptism - Matt. 28:19
2. Confirmation - Acts 8:17
3. Eucharist - Matt. 26:26-28. Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:23-26. And see especially John 6:50-57.
4. Penance - John 20: 23.
5. Extreme Unction (Sacrament of the Sick) - James 5:14. See also Mark 6:12-13.
6. Holy Orders - Luke 22:19 "Do this in remembrance of me." See also, Acts 13:2-3, Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:14 and 1Tim 4:14; Acts 14:22.
7. Matrimony - Matt. 19:6.

Three Theological Virtues: Faith - Hope - Charity.

1. "The three theological virtues are manifested in the following manner:
   The effect produced by the virtue of Faith is to make us believe in the existence of God and in his divine perfections.
   The effect of the virtue of Hope is to make us look for eternal salvation from God, as well as the means that are necessary for its attainment.
   The virtue of Charity causes us to find satisfaction in God, and to seek to please Him by keeping His commandments.
2. These virtues are fitly termed theological, because God Himself is their object, their motive, and their Author. God is the object of faith; that is to say, we believe what God has revealed, and all that has reference to God Himself, to His being', His attributes, His works and His will. God is the motive of faith, for we believe that which He has revealed because He is omniscient and the highest truth. God is the object of hope; for we hope for eternal happiness after death, to see God and enjoy Him forever. God is the motive of hope, for we hope for eternal felicity because He is almighty, most bountiful, and faithful to His promises. God is the object of charity, for all our love centers in Him. God is the motive of charity, since we love Him because He is supreme beauty and sovereign goodness. God is also the Author of the three theological virtues, as the following reasons demonstrate: We receive the three theological virtues to render us capable of performing good works simultaneously with sanctifying grace. When the Holy Spirit enters into the soul, He transforms the powers of the mind, so that it can rise to God with greater facility. When He comes and imparts to us sanctifying grace, a light shines in our heart that awakens faith and hope (2 Cor. iv. 6), and a fire is ignited, that kindles a flame of charity (Rom. v. 5). This action of the Holy Ghost within the soul is called the infusion of the three theological virtues. The three theological virtues are infused into the soul (Council of Trent, 6, ch. 7). The infusion of these virtues has a similar effect as have the rays of the sun in imparting light and warmth to the atmosphere. God does not force these virtues upon us; the freedom of the will is in no wise interfered with. The power of exercising the three theological virtues is imparted in Baptism and if it be lost, it is given again in the Sacrament of Penance. As the seed lies dormant in the bosom of the earth, until, under the influence of sun and rain, it germinates and grows, so the three theological virtues at first lie dormant in the soul of the child until he attains the use of reason, and through the action of grace and religious instruction they are developed and come to sight (in works). The baptized child resembles one who is asleep, who possesses the power of sight, but sees nothing, until he awakens from sleep and makes use of that power. So the power to exercise faith, hope, and charity are latent in the soul of the child, until with the use of reason they are brought into play, and their existence is made apparent.
3. We ought to make acts of the three theological virtues frequently in the course of our life, especially before approaching the sacraments and at the hour of death.

Four Cardinal Virtues. Prudence - Justice - Fortitude - Temperance.

1. Prudence is the capacity of the mind to grasp, or comprehend, the good things of eternity and the means of attaining them. Through prudence we distinguish what is human from what is divine. The prudent Christian's thoughts are on gaining eternity. St. Thomas Aquinas said prudence is the eye of the soul. Without the light of the eye we cannot find our way nor without prudence can we discern the path to heaven. Without the eye we cannot make full use of our limbs, nor can we practice virtue correctly. [It is something like spiritual common sense.] Its opposite is a worldly wisdom or wisdom of the flesh that brings temporal advantage or sensual enjoyment, but this is the wisdom of foolishness.
2. Justice enables us to willingly walk the narrow path of the commandments; the just man dreads the slightest deviation from it. The just man gives every one his due; to God, he gives worship, to proper authority, obedience, to subordinates, fairness, and to all, the love Christ commanded.
3. Through temperance a person uses the good things of life to the extent needed for attainment of heaven. He does not eat or drink more than needed to support life, preserve health, and fulfill responsibilities. The temperate person does not strive with excessive eagerness after honors, pleasures, or sensual enjoyments. [Editor's note: this is not to say that pleasure, or fun, is wrong. It isn't! Often we need merely to indulge in moderation, an idea that is increasingly foreign to people today. The catechism says we are to avoid excess. It has often been recommended to people who wish to grow spiritually to give up things that are not wrong so as to separate ourselves from worldly things that do not help us on our journey to heaven, and to do penance for past wrongs done to the others.]
4. Fortitude enables a person to make sacrifices willingly for the sake of the Kingdom of God. He who possess the virtue of fortitude does not allow himself to be intimidated by ridicule, threats, or persecution. He is ready to suffer even death. He patiently endures all the afflictions that come upon him. He is like a diamond that no stone can break. Fortitude is more strikingly displayed in bearing great suffering than in undertaking great achievements, for suffering is more difficult than doing. "No saint was ever a coward. The holy martyrs showed fortitude in its highest degree." Rev. Francis Spirago, The Catechism Explained, Tan Books (1899) p. 444-46. Imprimatur, +Patrick J. Hayes, Archbishop of NY, Oct. 18, 1921.

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

  Wisdom, Fortitude, The fear of the Lord, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Piety 

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit 

charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

To counsel the doubtful,

To forgive offences,

To instruct the ignorant,

To bear wrongs patiently,

To admonish sinners,

To comfort the afflicted,

To pray for the living and the dead.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

To feed the hungry,

To give drink to the thirsty,

To clothe the naked,

To harbour the harbourless,

To visit the sick,

To visit the captive, and

To bury the dead.

The Beatitudes - Mt. 5:1-12

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.

3. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.

4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice; for they shall be filled.

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 the children of God.

8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Seven Deadly Sins and Virtues broken

  Pride, Humility

  Covetousness, Liberality

  Lust, Chastity

  Anger, Meekness

  Gluttony, Temperance

  Envy, Brotherly love

  Sloth, Diligence.

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary

Under Pontius Pilate He was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

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 Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation, he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered died and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

In voting for people, there are THE FIVE NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES

These five issues are called non-negotiable because they concern actions that are always morally wrong and must never be promoted by the law. It is a serious sin to endorse or promote any of these actions, and no candidate who really wants to advance the common good will support any of the five non-negotiables.
 
1. Abortion
 
2. Euthanasia
 
3. Fetal Stem Cell Research
 
4. Human Cloning
 
5. Homosexual "Marriage"
 
   from: Catholic Answers, “The Divinity of Christ” (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 2001) 

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