"What is so special about sacraments? -- Why do we have a Pope? -- What's the point of going to confession? -- How did the rituals and traditions of the Mass get started?" [from back cover]

Open Wide the Doors to Christ, is a powerful tool for both teachers and students of the Catholic faith. As an excellent resource for RCIA and Adult Faith Formation, this insightful book discusses the basics of the Catholic faith -- and how we can live it fully. As the "meat and potatoes" of Catholicism, it is an introduction to the Church's teachings on the Creed, the sacraments, the moral life, prayer and much more -- with particular focus upon those who are seeking to become Catholic. Presented in a way that adults from all walks of life can understand, the book challenges readers to dig deeper and to continue to grow in their understanding of Christ and the Catholic Church.

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.

Provides an intelligent and faithful look at Catholicism that will answer many of the questions you have. Includes an updated text of the Mass according to the Roman Missal, third edition, as well as chapters on creation.

Grasp the beliefs and practices about one of the world's oldest religions Catholicism All-In-One For Dummies is your all-inclusive guide to the Catholic Church and its billions of followers. You'll learn how Catholicism came to be, how it's practiced, and where it stands socially and politically as you explore the rich history and diverse culture surrounding this major religion. Clear, friendly writing takes you inside a mass to understand what happens there, and walks you through a tour of the saints, holidays, the Bible, and the Vatican. Special coverage includes the role of women in the Church and in the Bible, and the tremendous popularity of Pope Francis, who has quickly become one of the Vatican's most-loved leaders. You'll dive into the beliefs and practices of Catholicism and get answers to the most common, confusing, controversial, and worrisome questions. Catholicism is quickly expanding beyond its 1.2 billion followers, with growing numbers of priests and new baptisms every year. Attendance at papal events has tripled to 6.6 million since Pope Francis' election in 2013, and Catholicism has become the largest religious denomination on the planet by a wide margin. This book explains what makes Catholicism so alluring, giving you insight into the religion and everything it entails. Discover the complicated history of the Catholic church Understand what goes on at mass, and why Learn where the Church stands on important issues Explore Pope Francis's unprecedented popularity across cultures The Catholic Church has been reinvigorated and revitalized with the enthusiasm surrounding Pope Francis, and his openness to the world and everyone in it. If your curiosity has been piqued, Catholicism All-In-One For Dummies is the ideal guide to learning what it's all about.

Let there be light — illuminating info about today’s Catholic church Catholicism All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition offers a path toward understanding the beliefs of the Catholic church and how the church operates. Fully updated with information on newly canonized saints, updated teachings from Pope Francis, and how Catholic beliefs intersect with the modern world, this edition gets you up to date with the last 2,000-or-so years of Catholic history. With five minibooks in one, this friendly Dummies guide will answer your pressing questions, such as: What do Catholics believe? What happens in Mass? Who are the saints? What is the role of the Pope? — and other cool stuff you’ve been wanting to know about this Christian denomination with over 1 billion members worldwide. With Catholicism All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition, you will: Discover the core tenets of the Catholic religion Learn all about the papacy and get to know Pope Francis Get a primer on the Catholic saints, including those newly canonized Walk through the traditions of Mass and the seven sacraments This is an excellent resource for anyone who needs a clear guide to the practices and rules of the Catholic faith and wants a fascinating look into a prominent world religion.

Karl Keating defends Catholicism from fundamentalist attacks and explains why fundamentalism has been so successful in converting "Romanists". After showing the origins of fundamentalism, he examines representative anti-Catholic groups and presents their arguments in their own words. His rebuttals are clear, detailed, and charitable. Special emphasis is given to the scriptural basis for Catholic doctrines and beliefs.

Two complete eBooks for one low price! Created and compiled by the publisher, this Catholicism bundle brings together two important titles in one, e-only bundle. With this special bundle, you’ll get the complete text of the following two titles: Catholicism For Dummies, 2nd Edition Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down-to-earth introduction for Catholics and non-Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations of Catholic weddings, Baptisms, funerals, Confirmations, and First Communions. You'll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture--from morality and devotions, worship and liturgy to twenty-first-century issues and questions modern Catholics face. There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one shares a foundational 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. 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. Catholic Mass For Dummies Throughout the centuries, the liturgy of the Church has taken a variety of regional and historical forms, but one thing has remained constant: the Mass has always been the central form of Catholic worship. Catholic Mass For Dummies gives you a step-by-step overview of the Catholic Mass, as well as a close look at the history and meaning of the Mass as a central form of Catholic worship. You'll find information on the order of a Mass and coverage of major Masses including weddings, funerals, holiday services, and holy days of obligation. If you're a Catholic looking to enhance your knowledge of your faith, an adult studying to convert to Catholicism, a CCD instructor, or a non-Catholic who wants to understand the many nuances of the Catholic Mass, this hands-on, friendly guide has you covered. About the Authors Rev. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD, is President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and co-hosts with Fr. Brighenti several programs on the Eternal Word Television Network. Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD, is a member of the Board of Directors for the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and was a U.S. Naval Reserve Chaplain. Rev. Monsignor James Cafone is an assistant professor in the Religion Department of Seton Hall University.

Roman Catholicism stands at a crossroads, a classic ''best of times, worst of times'' moment. On the one hand, the Catholic Church remains by far the largest branch of the worldwide Christian family, and is growing at a remarkable clip. Yet the Church has also been rocked by a series of scandals related to the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, and, even more devastating, the cover-up by the Church hierarchy. The decade-long crisis has taken a massive financial toll, but the blow to both the internal morale and the external moral standing of the Church has been even steeper. Today, the Church has enormous residual strength and exciting future prospects, but also faces steep internal and external challenges. The question of ''whither Catholicism'' is of vital public relevance, for believers and non-believers alike. In The Catholic Church: What Everyone Needs to Know, John L. Allen, Jr., one of the world's leading authorities on the Vatican, offers an authoritative and accessible guide to the past, present, and future of the Church. This updated edition includes a new chapter on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the election of Pope Francis, and his extraordinary tenure thus far.