Grow more deeply in your relationship with God by knowing Mary more intimately. Let's explore the meaning behind the four Marian dogmas: Mother of God, Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, and her Assumption into Heaven. About the Series Faith Basics are concise explanations of various dimensions of the Catholic Faith aimed at a popular audience. They both inform and inspire readers to understand and live the Faith. Their convenient size makes them readily portable. They are economically priced and thus are ideal for distribution in evangelization efforts, RCIA classes, study groups, and various outreach programs.

The perfect reference tool for home, school, or parish now includes two new sections! Catholic Quick View, Second Edition is handy, concise, and small enough to throw in your backpack or briefcase. This book offers speedy access to some of the core elements of Catholicism, including these: beliefs prayers common practices over 300 terms and definitions NEW! Symbols NEW! Saints The book also includes an extra introductory section on Catholicism, and the following sections: Core Catholic Teachings on Reason and Revelation Core Catholic Teachings on the Scriptures and Tradition Core Catholic Understandings on Biblical Inspiration and Interpretation Whether young or young at heart, Catholic or not, readers of Catholic Quick View, Second Edition will have easy entry into the basics of this 2,000-year-old tradition. Teens, college students, teachers, catechists . . . Don't let your bookshelf be caught without the Catholic Quick View, Second Edition.

Over 3 million copies sold! Essential reading for Catholics of all walks of life. Here it is - the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholics around the world commonly believe. The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. The word catechism means "instruction" - this book will serve as the standard for all future catechisms. Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.

There are more than one billion Catholics in the world, and each one has a similar 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. So what is the Catholic culture like and what do they believe? Catholicism For Dummies answers these and many other questions. Whether you’re a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. No sweat. Regardless of whether you’re engaged, married, related to a Catholic, or just curious about what Catholics really do believe, this book is for you. Catholicism For Dummies is not a catechism or religious textbook, but a casual, down-to-earth introduction for non-Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. It gives commonsense explanations so that the next time you’re invited to a Catholic wedding, Baptism, funeral, Confirmation, or First Communion, you won’t be totally confused. You’ll also discover other important topics that can help you better understand the Catholic culture—from morality and devotions to worship and liturgy. This book will familiarize you with Catholicism by showing you: What it means to be a Catholic: traditions, prayers, beliefs, and holidays Who is who in the Catholic hierarchy How Catholics worship What the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments are The book regarded as the holiest to Catholics: The Bible The Church’s stand on some sticky issues Catholicism For Dummies presents a rich tapestry and history of the Catholic faith—from devotions to doctrines. 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.

"Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, has always been a stumbling block to understanding among divided Christians. Many Protestants have believed that the Marian devotions practiced by Catholics detract from the centrality of Jesus himself. To Catholics, the dilution of Mary's role in the history of salvation by Protestants has come across as harsh and even unscriptural." "The Dombes Group in south cental France, comprised of Roman Catholic and Reformed scholars, has taken a fresh look at the place of Mary in Christian faith and concluded that she has been more the victim than the cause of discord. The participants found themselves "at one" in their acceptance of the virginal conception and motherhood of Mary. At the same time, the group reminded their coreligionists of areas where both sides still need to be "converted" to authentic Christianity. While warning against the excesses of goddess-theology, they nevertheless concluded that Mary exemplifies "the decisive and perfect example of the Yes which Christian faith must utter.""--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved