Why We Love The Catholic Faith

With hard doctrines such as the reality of hell and the importance of self-sacrifice, the Catholic Faith is not looked upon very favorably by many in our modern, pleasure-seeking society. Frankly, Catholicism isn't much fun by worldly standards. Despite the great number of Catholics in various nations, becoming one won't make you popular. In fact, you might face ridicule and scorn due to your decision to become or fully live out the Catholic faith. Although the Church can't promise you an easy life full of pleasure, it can offer you so much more - and the gifts you will receive far outweigh any earthly joy one might receive from a hedonistic life. Although it is hard to put the treasures of our precious gift of Catholicism into words, here is a sampling of some of the great benefits of the Catholic faith:

• The Catholic Church alone validly confects the Eucharist, the True Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you." (Jn. 6:53) Jesus commanded that we eat of His Body and Blood and even allowed his disciples to leave Him because they found the teaching too hard to accept. He would also have allowed the apostles to leave Him if they could not accept it. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." (Jn. 6:54-56) Be not fooled, the Eucharist is Jesus Himself. In fact, the following passage makes this fact even more clear: "Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Cor. 11:27) Obviously, this is not mere bread and wine! Jesus is validly found only in the Catholic Church. This alone should be enough to satisfy any honest follower of Jesus Christ!

• The Catholic Church is the only church established by Jesus Christ. No one else can make such a claim. This is a matter of historical fact, not a matter of opinion. All so-called 'Christian' denominations other than the Catholic Church were made by man. Even critics cannot deny this fact without distorting history to suit their purposes. Jesus said to St. Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Mt. 16:17-19) Why would anyone want to be involved in another 'Christian church' when Jesus has left only one true Church with the keys to the kingdom of Heaven? We have been warned that 'savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock' (ACTS 20:29) and that 'If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works." (2JN 1:10-11) All but one church - the Catholic Church - is man made. And, all but one church - the Catholic Church - teaches at least some corrupt doctrines. If we must 'work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling' (PHIL 2:12), who would dare attempt to do so in a denomination specifically opposed to the one true Church that Christ established? [Note: For additional apologetics information, please visit the non-Catholics section.]

• The Catholic Church gave the world the Bible. Had it not been for the Catholic Church, there would not be a Christian Bible. The Catholic Church painstakingly determined and protected the Word of God despite the absence of printing presses, ink, durable paper, and widespread illiteracy. Strangely enough, all other so-called 'Christian churches' accept (most of) the Bible, yet reject the Church that gave it to them. 

• The Pope is the direct successor to Peter. The Catholic Church alone can trace its roots from the current Pope back to the first head of the Church, Peter, who was designated thus by Jesus Christ.  Far from placing upon us a burden (as some think), being subject to the Pope is a great blessing. Unlike those of other 'Christian' denominations, we have a visible, universal, authoritative head of the Church. Rather than rely our subjective interpretation or the interpretation of some self-appointed or elected 'pastor', we can rely on the only person on earth divinely sanctioned by Jesus to head His Church. Other so-called 'Christian' groups - despite varying degrees of knowledge - make themselves into "mini-popes" by asserting that their own personal interpretation is the only correct one or that all interpretations are equally correct - and thus make a mockery of truth. In contrast, the Catholic Church has the full truth under the guidance of a single leader who is protected by the Holy Spirit. We count on Jesus fulfilling his promise that he would always remain with the Church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. Just as an army could not operate well without a commander, or a company could not function without a leader, the Christian army (those of us struggling on Earth) would be swept away "by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery" (EPH 4:14) were it not for the rock of our faith, and our leader, the Pope. The fact that there have been bad popes does not negate this truth, but highlights the fact that the Church is divinely protected since She has never formally taught error despite some poor leaders.

