Information about Catholicism

A great video that gives an overview of Catholicism

What is the place of worship? What are the major features of this place?  

A Church

Catholic Christians worship at churches. All churches have an atrium, a basilica, a bema, a mausoleum, and a cruciform ground plan.

What holy book do they use and what holy days do they observe?

The Bible

Catholics use the Bible, which consists of 66 books from the Old and New testaments. One of the multiple holidays that Catholics observe is Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. They also celebrate, the Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

What traditions or rituals do they follow?

Child being baptized

Catholics follow many traditions and rituals. One of them is baptism, the religious rite of sprinkling water onto a persons head, or of immersion into water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission into the Christian Church. Baptism is mostly performed to children. Another ritual is the last rites, the rites performed on a person who is about to die, the preacher prays for salvation. One of the important traditions that Catholics follow is the First Communion, this ceremony is when the believer eats the Holy Body and the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, presented by Bread and Wine. 

How does this monotheistic religion differ from the other major monotheistic religions?

Picture of the 3 religious symbols

Christianity differs from the other major monotheistic religions for many reasons. The main reasons are different prophets, different places of worship, and different main days of worship. Christianity has Jesus Christ, Judaism has Moses, and Islam has Muhammad. Christians worship in churches while Jews worship in synagogues, and Muslims worship in Mosques. Christians worship on Sunday, Jews worship on Saturday, and Muslims worship on Friday.

How does your sect differ from other major sects in your religion?

Map of Christianity

There are 3 major sects in Christianity, Catholicism, Easter Orthodox, and Protestantism. Catholicism originated in Rome, while Protestantism originated in Britain and Germany, and Eastern Orthodox originated in the Byzantium Empire. Many Protestant hymns are written in German. Catholic Mass is said in Latin. One of the largest groups within Eastern Orthodoxy is the Greek Orthodox. 

How and where did this particular branch develop?

Pope Benedict XVI

This branch developed when church leaders decided to contact each other and agreed on core doctrines. This branch continued to develop when emperors in Rome started to convert to it. The bishop of Rome became very prestigious and became Pope over the other bishops.

What are the demographics of where this sect can be found? How many people practice this

            particular branch?

Map of Catholics around the world

A majority of Catholics are found in the Americas and Europe. There over a billion people who practice this branch of Christianity.