Curious About Catholicism? 5 Great Resources Catholicism is the oldest Form of Christianity, Rich with History, Traditions, Faith

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

According to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), “A catechism is the name given to a written work that contains a summary of all the beliefs of the faith that is used as a teaching tool.” The Catechism is available in book form and can also be found online (www.usccb.org is one of the many sites that publishes the Catechimsm in its entirety). It is a reference book organized into four parts: The Profession of Faith, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ, and Christian Prayer. You can easily search the Table of Contents and index for topics that interest you or to help you answer questions about the Catholic faith.

Attend a Catholic Mass

Catholics go to Mass, not services. The Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic faith. Most Sunday (or Saturday evening) Masses last about an hour. Daily Masses, which are also offered in most Catholic parishes, will last about 30 minutes and may be less intimidating for someone who is not Catholic. Call your local Catholic church and tell the parish priest that you are a non-Catholic and would like to attend a Mass, or ask a Catholic friend if you can accompany him or her to Mass. Please dress appropriately (business clothes are always a safe bet), and you may want to sit toward the back of the church so you will know when to sit, stand and kneel (although you may sit if you do not feel comfortable kneeling or are physically unable to kneel). Most churches have missalettes, or books that contain all the readings and prayers of the Mass so that you can follow along. You will not be able to receive Communion until you officially join the Church, but you can approach the altar for a blessing. The common signal for a blessing is arms crossed over your chest.