• Solid as a rock, the doctrines of the Catholic Church aren't swayed by the winds of change. Despite the viewpoints of others outside the Church, an honest study of history will show that the early Christians believed the same doctrines as we still do (the early Christians were Catholics even though the term wasn't in wide use until about 100 A.D.). We have, however, assigned names to some teachings and coined words to refer to them (e.g. "Trinity"). As Catholics, we know that truth is unchanging. Just as a baby's external appearance is altered over time while remaining the same person inside, the doctrines of the Catholic Church remain unchanged since the days of the Apostles. Catholics alone believe and hold fast to the fullness of God's truths as revealed to the Apostles.

• The Catholic faith is the only fully biblical faith (and is actually pre-biblical since the Catholic Church existed before the Bible was written). For example, Catholics are generally the only ones who fulfill Mary's promise and call her blessed (LK 1:48), Catholics nearly stand alone in following Jesus' teaching forbidding divorce (MT 5:31-32, MT 19:3-9, MK 10:2-12, LK 16:18), Catholics are the only ones who follow all the oral traditions as Paul instructed (2 THES 2:15), Catholics are the only ones who (lawfully) eat of the true Flesh and drink of the true Blood of the Son of Man (JN 6:53), Catholics also practice confession of sins as instructed in JMS 5:16, and Catholics clearly "work out (our) salvation with fear and trembling" (PHIL 2:12) unlike those who, ignoring the clear teachings of Sacred Scripture, feel that the heartfelt repetition of a single sentence will assure their eternal salvation. Unfortunately, people are often misled into believing that Catholics, the only fully 'Bible-believing Christians' - and the very ones who provided the world with the Bible - don't follow the Bible. 

• As Catholics, we can rest in the knowledge that we have the full truth as revealed by Jesus - nothing is missing and nothing is distorted in the Church's official teachings. We alone retain the full truth. Jesus established just one Church and promised its continued protection. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we are spared suffering through endless subjective questions about doctrinal matters which divide so many denominations who feel they are somehow able, each person on their own, to fully and correctly understand the holy Word of God, which all scholars admit is difficult reading (and despite the fact that bibles were hard to come by before the printing press was invented - that is, for most of Christianity).

• Catholics enjoy the great blessing of Confession. Although misunderstood by many, Confession is a great treasure for Catholics where we receive the forgiveness of sins as well as guidance to help avoid sin. Just as we seek a doctor when we have a physical sickness, Catholics seek a "doctor of souls" when we have a spiritual sickness. Sacred Scripture clearly shows that Jesus wanted us to confess our sins to others and gave the Apostles the power to forgive sins (Catholic bishops of today are successors of the Apostles). Despite the media's misrepresentation of it, Confession is a great gift to Catholics. We are blessed beyond measure to be members of the only Church in which Jesus bestowed the power of forgiving sins.  

• Unlike other so called 'Christian' religions who break off from their "parent church" more often than can be counted, the Catholic Church remains united and universal. In fact, the word "Catholic" comes from a Greek word meaning 'universal'. Catholics can rest assured that our Church will stand test of time, despite persecution by the media and those who hate us or Church teachings (or simply misunderstand them). We have this promise directly from Jesus.

• Jesus promised that the Catholic Church will withstand the gates of Hell. No other so-called 'Christian' denomination has such assurance. The fact that the Catholic Church still exists today despite intense, horrific, and brutal persecution over the centuries is testament to Jesus' faithfulness to this promise. 

• If you want to gain access to a building, follow  the person with the keys! Only in the Catholic Church can be found the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (MT 16:19) Why would anyone calling themselves 'Christian' want to forgo the one true Church with the keys to the kingdom of heaven - the only Church founded by Christ - and instead base their salvation on a man-made faith which does not have these keys?  

• After confirming Peter's love, Christ instructed Peter as follows:  "Feed my lambs" (JN 21:15), "Tend my sheep" (JN 21:16), and "Feed my sheep" (JN 21:17). Jesus, the good shepherd, gave the care of his flock to Peter. Jesus wants us to be of one fold. By being a Catholic, we know that we are doing as Jesus desires - and that we are His sheep.  

