Beginning Catechesis

When someone is interested in beginning to learn and understand a faith that is new to them, or a faith that they have grown up with, it is important to return to the basics. The most rudimentary aspect to our Faith is something that has lasted centuries and has helped to spread the Faith to countries across the world, and still does so to this day. I am talking about the Creed, more specifically the Apostle's Creed. The Apostles Creed teaches us, in twelve parts very important teachings of our Faith. I will go in the twelve parts individually, and expand on them on their own pages.

The Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontius Pilate: was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell: the third day He rose again from the dead. He Ascended into Heaven: sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of the Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

(Catechism of the Council of Trent, "The Creed")

After the Creed, then it is important to learn about the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. They are part of the core rules that we live by, they explain how we are to relate and act toward God, toward our family, and toward our neighbors. 

The Ten Commandments:

1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
4. Honor your Father and your Mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbors goods.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1997 edition)

The Ten Commandments also help us to understand our Fallen nature, and through the Sacraments how we can return to God. The Sacraments are "properly called so because it is thus a sign of the grace of God, and an expression of invisible grace so that it bears its image and comes forth as its cause". (Peter Lombard, Sentences IV 1,4). The Sacraments are the methods instituted by Christ as a means of experiencing tangible grace in our life. Simply put, they are what they represent. The Church has seven Sacraments.

1. Baptism.
2. Confirmation.
3. Confession.
4. The Eucharist.
5. Holy Matrimony.
6. Anointing of the Sick.
7. Ordination.

There are also the Five Precepts of the Church:

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation, and rest from servile labor.
2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
3. You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.

The Last Four Things:

1. Death
2. Judgement
3. Heaven
4. Hell 

Lastly, we will look at prayer. Beginning with the three basic prayers every Catholic should know: the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be.

1. Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil. Amen.
2. Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord be with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
3. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.