With over one billion members, Catholicism is one of the oldest - and largest - organized religions in the world. The Everything Catholicism Book is an easy-to-follow guide that helps you gain a better understanding of this complex religion. From the Seven Sacraments to basic Church doctrine, this comprehensive book unravels all aspects of the Catholic Church, making it much easier for you to grasp. Thought-provoking and stimulating, The Everything Catholicism Book helps you understand and appreciate the complexity of the traditions and tenets of the Catholic faith.

Why do Catholics confess their sins? What does Jesus' second coming mean? How does someone, such as Mother Teresa, become a saint? This guide answers these questions and more. This resource addresses the teachings, tradition, history, and theology of the Catholic Church. With this guide, you'll learn the foundations of the faith. Featuring explanations of: What the parts of the Mass mean Baptism, confirmation, and the other sacraments The priesthood and religious life today The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ Mary's relationship with modern Catholics Sin, judgment, and salvation This approachable book also highlights twenty-first-century issues and questions modern Catholics face, including gay marriage, abortion, and the death penalty. It's the ultimate guide to understanding Catholicism for readers of all backgrounds and faiths.

Are you new to Catholicism and become a recent Catholic convert? Did you grow up Catholic and return as a Catholic revert? Are you interested in becoming Catholic for the first time? If you want to learn more about basic Catholic beliefs, Waking Up Catholic: A Guide to Catholic Beliefs for Converts, Reverts, and Anyone Becoming Catholic is the book for you. The depth of Catholic theology is one of its greatest beauties, but understanding it can be one of its greatest challenges. You have questions. Waking Up Catholic has answers. Learn about: How does Catholic Tradition fit in with Scripture? Why do we have a pope? Do Catholics really worship Mary? Why do Catholics pray to saints? Is Holy Communion just a symbol of Christ? What is the purpose of Confession? Do repetitious Catholic prayers really work? And more... Waking Up Catholic answers these questions, and more, from the perspective of someone who converted to Catholicism himself. Waking Up Catholic may be the first Catholic book you've ever read, but after you're done, it won't be the last.

"Everyone's a theologian, because everyone believes something about God, even those who reject him. So the question is not whether we have a theology but whether that theology is true. And that's what makes this excellent book by Fr. John Cush so needed and helpful: It guides us in forming a true theology." — Brandon Vogt, author of Why I Am Catholic and Content Director at Word on Fire Catholic Ministries "Unlike the authors of most theology texts today, Fr. Cush knows that to understand anything about the divine, one must be properly intellectually, ecclesially, and even mystically conformed to Jesus Christ as encountered through his Mystical Body, the Church. These clear and concise pages outline precisely what that means, to love God by seeking him truly." — Fr. David Meconi, S.J., Director, Catholic Studies Centre, Saint Louis University and Editor, Homiletic & Pastoral Review As you'll learn in The How-to Book of Catholic Theology: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You, theology at its core is about encountering God's self-revelation in Christ through the Church. In his clear, conversational style, theologian Father John Cush offers a comprehensive overview of Catholic theology, making it both approachable and actionable. In this complete guide you'll learn: Models (or styles) of being a theologian What you need to start your study of theology How to form a theological method How to use the tools of theology How to reconcile differences in theology How the study of theology leads to holiness of life The How-to Book of Catholic Theology also includes points to remember, recommended reading, and advice for building your personal theological library. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in Brooklyn, New York, Father John Patrick Cush is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Ordained in 1998, he earned the Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, with a specialization in fundamental theology. Father Cush currently serves as academic dean and as a formation advisor at the Pontifical North American College, Vatican City-State. He is an adjunct assistant professor of theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University and an adjunct professor of Church History at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, both in Rome, Italy. Father Cush writes regularly for the National Catholic Register, The Tablet, The Evangelist, and Homiletic & Pastoral Review. He has served as a parish priest, high school teacher, and a Censor of Books for his diocese. This is his first book.

