1,252
4
Essay, 8 pages (2000 words)

The catholic religion

Catholic ReligionBy Beckie MartinHum130 Religions of the WorldFebruary 20, 2011Mike Monroig Instructor The Catholic Religion is a very unique religion, rich in traditions and has the largest followers in the world. ??? The American Religious Identification Survey, in 2001, counted that there was almost 51 million Catholics in the United States??? (Grossman, 2007). It is also one of the oldest Religions of the Christians beliefs. It also has been under much scrutiny, but has been able to rebound and stay as strong as ever. In order to understand this religion it was very important to meet with a Priest. The Roman Catholic Church can be traced back to the apostle Peter.

St Peter was considered the first Pope and all others have after him are successors. The Pope did not exist at first, ??? This Christian religion was not until several centuries after Christ that the church began to develop into the “ Roman Catholic Church” as we think of it today, with its particular doctrines, practices, and hierarchical system of authority??? (History of the Catholic Church, 2007). The Roman Catholic beliefs do not differ much from other Christian religious beliefs, the doctrine of Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the inspiration of the Bible. However, no other relgions has the doctinal points that are as clear and as organized as the Roman Catholic??™s (History of the Catholic Church, 2007).

Just to name a few, of the distinctive Roman Catholic beliefs, the authority of the Pope, the ability of saints and the concept of the Purgatory as a place of afterlife before going to heaven. Another is the doctrine of transubstantiation, which is the bread that is eaten after being blessed by a priest as a symbol of the body of Christ. The Catholic religion is considered a religion of monotheistic beliefs, and is very similar to many other Christian religions who believe in one God.

Catholics believe in God and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Also the blessed Mother Mary is very important to the Catholics. An interview was conducted with a Priest of the Catholic religion, Father Paul Eversole from St. Matthew Catholic Church, located in Spotsylvania, Virginia, since 2007.?  During this interview several key elements were discussed, major holidays, and the traditions of the Catholic religion, challenges of practicing the Catholic religion, what lead him to become a priest. He also gave some input on what a typical day is like for a Priest.

Another discussion was on the how the membership of the Catholic Church has stayed so strong. Another topic was how one converts to the Catholic religion. He talked about the difference between a Minister and a Catholic Priest and what are some of the obstacles that a Catholic Church has to overcome.

?  ?  As a young boy being born and raised in a very strict Catholic family in Hampton, Virginia, Father Eversole grew up with a brother and a sister and attended an all Catholic school. His parents always made sure they went to Mass every Sunday, and attended religious education classes. They were Baptized and taken to confession. During college the Father studied English and International relations and graduated with a master??™s degree. It was not until after the Father graduated from college that he decided that he wanted to be a priest. Becoming a Priest was not a difficult decision, matter a fact it came really easy. He was home one summer from college and picked up a book on priesthood.

The book was written by an English priest. The reading of this is what started his thinking more seriously about the Priesthood. He joined a seminary for five years.

?  ?  There are many holidays that the Catholics and most Christians share. Christmas is December 25th and the day that Christ was believed to be born. The day of Christ??™s resurrection is Easter and is one of the holiest weekends. Easter Sunday is believed to be the day Christ rose from the dead and Christ invited all Christians to someday will rise with him. Catholics believe Jesus day of resurrections was the beginning of the Catholics salvation. Jesus life was a true inspiration for all Christians to follow. Catholics believe that by Christ??™s death, all Catholics upon death, will live for eternity with a God and himself.

?  On the day that Jesus was crucified is called Good Friday and is in observance of Jesus??™ execution. Some female followers went to prepare Jesus??™s body for burial in a cave-tomb and noticed the empty tomb, and concluded that he had either been resurrected, or his body had been stolen. The Jewish celebration of Passover is related to the Christian??™s celebration of Easter. A very important date to the Catholics is December 8th this is when, what they call the day of Mother Mary??™s Immaculate Conception.

August 15th is the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Father Eversole spoke about some of the challenges that is faced being a priest of a Catholic Church. Finding time each day for personal prayer is the largest challenge.

Through the busy day one has prayed for everyone or everything but one??™s own personal prayer is neglected.. The Catholic membership seems to hold up and one can only wonder why, when so many others are failing to keep their members. Father Eversole tried to explain why. There are so many different ethnic groups coming from all over the world to the United States, many who are Catholics. The young members seem to fade away and come back once they are married or to baptize a child.

One may ask how a Christian would convert over to the Catholic Religion. Father Eversole said, ??? First of all one would need to find out if this is something the person really wants or if there is some alternative reason. Sometimes it is due to a marriage and the spouse is Catholic.

If this is the case one would tell them to go ahead and get married and than make the decision??? (Eversole, 2011). If one is adamant about becoming a Catholic they would start one on one counseling, with the Father. Adult classes called Catechism are done weekly and of course attend Mass, regularly.

The Church normally baptizes on Easter Sunday and introduces new members. One may wonder how does the Catholic ministry and other ministries differ. The Father explained what the biggest difference is celibacy, of course. Catholic Priest does not marry although other ministers do. The majority of Priests live alone with no families.

The parishioners become their family. If they are lucky enough they are invited to their homes. The Priest often go to the hospitals to have prayer over the sick or give the dying their last rights. Priesthood can sometimes be very lonely than again it can be very rewarding. Father Eversole, gave a brief description on a typical day as a Catholic Priest. A normal day begins about 7: 00am, and once showered and shaved and breakfast then off to Church for 30 minutes of prayers and meditation. Then it is time for one to prioritize the rest of the day. Often a visit to the Catholic schools for an assembly, or to celebrate a class Mass or hear confessions.

