Lists Every Catholic
Should be Familiar
With
The
7 Sacraments (The Holy Mysteries)
Baptism
Confirmation (Chrismation)
Eucharist
Penance (Confession, Reconciliation)
Matrimony
Holy Orders
Extreme Unction (Annointing of the Sick)
Notes:
A Sacrament is defined as "an outward sign of inward grace" which was
instituted by Christ Himself and receives its power from God, through
the merits of Christ.
Baptism and Penance are known as the "Sacraments of the Dead" because
before receiving them when needed, we are dead in sin.
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and
Matrimony are known as the "Sacraments of the Living" because one must
be in a state of grace to receive them licitly and receive their
fruits; they give additional grace to souls already spiritually alive.
Matrimony and Holy Orders are known as the "Social Sacraments" because
they are designed primarily for the benefit of society and confer a
social status.
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders are the three Sacraments which
leave an indelible mark on the recipient's soul and can never be
repeated. Each Sacrament has a proper matter, form, and minister. They
are (and note that the "thees" and "thys" can be replaced with "you"
and "your," and "Holy Ghost" can be replaced with "Holy Spirit" without
affecting validity):
| Sacrament |
Matter |
Form |
Minister |
Baptism
|
water
|
I baptize thee
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
|
Priest
(ordinarily); anyone in emergencies |
| Confirmation |
chrism made of
oilive oil and balsam |
anointing with
chrism and the imposition of hands
|
Bishop
(ordinarily) or priest |
| Eucharist |
wheat bread and
grape wine |
'This is My
Body" "This is the chalice of My Blood" |
Priest
|
| Penance |
contrition |
I absolve thee
|
Priest
|
| Matrimony |
vows
|
"I do" or "I
will"
|
the couple |
| Holy Orders |
imposition of
hands
|
Grant, we
beseech Thee, Almighty Father, to these Thy servants, the dignity of
the Priesthood; renew the spirit of holiness within them, so that they
may hold from Thee, O God, the office of the second rank in Thy service
and by the example of their behavior afford a pattern of holy living. |
Bishop |
| Unction |
oil of the sick |
Through this
Holy Unction or oil, and through the great goodness of His mercy, may
God pardon thee whatever sins thou hast committed by evil use of sight
(sight, hearing, smell, taste and speech, touch, ability to walk). |
Priest |
The
7 Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To shelter the homeless
To visit the sick
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead
Note:
Reference Matthew 25 and Tobias 12. "To visit the imprisoned" was
originally listed as "to ransom the captives," referring to the
ransoming of Christians taken prisoner during Moslem aggression.
The
7 Spiritual Works of Mercy
To counsel the doubtful
To instruct the ignorant
To admonish the sinner
To comfort the sorrowful
To forgive all injuries
To bear wrongs patiently
To pray for the living and the dead
The
3 Eminent Good Works
Prayer
Fasting
Almsgiving
The
7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord
Note:
See Isaias 11:1-3
Class of Gifts of the Holy Ghost known as Charismata
Gift of speaking with wisdom
Gift of speaking with knowledge
Faith
Grace of healing
Gift of miracles
Gift of prophecy
Gift of discerning spirits
Gift of tongues (i.e., xenolalia, the ability to speak foreign
languages unknown by natural reason)
Gift of interpreting speeches
Note:
See I Corinthians 12:6-11; I Corinthians 12:28-31; and Romans 12:6-8.
The number of items in this class of Gifts of the Holy Ghost, properly
called "charismata," is disputed among theologians. Some add: Gift of
government, Gift of Helps, Gift of distributio, Gift of misericordia.
The charismata were/are not necessary for individual sanctification,
were/are not distributed to all Christians, and are to be subjected to
authority and the proper ends for which they were given (I Corinthians
12-14).
The
12 Fruits of the Holy Ghost
Charity
Joy
Peace
Patience
Benignity
Goodness
Longanimity
Mildness
Faith
Modesty
Continency
Chastity
Note:
See Galatians 5:22-25 (three of these are not mentioned in some Greek
and Latin manuscripts). The 12 Fruits of the Holy Ghost are the effects
of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost.
The
3 Theological Virtues
Faith
Hope
Charity
Note:
Reference I Corinthians 13:13. The Theological Virtues are called such
because they are supernatural in origin, relate immediately to God, and
can only be gained through His grace
The
4 Cardinal Virtues
Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance
Note:
Refrerence Wisdom 8:7. The Cardinal Virtues, unlike the Theological
Virtues, can be achieved by human effort. A pragmatic guide to
acquiring the cardinal virtues (also called the "moral virtues" or
"human virtues") is here: Becoming
Virtuous.
