Facts about Catholics
Catholics generally call it “Mass “or “Holy Mass.” The Catholic Mass is divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Roman Rite Catholics separated the ritual of anointing from baptism early on in its history and reserved that anointing to the bishop.
Recently, however, in the industrialized West, for example the United States, some Catholics have a Communion Service where there is a liturgy of the Word and a service of communion but no Eucharistic liturgy.
The ritual of Confirmation was always included with baptism in the early Church and still is today among Catholics of the Eastern Rites.
Today seven particular celebrations are of importance to all Catholics.
Catholics usually pour water over the person’s head or, less seldom, immerse the person in the water.
The world and its billion Catholics obviously are seeking something beyond what the Catechism offers.
Catholics claim to be founded by Jesus the Christ and to be the authentic declaration of the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the centuries.
Catholics have a “liturgical calendar” which marks the “liturgical year.” “Liturgy” being the times of Eucharistic celebration and what person or event is important to remember on that day.
Except where there is a dense clerical gathering most Catholic Masses will have many ordinary Catholics helping celebrate it.
Often, when it was called Extreme Unction, it was mistaken as the Last Rite for Catholics near death.
Transubstantiation is a term that has come to distinguish how Catholics understand Jesus’ unique presence in the Eucharistic species.
How Catholics hear that cry in first world countries will determine the fate of both the Catholic Church and the economically well off.
Every Sunday is a time for gathering and celebrating for Catholics in the Eucharistic celebration.
When Catholics looked to the myriad Catholic spiritualities available to them, none met their needs.
Once stated, however, they obtain a life of their own and become binding upon Catholics everywhere because of natural law theory.
The term “Paschal (Easter) Mystery” refers to this life-death event that Catholics’ believe they participate in together with Jesus.
Catholics believe that when they gather in Jesus’ name to remember what he has done he is really present.
Catholics are asked to fast for one hour from solid food before receiving communion.
Toward the end of the 20th century numerous factors intersected resulting in the burgeoning spiritualities’ movement among Catholics.
Catholics believe that God shows us a common pattern of life that leads to a better world.
The bottom line, without the philosophical language, is that Catholics point to the bread and the wine and say “Jesus” is really there, “real presence,” as they call it.
Christmas has gradually grown as an important day of celebration over the centuries although for Eastern Rite Catholics Epiphany (January 6) is still more important than Christmas.
Catholics believe that God is present in and acts through these sacramental celebrations.
A ritual remnant of it may be found at times in Catholics baptizing a dead fetus or new born so, according to their view, they would enter heaven.