The Catholic Denomination

The Catholic Church, commonly known as the Roman Catholic Church, has well over one billion members, approximately one-sixth of the world's population. It's the world's largest Christian denomination. It's also the largest organized body of any world religion. Catholics are led by the Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome, currently His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it is the "one holy catholic and apostolic Church founded by Jesus Christ." Section 8 of the Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Church, Lumen Gentium [1] states that "the one Church of Christ which in the Creed is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic, ... constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him".

Catholics seek forgiveness of their sins and follow the example and teaching of Jesus. They believe that Jesus has provided seven sacraments which give Grace from God to the believer. The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The Catholic sacraments are:

Baptism - the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether believers are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

Eucharist - Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. It's a celebration of the Mass, (the Eucharistic liturgy) and the consecrated bread and wine which according to the faith become the body and blood of Christ. When Catholics receive Christ's Body and Blood, they are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

Reconciliation - The Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as the Sacrament of Penance or Penance and Reconciliation, has three elements. They are: conversion, confession and celebration. In it Catholics find God's unconditional forgiveness, and are called upon to forgive others.

Confirmation - Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is a Sacrament of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God's fidelity to us.

Marriage - For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

Holy Orders - In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

Anointing of the Sick - The Catholic sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.

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