The
7 Capital Sins and their Contrary Virtues
|
Capital Sin
|
Definition
|
Contrary
Virtue
|
| Pride |
Unrestrained
appreciation of our own worth
|
Humility |
| Greed |
Immoderate
desire for earthly goods
|
Liberality |
| Lust |
Hankering for
impure pleasures
|
Chastity |
| Anger |
Inordinate
desire for revenge
|
Meekness |
| Gluttony |
Unrestrained use
of food and drink
|
Temperance |
| Envy |
Sorrow over
another's good fortune
|
Brotherly Love |
| Sloth |
Laxity in
keeping the Faith and the practice of virtue
|
Diligence |
Note:
The 7 Capital Sins, also known as "The 7 Deadly Sins," are those sins
that give rise to other sins. They were first enumerated by Pope St.
Gregory the Great in "Moralia in Job."
The
6 Sins against the Holy Ghost
Presumption
Despair
Resisting the known truth
Envy of another’s spiritual good
Obstinacy in sin
Final impenitence
The
4 Sins that Cry Out to Heaven
Willful murder
The sin of Sodom
Oppression of the poor
Defrauding laborers of their wages
Note:
Genesis 4, Genesis 18, Exodus 2, James 5, respectively. Elaboration on
"the sin of Sodom," from the Douay Catholic Catechism of 1649, Chapter
XX: "The
sin of Sodom, or carnal sin against nature, which is a voluntary
shedding of the seed of nature, out of the due use of marriage, or lust
with a different sex." In other words, do not think that this
particular sin is just about acting on homosexual
impulses; it isn't. St. Peter Damian, Doctor of the Church, in his Liber
Gomorrhianus ("The Book of Gomorrah") speaks of four forms of
sodomy: "Four types of this form of criminal wickedness can be
distinguished in an effort to show you the totality of the whole matter
in an orderly way: some sin with themselves alone; some by the hands of
others; others between the thighs; and finally, others commit the
complete act against nature [anal intercourse]. The ascending gradation
among these is such that the last mentioned are judged to be more
serious that the preceding. Indeed a greater penance is imposed on
those who fall with others than those who defile only themselves; and
those who complete the act are to be judged more severely than those
who are defiled through femoral fornication. The devil's artful fraud
devises these degrees of failing into ruin such that the higher the
level the unfortunate soul reaches in them, the deeper it sinks in the
depths of hell's pit."
3
Conditions for Mortal Sin
Grave matter
Full knowledge
Deliberate consent
Note:
From the Catechism of St. Pius X, "The Main Kinds of Sin," Question
9-10:
Q: What injury does mortal sin do the soul?
A: (1) Mortal sin deprives the soul of grace and of the friendship of
God; (2) It makes it lose Heaven; (3) It deprives it of merits already
acquired, and renders it incapable of acquiring new merits; (4) It
makes it the slave of the devil; (5) It makes it deserve hell as well
as the chastisements of this life.
Q: Besides grave matter, what is required to constitute a mortal sin?
A: To constitute a mortal sin, besides grave matter there is also
required full consciousness of the gravity of the matter, along with
the deliberate will to commit the sin.
The
9 Ways We Participate in Others' Sins
By counsel
By command
By consent
By provocation
By praise or flattery
By concealment
By partaking
By silence
By defense of the ill done
The
10 Commandments
Thou shalt not have other gods besides Me
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain
Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day
Honor thy father and thy mother
Thou shalt not murder
Thou shalt not commit adultery
Thou shalt not steal
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods
Note:
Reference Exodus 20 and Exodous 34 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. Note that
the Septuagint, the Latin Vulgate (the official Scripture of the
Church), and the original Douay-Reims phrase the Fifth Word as "Thou
shalt not murder"; later Douay-Reims versions, such as the Challoner,
and the King James Bible, etc., phrase it as "Thou shalt not kill."
"Thou shalt not murder," however, is the original intent and the
meaning of the earliest texts. Catholics, of course, have 2,000 years
of Church teaching and the Magisterium to interpret Scripture, and the
meaning of the Fifth Commandment is that one is not to take innocent
human life. (For information on the way Catholics number the
Commandments, as opposed to how Protestants and Jews number them, see this page in the Apologetics section of
this site)
The
2 Greatest Commandments
To love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength.