• The Catholic Church alone is responsible for fulfilling Jesus' command to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (MT 28:19) Other so called 'Christian churches' appear on street corners to serve local needs and never make it past the city borders. While Catholics worship the True Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, others advertise "better-tasting donuts" and "more hip music." The Catholic Church alone is responsible for the sharing of the Christian faith throughout the world. Even Protestants originally learned of Christ through the Catholic Church. Catholics can go nearly anywhere in the world and find a Catholic Church.  

• The Catholic Church stands alone with its so-called "outdated" teachings on contraception, matrimony, what makes a moral life, and each person's very right to life. Those of us who understand these teachings realize how truly wonderful they are and that they can lead to a life of increased richness on earth. However, it clearly takes a Church directed by the Holy Spirit to hold fast to these unpopular teachings in our modern world despite the persecution we suffer for it. Even many Catholics misunderstand our teachings (or simply don't care for them) and lose out on the many benefits they provide (not to mention endangering their souls). An honest assessment of these Catholic teachings reveals the great peace and happiness that they can bring to our lives. Those who truly live out the Catholic life live differently than they would otherwise - but it is a much more spiritually rewarding life, and it is a life more pleasing to God. And, to live otherwise is to endanger one's eternal salvation.

• In Holy Scripture, we are warned: "Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour" (1PT 5:8). As Catholics, we have special tools to help us fight the war on evil. Although we are often criticized for our use of sacramentals, such as holy water and the rosary, these tools can bring us much closer to God. We don't believe these tools have any power in and of themselves, be we do recognize that God sometimes uses objects to manifest his blessings (as is illustrated in both the Old and New Testaments). The countless miracles and other benefits which have occurred as a result of sacramentals are proof of the good fruit of these devotions. Even when nothing extraordinary occurs as a result of using a holy object, such objects help keep our focus on God and on holiness - a much needed reminder in this modern world of ours. Most people who criticize the use of such tools misunderstand what we believe about them (such as thinking we idolize them or that they are somehow magic) or they simply have never put them to use in their own lives. It's hard to imagine that someone could devoutly focus on the mysteries of the holy Rosary without feeling closer to our Lord and His Blessed Mother. Without such devotions, others miss out on wonderful opportunities for grace, peace, and holiness.

• Our rich Catholic heritage has produced great fruits in areas of charity, martyrdom, and theology. The saints are shining examples of the blessings of the Catholic Church and they teach us how it is possible to avoid sin and live in holiness.

• As Catholics, we consider those in Heaven to be our friends. We honor the saints and trust that they will pray for us. We also cherish the beautiful gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary as our spiritual Mother as given to us by Jesus on the Cross. It is impossible to express the richness and blessings that the Blessed Virgin Mary and our other Heavenly brothers and sisters bring into our lives. If your Mother on earth can bring you much benefit, think how much your spiritual Mother in Heaven can give to you!

In summary, there are so many reasons we love our Catholic Faith. Like a multi-faceted jewel, there are many ways to look at this Divine gift and see its incredible benefits. Not only does the Church bring us true happiness on earth, but it also - by divine mandate - alone leads us on toward our Heavenly Home. 

Catholics are greatly blessed to be so. Catholics who really understand their faith could never leave it. Those who do leave the Church often do so out of ignorance, misinformation, laziness, or because they find a teaching affects their lifestyle in a way they aren't comfortable with. Many outside of the Church undoubtedly are mistaken about many of our beliefs and often have been taught incorrectly regarding the history of the Bible and of the Catholic Church. We hope that God will lead them all home to the beauty and truth of the Catholic Church. Of course scandals may sometimes exist in the Church on earth (since it is comprised of human beings), but those occur precisely because some Her members aren't living out Her teachings. Despite this, however, the official doctrinal teachings of the Church will always be spotless and pure. (The fact that the rest of the pleasure seeking world thinks we're outdated, provides an even greater testament to the truthfulness of the Catholic faith!) If you aren't Catholic, please consider embracing your only true spiritual home now. Any good priest should be able to help you. Once you come to really know the Catholic Church, you will love it too! Welcome Home!

Regi sæculórum immortáli et invisíbili, soli Deo honor et glória in sæcula sæculórum. (To the King of ages, immortal and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.) [Latin/English]

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