Discover the Catholic Faith
You don't have to understand everything before you begin. Explore what Catholics believe, what happens inside a Catholic church, why Catholics do the things they do, and how to begin living the faith.
No question is too basic. Click around. Explore. Learn at your own pace.
Featured Deep Dive
St. Thomas Aquinas
The Five Ways • Faith & Reason • The Angelic Doctor
Can reason lead us to God? Meet one of Christianity's greatest thinkers and explore his famous Five Ways for demonstrating God's existence.
Explore AquinasWhere Would You Like to Start?
Six ways to begin. Pick the one that fits you.
Explore a Catholic Church
Ever wondered what everything inside a Catholic church means? Explore the altar, tabernacle, confessional, holy water, candles, Stations of the Cross and more.
Enter the Church →Catholic Devotions & Sacramentals
Rosaries. Medals. Scapulars. Holy water. Sacred images. Discover what these Catholic practices mean — and what they don't mean.
Explore Devotions →Why Do Catholics Do That?
Why kneel? Why confess to a priest? Why pray for the dead? Why call a priest Father? Get straightforward answers to common questions.
Find Out Why →What Catholics Believe
Explore the Eucharist, Confession, Mary, the saints, Purgatory, Sacred Tradition, the Church and other essential Catholic beliefs.
Explore Catholic Beliefs →Living the Catholic Faith
Catholicism isn't merely something to understand. It's something to live. Learn about prayer, Mass, Confession, Scripture, fasting, Adoration and everyday Catholic life.
Learn to Live the Faith →Becoming Catholic
Thinking about becoming Catholic? Already baptized? Never baptized? Catholic but never confirmed? Start here.
Begin Here →Step Inside a Catholic Church
Catholic churches are filled with signs and symbols. Click an object to discover what it means.
Explore What's Inside
What's That?
The sacred objects you'll see used at Mass and in Catholic worship.
Chalice
Short AnswerPaten
Short AnswerCiborium
Short AnswerMonstrance
Short AnswerThurible
Short AnswerCruets
Short AnswerVestments
Short AnswerRosary
Short AnswerCatholic Devotions & Sacramentals
Rosaries. Medals. Scapulars. Holy water. Sacred images. Discover what these Catholic practices mean — and what they don't.
Catholics use physical things because Christianity itself is deeply physical. God created matter. Jesus took on a human body. He used water, bread, wine, oil and touch. Catholic devotional life continues to recognize that physical things can direct our hearts toward spiritual realities.
Sacramentals Are Not Magic
Catholics don't believe medals, water, cloth, statues or other objects possess independent magical powers. Sacramentals are sacred signs that help direct us toward God and prepare us to receive His grace.
The Rosary
ReadBrown Scapular
ReadMiraculous Medal
ReadSt. Benedict Medal
ReadHoly Water
ReadEucharistic Adoration
ReadDivine Mercy
ReadSacred Heart of Jesus
ReadImmaculate Heart of Mary
ReadStations of the Cross
ReadNovenas
ReadRelics
ReadBlessed Candles
ReadFirst Friday Devotion
ReadFirst Saturday Devotion
ReadSaint Medals
ReadHome Prayer Corner
ReadYou've Seen Catholics Do It. But Why?
Catholic practices can look strange when nobody has ever explained them. Let's change that.
Why do Catholics make the Sign of the Cross?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics genuflect?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics kneel during Mass?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics use holy water?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics confess sins to a priest?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics call priests "Father"?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics pray to Mary?
Short AnswerDo Catholics worship Mary?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics pray to saints?
Short AnswerDo Catholics worship statues?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics light candles?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics use incense?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics pray the Rosary?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics pray for the dead?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics have Masses offered for people?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics fast before receiving Communion?
Short AnswerWhy can't everyone receive Communion at Catholic Mass?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics have crucifixes instead of empty crosses?
Short AnswerWhy does the priest wear different colors?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics bow?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics strike their chest during Mass?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics use Latin?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics have patron saints?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics bless themselves when passing a Catholic church?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics keep relics?
Short AnswerUnderstanding Catholic Beliefs
You don't have to agree before asking the question. Start by understanding what the Catholic Church actually teaches.
Jesus Christ
Short AnswerThe Trinity
Short AnswerThe Eucharist
Short AnswerThe Mass
Short AnswerBaptism
Short AnswerConfession
Short AnswerConfirmation
Short AnswerMarriage
Short AnswerHoly Orders
Short AnswerAnointing of the Sick
Short AnswerMary
Short AnswerThe Saints
Short AnswerPurgatory
Short AnswerHeaven
Short AnswerHell
Short AnswerMortal and Venial Sin
Short AnswerState of Grace
Short AnswerApostolic Succession
Short AnswerSacred Scripture
Short AnswerSacred Tradition
Short AnswerThe Magisterium
Short AnswerPapacy
Short AnswerCommunion of Saints
Short AnswerIndulgences
Short AnswerResurrection of the Body
Short AnswerJudgment
Short AnswerThe Second Coming
Short AnswerThe Seven Sacraments
Catholic life revolves around seven Sacraments instituted by Christ and entrusted to His Church.
Baptism
Short AnswerNew life in Christ
Confirmation
Short AnswerStrengthened by the Holy Spirit
Eucharist
Short AnswerThe Body and Blood of Christ
Reconciliation
Short AnswerForgiveness and restoration
Anointing of the Sick
Short AnswerGrace in serious illness and suffering
Holy Orders
Short AnswerService to Christ and His Church
Matrimony
Short AnswerA covenant between husband and wife
Okay... How Do I Actually Live This?