To love thy neighbor as thyself.
Note:
Reference Mark 12:30-.31
The
3 Evangelical Counsels
Voluntary poverty
Perpetual chastity
Entire obedience
Note:
The Evangelical Counsels, also called the Counsels of Perfection, are
those precepts given by Christ that are not binding on all, but are
binding on those who have a vocation to them. The 10 Commandments, the
Precepts of the Church, the two Great Commandments, for ex., bind one
and all, but the evangelical counsels do not. See Matthew 19:16-22 for
the story of Christ's telling the young man what he needs to do in
order to be saved, and then what he needs to do in order to be perfect
-- two different things.
The
6 Precepts of the Church (The Duties of a Catholic)
To go to Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days
To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during
Lent)
To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season
(known as the "Easter duty")
To observe the days of fasting and abstinence
To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one's
abilities and station in life
To obey the marriage laws of the Church
Holy
Days of Obligation in Addition to Sundays (English-speaking Countries)
|
United States
|
Canada
|
England &
Wales
|
|
Circumcision
Ascension
Assumption
All Saints
Imm. Conception
Christmas
|
Circumcision
Epiphany
Ascension
All Saints
Imm. Conception
Christmas
|
Circumcision
Epiphany
Ascension
Corpus Christi
SS Peter & Paul
Assumption
All Saints
Christmas
|
|
Ireland
|
Scotland
|
Australia
& New Zealand
|
|
Circumcision
Epiphany
St. Patrick
Ascension
Corpus Christi
SS Peter & Paul
Assumption
All Saints
Imm. Conception
Christmas
|
Circumcision
Epiphany
St. Joseph
Ascension
Corpus Christi
SS Peter & Paul
Assumption
All Saints
Imm. Conception
Christmas
|
Circumcision
Ascension
Assumption
All Saints
Christmas
|
Note:
In the United States: in the Novus Ordo: if 1 January, 15 August, or 1
November falls on a Saturday or Monday, the precept to attend Mass is
abrogated; if 15 August or 8 December falls on a Sunday, the Feast is
celebrated the next day, but the obligation to attend Mass is
abrogated; the Feast of the Circumcision is referred to as "Mary,
Mother of God"; the Feast of the Ascension in the United States might
be celebrated on the 7th Sunday of Easter, according to Province.
The
3 Powers of the Soul
Memory
Intellect
Will
The
4 Pillars of the Catholic Faith
The Apostles Creed
The Seven Sacraments
The Ten Commandments
The Lord's Prayer
The
3 Pillars of the Church's Authority
Sacred Scripture
Sacred Tradition
Living Magisterium
The
3 Munera (Duties of the Ordained)
Munus docendi (duty to teach, based on Christ's role as Prophet)
Munus sanctificandi (duty to sanctify, based on Chris's role as Priest)
Munus regendi (duty to shepherd, based on Christ's role as King)
The
3 Parts of the Church
The Church Militant (Christians on Earth)
The Church Suffering (Christians in Purgatory)
The Church Triumphant (Christians in Heaven)
The
4 Marks of the Church
Unity
Sanctity
Catholicity
Apostolicity
Note:
In the Nicene Creed we say that the Church is "one, holy, catholic and
apostolic."
The
12 Apostles
|
Peter
|
|
Formerly "Simon," renamed "Kepha" or "Cephas" by Our Lord;
preached in Antioch, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Asia Minor, Rome;
headed Roman Church (was first Pope); crucified upside-down in Rome,
Italy. Symbols: the
Keys; upside-down Latin Cross; book. Relics: St.
Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Feast: June 29
(along with St.
