Read more
Peer through the stained glass and get an inside look at Christianity's most popular religion
Catholicism can seem a bit mysterious to non-Catholics--and even Catholics. Embrace your curiosity and turn to Dummies for answers! Full of fascinating facts and written in a friendly style, Catholicism For Dummies explains the basics of Catholic beliefs like the importance of Sunday Mass; the seven sacraments; the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; heaven, hell, and purgatory; the Trinity; and so much more. You'll learn about the Catholic perspective on women as priests, saints as examples of how to live, and prayer as the basis of a relationship with God.
This easy-to-read resource offers an overview of a rich and diverse faith. You'll also discover:
* The ins and outs of living as a Catholic and why followers of the faith observe traditions like attending Mass on certain days of the year, praying the rosary, and not eating meat on Fridays
* Information on what the pope does, how he is selected, the history of the Vatican, and what it's like to be a priest in today's society
* Details about the church's position on modern social issues, like poverty, abortion and the death penalty, same-sex marriage, and contraception
Whether you're a cradle Catholic or just curious about the world's second largest religion, Catholicism For Dummies has the answers you're seeking to a faith that's been around for thousands of years. Order your copy today.
List of contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: What Do Catholics Believe? 5
Chapter 1: What It Means to Be Catholic 7
Chapter 2: Having Faith in God's Revealed Word 19
Chapter 3: In the Beginning: Catholic Teachings on Creation and Original Sin 37
Chapter 4: Believing in Jesus 49
Chapter 5: Defining "The Church" and What Membership Means 69
Chapter 6: Organizing the Church 79
Part 2: Celebrating the Mysteries of Faith 103
Chapter 7: Body and Soul: Worshipping Catholic Style 105
Chapter 8: Entering the Church: Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation 117
Chapter 9: The Sacraments of Service and Healing 135
Chapter 10: Celebrating the Catholic Mass 157
Part 3: Living a Saintly Life 187
Chapter 11: Obeying the Rules: Catholic Law 189
Chapter 12: Loving and Honoring: The Ten Commandments 205
Chapter 13: Being Good When Sinning Is So Easy 221
Chapter 14: Standing Firm: The Church's Stance on Some Sticky Issues 239
Part 4: Praying and Using Devotions 269
Chapter 15: Growing in the Faith 271
Chapter 16: Showing Your Love for God 285
Chapter 17: Expressing Affection for Mary 301
Chapter 18: Honoring the Catholic Saints 319
Chapter 19: Practicing Catholic Traditions 341
Part 5: The Part of Tens 359
Chapter 20: Ten Famous Catholics 361
Chapter 21: Ten Popular Catholic Saints 371
Chapter 22: Ten Popular Catholic Places 383
Chapter 23: Ten Recent Beatifications and Canonizations by Pope Francis 395
Chapter 24: Ten Famous Papal Encyclicals 407
Part 6: Appendixes 417
Appendix A: A Brief History of Catholicism 419
Appendix B: Popular Catholic Prayers 449
Appendix C: Directory of Patron Saints 469
Index 483
About the author
Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD, is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and a member of the faculty at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Rev. Fr. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD, is co-host with Father Trigilio of a weekly television program on EWTN called
Web of Faith. With Father Trigilio, he is the co-author of previous editions of
Catholicism For Dummies.