Learning what Catholics believe is only the beginning. Christianity is meant to change the way we live.
How to Pray
Short AnswerHow to Start Reading the Bible
Short AnswerHow to Pray the Rosary
Short AnswerHow to Go to Confession
Short AnswerHow to Make an Examination of Conscience
Short AnswerHow Often Should I Go to Confession?
Short AnswerHow to Attend Eucharistic Adoration
Short AnswerHow to Prepare for Mass
Short AnswerHow to Receive Communion
Short AnswerHow to Fast
Short AnswerFriday Abstinence
Short AnswerHoly Days of Obligation
Short AnswerMorning Prayer
Short AnswerNight Prayer
Short AnswerPraying Before Meals
Short AnswerPraying With Your Family
Short AnswerCreating a Catholic Home
Short AnswerChoosing a Patron Saint
Short AnswerFinding Your Place in a Parish
Short AnswerWorks of Mercy
Short AnswerGiving and Charity
Short AnswerI Don't Know What to Pray
That's okay. Christians have been handing prayers down to one another for centuries. Start here.
Our Father
Short AnswerHail Mary
Short AnswerGlory Be
Short AnswerApostles' Creed
Short AnswerNicene Creed
Short AnswerAct of Contrition
Short AnswerHail Holy Queen
Short AnswerMemorare
Short AnswerSt. Michael Prayer
Short AnswerGuardian Angel Prayer
Short AnswerPrayer Before Meals
Short AnswerPrayer After Meals
Short AnswerMorning Offering
Short AnswerCome, Holy Spirit
Short AnswerAnima Christi
Short AnswerPrayer to St. Joseph
Short AnswerFatima Prayer
Short AnswerDivine Mercy Chaplet
Short AnswerRosary
Short AnswerI'm New Here. What Do I Do?
Choose the path that fits your situation.
I Was Baptized in Another Christian Church
You usually aren't baptized again. Learn what happens next when someone from another Christian tradition becomes Catholic.
Show Me the Path →I Was Baptized Catholic but Never Confirmed
You're not alone. There is a path back into the full sacramental life of the Church.
What Do I Do? →I Was Raised Catholic but Haven't Been to Church in Years
You don't have to pretend you've never been away. Come back. We'll show you where to begin.
Coming Home →My Spouse Is Catholic
Curious about the faith your husband or wife practices? Start here without pressure.
Learn at Your Own Pace →I'm Just Curious
No commitment required. Ask questions. Read. Attend Mass. Learn what Catholics actually believe.
Start Exploring →Going to Catholic Mass for the First Time?
You don't need to know when to stand, sit or kneel before you walk through the door. Nobody is grading you.
Questions You Might Be Afraid to Ask
Ask them anyway. Christianity isn't threatened by sincere questions.
Do Catholics worship Mary?
Short AnswerWhy do Catholics pray to dead people?
Short AnswerIsn't calling a priest Father forbidden by the Bible?
Short AnswerWhy confess to a priest when I can confess directly to God?
Short AnswerAren't statues idols?
Short AnswerWhere is Purgatory in the Bible?
Short AnswerWhy isn't the Bible alone enough?
Short AnswerDid Catholics add books to the Bible?
Short AnswerWhy does the Catholic Bible have 73 books?
Short AnswerIs the Pope infallible?
Short AnswerDo Catholics believe the Pope can't sin?
Short AnswerWhy baptize babies?
Short AnswerIs the Eucharist really Jesus?
Short AnswerIsn't Communion just symbolic?
Short AnswerWhy can't non-Catholics receive Communion?
Short AnswerWhy does the Church have so many rules?
Short AnswerDo Catholics believe they earn salvation?
Short AnswerAre Catholics saved by works?
Short AnswerWhy does the Church have so much tradition?
Short AnswerDid Jesus actually establish a Church?
Short AnswerWas Peter really the first Pope?
Short AnswerWhat Did the Earliest Christians Believe?
Christianity didn't begin in the twenty-first century. Explore what Christians living closest to the Apostles wrote about the Church, Eucharist, Baptism, bishops, Confession and Christian worship.
Who Were the Church Fathers?
Short AnswerThe Didache
Short AnswerIgnatius of Antioch
Short AnswerJustin Martyr
Short AnswerIrenaeus
Short AnswerClement of Rome
Short AnswerPolycarp
Short AnswerTertullian
Short AnswerOrigen
Short AnswerAugustine
Short AnswerEarly Christians and the Eucharist
Short AnswerEarly Christians and Baptism
Short AnswerEarly Christians and Bishops
Short AnswerEarly Christians and Apostolic Succession
Short AnswerEarly Christians and Confession
Short AnswerEarly Christians and Mary
Short AnswerEarly Christians and Prayer for the Dead
Short AnswerWhat Did Early Christian Worship Look Like?
Short AnswerCatholic Words Explained
Catholic terminology, explained in plain English. Tap a term to expand.
What Are You Wondering About?
Still wondering? Search the whole hub.
Maybe You're Not Just Curious Anymore.
There comes a point when learning about the Catholic faith becomes something more than research.
Maybe you've started wondering whether God is actually calling you here.
You don't need to have every question answered first. Take the next step.
You are welcome to attend Catholic Mass even if you aren't Catholic. You won't be pressured to join. Come, listen, pray and see.
Thinking About Becoming Catholic?
You don't have to have it all figured out before you begin.