Paul); August 1 (St. Peter's Chains). |
|
Andrew
|
|
Peter's brother; preached in Scythia; Epirus; Achaia; Hellas;
Cappadocia, Galatia, and Bithynia, Scythian deserts, Byzantium;Thrace,
Macedonia, Thessaly, and Achaia; crucified in Patrae in Achaia. Symbols:
X-shaped Cross; anchor; fish; fishing net. Relics:
Cathedral of Amalfi, Italy, and in St. Andrew's Church, Patras,
Greece. Feast:
November 30. |
|
James the
Greater
|
|
He and his brother (John) nicknamed by Jesus "Sons of
Thunder" (Boanerges); a son of Zebedee; preached in Spain; beheaded by
Herod Agrippa I to please the Jews. Symbols:
seashells; pilgrim's
staff; scroll; book; floppy hat;
trampling a Moor; mounted on horseback. Relics: Compostela, Spain. Feast: July 25. |
|
John
|
|
He and his brother (James the Greater) nicknamed by Jesus
"Sons of Thunder" (Boanerges); a son of Zebedee; the disciple whom
Jesus loved; Evangelist; preached in Asia Minor (Ephesus). Symbols:
chalice; eagle; serpent; sword; cauldron. Relics: Basilica of St. John,
Ephesus, Turkey. Feast:
December 27. |
|
Philip
|
|
Preached in Hieropolis in Asia (?); relics at church of the
Dodici Apostoli in Rome, Italy. Symbols:
basket of loaves; T-shaped
Cross. Relics: Holy Apostles
Basilica, Rome, Italy. Feast:
May 11 (with
St. James the Less) |
|
Bartholomew
|
|
Preached in India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, Armenia,
Lycaonia, Phrygia, shores of the Black Sea (?); flayed
alive and crucified, head downward in Albanopolis in Armenia. Symbols: tanner's
knife; flayed skin. Relics:
St. Bartholomew-in-the-Island, Rome, Italy. Feast: August 24. |
|
Matthew
|
|
"Levi"; Evangelist;
preached in Ethiopia to the south of the Caspian Sea (not Ethiopia in
Africa), Persia and the kingdom of the Parthians, Macedonia, and Syria,
and to the Hebrews generally (?). Martyred by sword. Symbols: angel/man/winged man
holding
a pen or inkwell; bag of coins, money bag, money box, or purse; spear;
sword; halberd; lance. Relics: Cathedral
of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
Feast: September 21. |
|
Thomas
|
|
"Didymus," meaning "Twin"; familiarly (not Scripturally)
known as "Doubting Thomas"; preached in India; pierced through with
spears by four soldiers at Syriac Mazdai. Symbols: T-square; spear. Relics: Basilica of St.
Thomas, Ortono, Italy, and Santhome
Cathedral,
Chennai, India. Feast: December 21. |
|
James the Less
|
|
"James the Just" or "James the Younger"; son of Alphaeus
(Clophas) and "brother of the Lord"; Bishop of Jerusalem Church;
epistle writer; killed by Jews by being thrown off the Temple and
clubbed to death. Symbols:
fuller's club; book; windmill. Relics:
Holy
Apostles Basilica, Rome, Italy. Feast:
May 11
(with St. Philip) |
|
Jude
|
|
"Thaddaeus"; "brother of James (the Less)"; epistle writer. Symbols:
shown with medallion with profile of Jesus around his neck;
shown with flame above his head; oar; boat; axe; book; pen. Relics: St.
Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Feast:
October 28 (with St. Simon). |
|
Simon
|
|
"Simon the Zealot" or "Simon the Canaanite." Symbols: fish(es); man being sawn
in two
longitudinally; saw; lance. Relics: St.
Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Feast:
October 28 (with St. Jude). |
|
Judas Iscariot
|
|
Replaced after his suicide by Matthias (St. Matthias's Feast:
February 24). |
Notes:
A little poem to help you remember:
Peter, Andrew,
James and John,
Phil and Bart and Matt and Tom,
James the Less and Jude and Simon --
Then Judas who betrayed the God-man.
The
word "apostle" means "one who is sent." Notice that two of the 12
Apostles -- Matthew and John -- also belong to the group of the 4
Evangelists (the men who each wrote one of the four Gospels). The other
two Evangelists -- Mark and Luke -- were students of Simon Peter and
Paul, respectively, and were not sent directly by Christ. Paul is often
referred to as "Apostle Paul" -- specifically the "Apostle to the
Gentiles", -- because he, too, was sent by Christ, but he is not one of
the original 12 Apostles. All of these men (the 12 Apostles, St. Paul,
the Evangelists) can -- along with "the seventy disciples" spoken of in
Luke 10, the women who followed Christ, and men like Timothy and Apollo
-- be called "disciples," which indicates "student."
The
12 Tribes of Israel
In order of their birth:
Reuben
Simeon
Levi
Judah
Zabulon
Issachar
Dan
Gad
Asher
Naphtali
Joseph (Menasseh and Ephraim)
Benjamin
The
8 Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall
have their fill
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs
is the Kingdom of Heaven
Note:
Reference Matthew 5:3-10. Note that "meek" here is the perhaps
unfortunate English translation of the Greek word "praótes," meaning
"temperate," "displaying the right blend of force and reserve or
gentleness," "avoiding unnecessary harshness, yet without compromising
or being too slow to use necessary force." It refers to not giving in
to the desire for evil to come to those who do you wrong. It doesn't
refer to being a push-over or milquetoast.
