The Four Marks of the Church

There are four main marks of the Church that reflect  upon our creation and our destination. These four marks of the Church come directly from Christ as our founder, and will continue until the end of time. Therefore, the Church is perennial (never-ending) and always works by these four marks.

The First Mark: One

The oneness of the Church is prevalent in its creation and destination. The Catholic Church was the only Church founded by Christ and given to the Apostles to maintain over time. Other Churches (besides those of the Catholic Rites) are not fraudulent, but aren't the true Church Christ made on earth. Our creation by Christ guides His pilgrim Church on earth so that all of its members can attain eternal salvation.




The Second Mark: Holy

The Church is said to be holy primarily because it was founded by Christ Himself. Furthermore, the Church is holy because through it we are able to attain salvation that can only be given through the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Church isn't just made up of people on earth, but rather a dual-connection between people and earth and the saints in heaven. Through the Church, people are able to become saints, adding to the second mark of holy.



The Third Mark: Catholic

In modern usage, the word "Catholic" means universal. In terms of the Church, this definition gives the best explanation of its goals and message. The Catholic Church strives for unity, and its goal for all its members and members on earth to attain salvation through Christ and its sacraments. The Catholic Church is not a selective organization, but rather open to everyone at every time.



The Fourth Mark: Apostolic

The Church can be called "Apostolic" because of its founding with the Twelve Apostles and its Apostolic succession, defined as the true line of bishops and popes from St. Peter. When Christ founded the Church, he gave St. Peter the ability to bind and loose, and Catholics know that every pope is from the line of St. Peter and thus has Christ's authority.

-atohme

Rites in the Catholic Church

The Catholic Church has many different rites that began from the ancient Roman times and continue into the modern day. This has developed from many different forms of worship with each preserving its own cultural and artistic heritage.

There are over 20 Rites in the Catholic Church today; and each of these rites is in full communion with the others. As opposed to the Orthodox Church, who do not accept papal infallibility, the Rites of the Catholic Church are mostly the same except in the Form of Prayer. The word "Western Rite" refers to the Western Churches, such as the ones established in Rome. Here are a few Catholic Rites:

The Alexandrian Rite

This rite is also known as the Coptic Rite, originated in Egypt and includes the Ethiopian Rite. The languages in this liturgy are Coptic, Arabic and Ge'ez.



The Antiochene Rite

This was developed under the Church of Jerusalem but named for the origin of the Church in Antioch. From this rite develop the Maronite and Syrian Catholics. The official language is Arabic.



The Armenian Rite

Traces its origins back to Early Church Fathers and Armenian is used as its language of founding .





Source: The Church: Sacrament of Salvation by Dr. Scott Hahn
-atohme

Racism and the Church: Something to Make All Catholics Proud

Racism is a huge issue in our world. Prejudices simply because of someone's skin color are rampant, and intolerance has led to violence and hatred. Racism was so intertwined in our culture and government, a massive, years-long movement was needed to only superficially squash it. But even today, remnants of the KKK and other hate organizations continue to do what they do best: hate.

The Catholic Church stands on the polar opposite of such hate organizations as the KKK. Theologically speaking, Catholics recognize the equality of all persons. We were all created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, we all have inviolable dignity. Superficial qualities such as skin color or ethnicity do not hinder this inherent attribute in the slightest. To the Catholic Church, and rightly so, there is no justification for racism.

Beyond such reasoning, the Church is all about love. Catholics believe Jesus/God is the epitome of love, and thus strive to be like Him. Jesus also commands us in his New Law of Love to love one another as He loves us, meaning love without limitation. Hate is not in the Church's vocabulary, and thus neither is racism.

This is an issue that has to make all Catholics proud. Now that the public has a negative consensus on racism and it is no longer a "controversial" issue, its easy to see that the Church had things right all along. When our country employed slave labor, the Church spoke out against it. When colored people had different rights than whites, the Church spoke out against it. And when the South segregated colored individuals from whites, the Church, rightly so, spoke out against it. Recognizing that the Church has always taken the right stance on an issue like racism makes me proud to be a Catholic.

It makes you wonder which other seemingly "controversial" topics the Church has taken hard stances on will be crystal-clear in the future...

-Shoe

The Church and Schisms

Approximately 700 years ago, perhaps the largest schism the Catholic Church has ever faced occurred. Known as the Protestant Reformation, this grand series of splits rattled the Catholic Church, forcing her to gather and further clarify/declare her beliefs. This was certainly not the first attempt at disunity from the Church; the Eastern Churches had separated hundreds of years before. However, this time of schism would prove significant in years to come simply by the sheer number of followers the various denominations would attract.

As a Grad student, you have probably encountered the remnants of such schisms on your respective school's campus. A middle-aged man dressed in a coat and tie likely approached you, pushed a bible in your hands, and popped the question, "Do you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?" Sects of Protestants have fiery, and honestly overbearing, evangelical programs aimed at youth (and especially educated youth). Here are the Catholic Church's teachings on schism.

The Catholic Encyclopedia defines schism:

"Schism (from the Greek schisma, rent, division) is, in the language of theology and canon law, the rupture of ecclesiastical union and unity, i.e. either the act by which one of the faithful severs as far as in him lies the ties which bind him to the social organization of the Church and make him a member of the mystical body of Christ, or the state of dissociation or separation which is the result of that act." 

Separating from the Pope/the Catholic community harms the unity and oneness of the Church, and is seen as a sin against such. It is interesting how all schisms start out with good intentions. However, these good intentions are extrapolated to the Church and its authority, resulting in a separation from such authority. For example, Martin Luther was absolutely correct when he criticized the selling of indulgences. By creating a new and separate church however, he simply took this idea too far. Such schismatics took their criticisms too far, and greatly harmed the unity and oneness of the Church. 

When you're discerning your faith, remember this. Eastern and Protestant Churches split from the Pope and the Church, and not the other way around. The one whole and complete Truth lies only within the Catholic Church. Sure, there are elements of Truth in all religions, ESPECIALLY different Christian denominations. But the Catholic Church is the true Church that Jesus Christ instituted to save us all. 
-Shoe
Sources:
Forget, Jacques. "Schism." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 14 Apr. 2013<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13529a.htm>.

Purgatory- Cleansing before the Beatific Vision

A big issue in today's society is what happens after we die. In the Catholic Faith, we believe that we either go to Heaven, due to our good actions on earth, or Hell, if we commit bad actions on earth. However, there is a third place that is less-discussed in Christian Literature. This place is called Purgatory- a place where one is to be cleansed before entering Heaven and experiencing God.

An artistic conception of Purgatory 

Why we need Purgatory

Purgatory is necessary in order to truly experience God. We know God is infinite and the ultimate sign of Love, so in order for us to be worthy to be in His presence, we must be cleansed. This "cleansing" is known in the place of Purgatory.

Catholic Church Teachings

Many Ecumenical Councils, including the Council of Trent, have discussed the issue of Purgatory. The Council of Trent in 1551 set a definitive teaching on Purgatory, explaining,

"To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the 'eternal punishment' of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the 'temporal punishment' of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain. [Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712-1713; (1563): 1820.]"

Essentially, the purification of Purgatory frees the human from the temporal punishment of sin. When this punishment of sin is alleviated, our connection with God is restored, and we are able to enter into Heaven. Think of this as a shower with good consequences.

-atohme