Priest will also need to be in touch with the administrator duty of the Parrish, as there could be letters to be written and meetings to be arranged. The first Communion and confirmation with parents might be done. There may also be some crisis meetings such as, someones marriage is in trouble, or there has been a tragedy such as the death of a parishioner or the hospital calls because there is a new-born baby in the emergency room with a serious health issue. By thate time one is back to the presbytery, there are usually phone messages to deal with and the mail needs to be handled and read. In the evening perhaps a family will ask one to join in evening meal. In the evening there are meetings to prepare for sacramental preparation classes and evening mass and more family counseling or perhaps back to the hospital.

It would be very interesting to compare the Catholic Religion to the Jewish Religion, to find out what they may have in common. Jesus was a Jew but the Catholics believe he was the Son of God, the Messiah. Jews believe the Messiah is yet to come. The most common factor is the belief of one God and Saints.

Catholics will pray to the Saints to intercede for them with God. Each Saints has a purpose for example, Saint Jude is the patron of hopeless cases or difficult circumstances (Catholic Online, 2011). The Jewish Religion recognizes 36 Saints however, they are not prayed to they are here to protect the earth. (Yom Kippur, 2008) Fasting is another practice, which the Catholic and Jewish religions share. ??? The Jewish practice a total fast on Yom Kippur, which It is described as a solemn fast, on which no food or drink are to be consumed, and on which all work is forbidden??? (Yom Kippur, 2008).

Christians, following the example of Jesus, who fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, recognize the need for some fasting or self-denial in their lives. In the early centuries, Wednesdays and Fridays were generally observed as days of fast (History of the Catholic Church, 2007). The Jewish and the Catholic religions have some common denominations, but they are very different. One has chosen the most complicated of all religions however the most intriguing. The beliefs of the Catholic, the Christian teaching are very complicated. Everything that one has heard about this religion is false.

This is due to all the bad publicity on all of the accused pedophiles involving children and Priest. The Father spoke a little on the subject of pedophilia in the church as one of the challenges of being a Catholic Priest, today. No Priest is allowed to be alone with any children there is always some other member of the parish with him. Another misunderstanding about the Catholic Church is that they worship the Virgin Mary more than Jesus. Catholics think of the Mother Mary as an intercessor. An intercessor is one who prays for others.

??? Catholics also view Mary as a saint, an individual whose life has made him/her an example for believers of how to journey with God. Catholics have many saints who, like Mary, are guides and intercessors for the Church??? (History of the Catholic Church, 2007). Another myth that needs to have clarity is the worshiping of Saints.

Saints are like friends who have already passed on into heaven and Catholics ask them to pray for them just like Mother Mary, Saints are intercessors. Saints are considered patrons and interceded between the Catholic and God. One may pray to St Matthew who is the Saint of finance. When St.

Matthew was called to be an apostle he was a tax collector. A Catholic may have an issue about not having the money to pay taxes hisher would ask St Matthew to pray for help. Father Eversole spoke with a very soft voice and his face looked friendly and kind. One could listen to him talk for hours. He seems to believe in his mission to follow the word of God, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. He gave one a book, called Life in Christ, A Catholic Catechism for Adults for future studying. This book is a text book meant to give direction to those who teach others the Catholic beliefs and faith. Another Christian church could use the book as a tool for the teaching of Jesus Christ.

The Catholic Religion is a very unique religion, rich in traditions and has the largest followers in the world. Bibliography: History of the Catholic Church. (2007, Febuary 8). Retrieved 02 13, 2011, from Relgions Facts: http://www.

religionfacts. com/how-to-cite. htmYom Kippur. (2008, May 13). Retrieved Febuary 17, 2011, from New World Encyclopedia: http://www.

newworldencyclopedia. org/entry/Yom_Kippuroldid= 708024. Grossman, C. L. (2007). How Many Catholics Are Really in the United States Mclean: USA Today.———————–Catholic Religion1

Thank's for Your Vote!
The catholic religion. Page 1
The catholic religion. Page 2
The catholic religion. Page 3
The catholic religion. Page 4
The catholic religion. Page 5
The catholic religion. Page 6
The catholic religion. Page 7
The catholic religion. Page 8
The catholic religion. Page 9

This work, titled "The catholic religion" was written and willingly shared by a fellow student. This sample can be utilized as a research and reference resource to aid in the writing of your own work. Any use of the work that does not include an appropriate citation is banned.

If you are the owner of this work and don’t want it to be published on AssignBuster, request its removal.

Request Removal
Cite this Essay

References

AssignBuster. (2022) 'The catholic religion'. 4 October.

Reference

AssignBuster. (2022, October 4). The catholic religion. Retrieved from https://assignbuster.com/the-catholic-religion/

References

AssignBuster. 2022. "The catholic religion." October 4, 2022. https://assignbuster.com/the-catholic-religion/.

1. AssignBuster. "The catholic religion." October 4, 2022. https://assignbuster.com/the-catholic-religion/.


Bibliography


AssignBuster. "The catholic religion." October 4, 2022. https://assignbuster.com/the-catholic-religion/.

Work Cited

"The catholic religion." AssignBuster, 4 Oct. 2022, assignbuster.com/the-catholic-religion/.

Get in Touch

Please, let us know if you have any ideas on improving The catholic religion, or our service. We will be happy to hear what you think: [email protected]