The
14 Stations of the Cross
Jesus
is Condemned to Die
Jesus is Made to Bear His Cross
Jesus Falls the First Time
Jesus Meets His Mother
Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
Veronica Wipes Jesus' Face
Jesus Falls the Second Time
Jesus
Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus Falls the Third Time
Jesus is Stripped
Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
The
7 Sorrows (Dolours) and 7 Joys of Our Lady
| Sorrows (Dolours): |
Joys: |
| The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:33-35) |
The Annunciation (Luke 1:27-38) |
| The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 3: 13-15) |
The Visitation (Luke 1:39-58) |
| The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-52) |
The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:7) |
| The Meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross (John
19:17) |
The Adoration of the Magi (Matthew 2:7-11) |
| The Crucifixion (John 19:25-30) |
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46) |
| The Taking Down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross (John 19:
31-37) |
The Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-9) |
| Jesus laid in the Tomb (John 19:38-42) |
The Assumption and Coronation of the Blessed Virgin
(Apocalypse 12) |
The
7 Sorrows and 7 Joys of St. Joseph
| Sorrows: |
Joys: |
| The doubt of Saint Joseph (Matthew 1:19) |
The Message of the Angel (Matthew 1:20) |
| The poverty of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:7) |
Jesus' Birth itself (Luke 2:7) |
| The Circumcision (Luke 2:21) |
The Holy Name of Jesus (Matthew 1:25) |
| Simeon's prophecy that many would be lost (Luke 2:34) |
Simeon's prophecy that many would rise (Luke 2:34) |
| The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14) |
The Overthrow of Idols (Isaias 19:1) |
| The return from Egypt (Matthew 2:22) |
Life with Mary and Jesus (Luke 2:39) |
| The loss of the Child Jesus (Luke 2:45) |
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:46) |
The
15 Mysteries of the Holy Rosary & When They are Prayed
|
Joyful:
Annunciation
Visitation
Nativity
Presentation
Finding Jesus in the Temple
Sorrowful:
Agony in the Garden
The Scourging
Crowning with thorns
Carrying of the Cross
Crucifixion
Glorious:
Resurrection
Ascension
Pentecost
Assumption
Crowning of Mary |
|
Mondays:
|
|
Joyful |
|
Tuesdays:
|
|
Sorrowful |
|
Wednesdays:
|
|
Glorious |
|
Thursdays:
|
|
Joyful |
|
Fridays:
|
|
Sorrowful |
|
Saturdays:
|
|
Glorious |
|
Sundays in
Advent, Christmastide & Epiphany:
|
|
Joyful |
|
Sundays in
Eastertide & Time After Pentecost:
|
|
Glorious |
|
Sundays in
Septuagesima & Lent:
|
|
Sorrowful |
|
|
|
|
Note:
In October 2002, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, recommended adding 5
more Mysteries to the Rosary to be prayed on Thursdays -- the "Luminous
Mysteries" which focus on Jesus' public life. These Mysteries are:
The Baptism in
the Jordan
The Marriage Feast at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist
This novelty does not change the true Rosary and is merely
presented as an option for Christians. This option, however, is one
that totally disrupts the relationship between the Rosary and the
Breviary's Psalms. Stick with the classic tried-and-true Rosary. To
read why adding Mysteries to the Rosary was a most horrible idea, see this page, and to read a critique of Pope John
Paul II's Encyclical on the matter, see this page (both pages offsite, will open in new
browser window)
The
Order of Creation
|
1st Day:
|
A dividing of light from darkness brings forth Heaven and a
formless, water-covered Earth, then Light |
|
2nd Day:
|
A dividing of the waters above from the waters below to
create the Firmament of Heaven |
|
3rd Day:
|
A dividing of the waters under the heavens to form dry land;
then grass, herbs, and fruit trees |
|
4th Day:
|
Sun, Moon and Stars |
|
5th Day:
|
Creatures of the waters and of the air |
|
6th Day:
|
Creatures of the land, then Man |
Note:
God, Who is of the supernatural order, created the natural and
preternatural (e.g., the angelic) orders out of nothing (ex nihilo),
in time ("in the beginning"), and for His own pleasure. Only God can
"create," and because of this, in the strict sense, it is actually
rather blasphemous to
refer to man as "creating" anything ("create" and "creation" have come
to have everyday meanings, so don't be ridiculous about that). Man can
produce, re-produce,
manufacture, form, fashion, fabricate, design, shape, or make -- but he
cannot bring into existence anything out of nothing. Angels and demons,
too, are limited and cannot do the truly miraculous. They are able,
however, to take what is created and manipulate it in ways that seem
miraculous and are able to influence our perceptions and imaginations.