There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one has a similar set of basic beliefs and practices that he or she follows. Some of the teachings of Catholicism are thousands of years old, while others are more recent. So what is the Catholic culture like and what do they believe? Catholicism For Dummies answers these and many other questions. Whether you’re a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. No sweat. Regardless of whether you’re engaged, married, related to a Catholic, or just curious about what Catholics really do believe, this book is for you. Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down-to-earth introduction for non-Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations so that the next time you’re invited to a Catholic wedding, Baptism, funeral, Confirmation, or First Communion, you won’t be totally confused. You’ll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture—from morality and devotions to worship and liturgy. This book will familiarize you with Catholicism by showing you: What it means to be a Catholic: traditions, prayers, beliefs, and holidays Who is who in the Catholic hierarchy How Catholics worship What the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments are The book regarded as the holiest to Catholics: The Bible The Church’s stand on some sticky issues Catholicism For Dummies presents a rich tapestry and history of the Catholic faith—from devotions to doctrines. This intelligent and faithful look at Catholicism will open your eyes to this religion and answer many of the questions you may have about it.

In Why Do Catholics Do That? renowned scholar and religion columnist Kevin Orlin Johnson answers the most frequently asked questions on Catholic faith, worship, culture, and customs, including: * How the Church Makes Laws * The Hard-Fought Genesis of the New Testament * The Cycle of Redemption * A Short Guide to the Meaning and Structure of the Mass * Decoding Symbols of Scripture and the Sacraments * The Calendar as the Image of Christ's Life * The Rosary * The Stations of the Cross * Monks, Nuns, and the Rules That Guide Them * The Pope * The Laity in the Modern World * Saints * Fatima, Lourdes, and the Story of Apparitions * The Vatican: A Holy City * The Sign of the Cross, Christianity's Best-Known Symbol * Candles in Prayer and Liturgy * The Meaning of the Nativity Scene Blending religious history, a deep appreciation for art and culture, and an enlightened reverence for the traditions of the Church, Why Do Catholics Do That? is the definitive resource for any one who wants to learn more about the rituals, symbols, and traditions that can strengthen our faith every day. "Johnson offers lucid explanations of a dizzying array of customs and beliefs." --Publishers Weekly From the Trade Paperback edition.

With a Foreword by Scott Hahn, bestselling author of The Lamb's Supper God has something extraordinary planned for your life . . . In our fast-paced, highly technological world, this statement might sound a bit lofty, but the lives of millions of souls who have come before us attest to this simple truth: God has a wonderful plan in store for you. With these words, Tom Peterson, founder and president of Catholics Come Home, a nonprofit multimedia organization dedicated to promoting Catholic evangelization, offers inspiration for believers from all walks of life, whether lapsed or practicing, to deepen their faith and draw them closer to Jesus and His Church. In a series of moving stories and personal anecdotes, Tom relates how after rediscovering his faith, he experienced God's unfailing love, and soon found his true purpose in life. You can too! Drawing from scripture, his own struggles and discoveries, and the lives of the saints as well as ordinary individuals, the author offers seven ways to enter into a more deeply personal relationship with Jesus. These are pearls that you can share with others to illuminate the importance of the Catholic faith and open wide the door to a homecoming celebration.

"How can you believe all this stuff? This is the number-one question Catholics get asked and, sometimes, we ask ourselves. Why do we believe that God exists, that he became a man and came to save us, that what looks like a wafer of bread is actually his body? Why do we believe that he inspired a holy book and founded an infallible Church to teach us the one true way to live? Ever since he became Catholic, Trent Horn has spent a lot of time answering these questions, trying to explain to friends, family, and total strangers the reasons for his Catholic faith. Some didn't believe in God, or even in the existence of truth. Others said they were spiritual but didn't think you needed religion to be happy. Some were Christians who thought Catholic doctrines over-complicated the pure gospel. And some were fellow Catholics who had a hard time understanding everything they professed to believe on Sunday. Why We're Catholic assembles the clearest, friendliest, most helpful answers that Trent learned to give to all these people and more. Beginning with how we can know reality and ending with our hope of eternal life, it s the perfect way to help skeptics and seekers (or Catholics who want to firm up their faith) understand the evidence that bolsters our belief and brings us joy" --

An up-to-date and accessible introduction to Catholic Christianity, this book explains with great clarity the major Catholic doctrines and practices as they developed historically. Without papering over the negative side of history, the authors have produced a lively and refreshing book, which gives a readable account of what is distinctively Catholic while remaining sensitive to other Christians and other religions.

Written for people in and out of church, this book offers three core concepts which have always been present in Catholic tradition.