You can remember the Order of Creation by thinking of the first three
days as days which God spent creating forms and frameworks by
dividing the elements, and the last three days as the days He spent
creating things to fill those forms created by dividing the elements,
e.g.:
| Day 1 Light |
 |
Day 4 specific forms of light in the Sun, Moon,
and Stars |
| Day 2 the Firmament/waters |
|
Day 5 birds to fill the firmament, and fish to fill the
waters |
| Day 3 dry land |
|
Day 6 land animals and man |
The
9 Choirs of Angels
In ascending order:
Angels
Archangels
Principalities
Powers
Virtues
Dominions
Thrones
Cherubim
Seraphim
Note:
The Choir of Angels is divided into three triads with specific concerns:
|
The 1st triad:
|
Angels, Archangels, and Principalities: concern themselves
with the minute ordering of the universe and specific causes, including
the welfare of people. Each human being, each church, and each country
has a Guardian Angel. The Feast of the Guardian Angels is October 2.
|
|
The 2nd triad:
|
Powers, Virtues and Dominions: known as the "angels of
creation" because they concern themselves with the ordering of the
universe and a plurality of causes. |
|
The 3rd triad:
|
Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim: concern themselves with
contemplating the glory of God. It is the 6-winged Seraphim who sing
the Sanctus, "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts" (Isaias 6:3). |
Angels (the word means "Messengers") are spirits (there was
and is debate as to whether they are pure spirit like God or whether
they are possess "subtle matter" and are corporeal in a different way
from us), created before man, who were given one choice at the
beginning of Creation: the Kingdom of God -- or the Absence of God,
which is the Kingdom of Satan, the first Angel who rebelled.
There are 7 Archangels (Tobias 12:15). We know the names of 3 of them
from Scripture:
- Michael (Daniel, Epistle of St. Jude, Apocalypse of St.
John), whose name means "Who is like God" and whose Feast is September
29;
- Gabriel (Daniel and Luke), whose name means "Strength of God"
and whose Feast is March 24; and
- Raphael (Tobias), whose name means "Medicine of God" and
whose Feast is October 24.
The apocryphal Book of Enoch lists the other 4 as:
- Uriel;
- Raguel;
- Sariel; and
- Jeramiel.
A
mnemonic to help you remember the Nine Choirs of
Angels:
AN ARmy PRizefighter POker VIrtuoso DOminated THe CHampionship
SEries
The
3 Levels of Reverence
| Dulia: |
the reverence we give to Saints |
| Hyperdulia: |
the reverence we give to Mary as the greatest of Saints and
Mother of God |
| Latria: |
the reverence and worship we give to God alone
|
The
14 Holy Helpers
St.
George, Martyr, April 23
St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, February 3
St. Pantaleon, Martyr, July 27
St. Vitus, Martyr, June 15
St. Erasmus (Elmo), Bishop and Martyr, June 2
St. Christopher, Martyr, July 25
St. Giles, Abbot, September 1
St. Cyriacus (Cyriac), Martyr, August 8
St. Achatius, Martyr, May 8
St. Dionysius (Denis), Bishop and Martyr, October 9
St. Eustachius (Eustace), Martyr, September 20
St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr, November 25
St. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr, July 20
St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, December 4
Note:
The "Holy Helpers" or "Auxiliary Saints" are Saints who first became
grouped together and
invoked together during the Black Plague. Learn more about them on the Feast of the Fourteen Holy
Helpers page.
The
7 Last Words of Christ
| Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. |
|
(Luke 23:34) |
| Amen I say to thee: This day thou shalt be with me in
paradise. |
|
(Luke 23:43) |
| Woman, behold thy son. . . .Behold thy mother. |
|
(John 19:26-27) |
| Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? (My God, My God, why hast Thou
forsaken me?) |
|
(Matthew 27:46, ref. Psalm 21) |
| I thirst. |
|
(John 19:28) |
| It is consummated. |
|
(John 19:30) |
| Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. |
|
(Luke 23:46, ref. Psalm 30:6) |
The
4 Last Things (The Novissima)
Death
Judgement
Heaven
Hell
 Back to Being Catholic
Index
|
