The Catholicism can be defined as that religion, faith, belief or doctrine practiced or professed by the so - called faithful of the Catholic Church; that is, in general, Catholicism is related to the religious experience exercised by individuals who live in communion with the Church of Rome. This religion is one of the three currents of the so-called Christianity, disseminated mostly in the countries of Western Europe and Latin America, existing since around 1504; In other words, since the second century the name of the Catholic Church, also called "Catholicism" to refer to the "Universal Church".
What is catholicism
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The definition of Catholicism comes from Greek roots, which means "doctrine of the Catholic Church", formed with lexical compounds such as "kata" which is equivalent to "on"; "Holos" which means "everything", and the suffix "ism" which refers to "doctrine". Other sources state that the term derives from the Greek word "καθολικός" or "katholikós" referring to "universal, which includes everything." The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy defines the word as "Community and universal union of those who live in the Catholic religion"; but it also provides another possible meaning that alludes to a belief of the Catholic Church.
The first records that are had of the use of the word emanate from the writings of Ignacio de Antioquía, who according to Juan Crisóstomo, would have been ordered by Pedro himself. Throughout history it can be declared that Catholicism is the doctrine or Christian branch with the largest number of followers in the world, divided into 3 branches which are the Orthodox, the Roman, and the Anglican; separated by certain political differences; although it is stated that today the separation is almost symbolic.
The origin of Catholicism
According to the letters of Ignatius of Antioch, Catholicism was born thanks to Saint Peter when he created the first universal church in the name of Jesus Christ. The command of the Catholic Church corresponds to the Bishop of Rome, that is, the Pope, who is considered the successor of the Apostle Peter, who, according to Catholic tradition (in conjunction with its history) was the first Pope. Currently, the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church is Francis.
The papal see, or as everyone knows it, the Holy See, has a preeminent place among the rest of the episcopal sees and there the central government of the Church is constituted, this means that it acts, speaks and is recognized at the level international as a sovereign entity. Two millennia of history have passed and the Catholic Church has managed to influence Western philosophy, science, art, and culture. In addition, he has managed to teach and spread the gospel, the merciful works (both corporal and spiritual) to care for the sick, afflicted, poor and the most needy throughout the world.
The Catholic Church is considered the largest provider of education and medicinal services in the world (without the need to be a government like the rest of the regions of the earth). The Christian religion has even more information and it is in its history that most of the answers to the questions raised after its origin and expansion throughout the world are found thanks to the Catholic faith.
History of Catholicism
During the first 280 years of its history, Catholicism was banned by the Roman Empire, thus causing Catholics to be irretrievably persecuted. But, thanks to the conversion of Constantine, who was Roman emperor during that time, everything changed for the better for Catholics. One of his actions was to legalize Catholicism and this became known through the Edict of Milan in 313. Finally, in 325, the emperor came to convene the Council of Nicea to try to unify Catholics.
Constantine's vision was to use Catholicism to unite the Roman Empire, in this way, it would not end up fragmenting (but it was too late, it was already divided). Furthermore, not everything was as Constantine made believe. He never wanted to adopt Catholic customs entirely, so far from having a productive outcome for religion, he actually mixed the Catholic faith with the pagan practices of ancient Rome. On the other hand, he knew that after the Roman Empire managed to expand and become expansive and diverse, not all people were going to renounce their religions and practices to adopt Catholicism.
So his most viable option was to convert pagan beliefs into Catholicism. The origin of Catholicism is a sad commitment of this religion to the pagan beliefs that abounded and surrounded it at that time. There was no intention of making the gospel the main belief, still less, that the pagans adopt this faith. He only “paganized” Christianity by mixing the differences and completely eliminating those characteristics that distinguished both religious beliefs.
Of course, one of the memorable things or aspects in the history of Catholicism is that Constantine made the Catholic Church become the supreme religion in the "Roman world" for many centuries.
The concept of Catholicism refers to all people who maintain faith in the church of Rome. Its headquarters are in Rome and after what has been described in the origin of Catholicism and in the history of Catholicism, it is very clear that, in the end, Constantine achieved his goal and more than enough, although of course, many things changed with the passage of the years, but in the end, it was all based in Rome and stayed there.
Characteristics of Catholicism
This religion has some dogmatic peculiarities, (characteristics of Catholicism described in a broad or general way) these are distributed in the recognition of the origin of the Holy Spirit (in which not only the God who created everything that exists is taken into account, but also also to Jesus as a son God), the recognition of the dogmas on purgatory, also on the direction of the Pope from his appointment in the holy see until his last days as supreme bishop of the Vatican.
In addition to this, there is talk of the differences in worship (multiple throughout the world) with respect to the Orthodox Church, which are distributed or broken down into the celibacy of the clergy and the development of Marianism, that is, the cult or devotion to the virgin. Another characteristic of Catholicism is that the Vatican is totally tied to the political and economic ideology of the monopoly bourgeoisie. Catholicism has, extends and continues to advance its power over Catholic parties and unions, youth and women's organizations, the press, editorials.
Finally and with great importance, Neo-Thomism has been proclaimed the official philosophy of Catholicism.
It is important to highlight that, just as this religion has characteristics, it also has attributes that individualize it. According to the doctrine, Catholicism is unique, holy, catholic and apostolic. Referring to the first attribution, unity, the Church is "one" thanks to its promoter: Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Saint Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, refers to the Church as the “Body of Christ”: “The parts of the body are many, but the body is one; no matter how many the parts, they all form a single body. "
In another letter, Paul also teaches about this attribute:
“Maintain ties of peace among yourselves and remain united in the same spirit. One body and one spirit, for you have been called to the same vocation and the same hope. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, who acts for all and is in all. Christ himself teaches and prays for this unity of his Church: all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you. May they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. "
Then there is holiness, which shows that despite the sins and faults that each member of the church that lives and pilgrims in the world tends to commit, it is considered holy because its founder is considered a saint and his acts are sanctified. It is followed by catholicity, here we speak of the universal church, the only one in the whole world and in which millions of people pilgrim on earth.
Finally, apostolicity, because in addition to being founded by Saint Peter, the other apostles also had a lot to do with its extension, since it was they who were in charge of preaching the word through their teachings and experiences. “The entire Apostolic College has full authority and power as long as it is in communion with Peter and his successors. Peter and the other Apostles have in the pope and the bishops their successors, who exercise the same authority and the same power that in their day exercised the first, who were chosen and instituted by Christ "
Symbols of Catholicism
One of the symbols of Catholicism whose fame stems from a rather sad story is the cross. According to the story, it was there that Jesus was crucified. Originally, criminals of the time were crucified and left to bleed to death. Jesus had to endure this cruel experience, but his followers, instead of demonizing the cross, took it as a symbol that represents holiness and, at the same time, the humanity of God the Son.
The cross is considered the tree of salvation for Catholic believers.
Another of the symbols of Catholicism is the sprinkler, an object by which holy water is sprinkled on people who have died, although the original tradition was carried out with men to remove evil energies and that their souls could find eternal rest. Then they included women.
The chalice and wine are also part of these symbols and refer to the Last Supper, the same one where Jesus took the chalice, poured the wine and told his apostles to drink from there.
In doing so, he told them that this was the cup of his blood, blood that would be shed for him, for them and for all the men of the world for the forgiveness of their sins. When drinking the wine, the blood of Christ is alluded to as compassion and goodness, two important aspects to put aside sins and live with Catholic pilgrims.
The fellowship is another symbol of Catholicism and refers to the bread that Jesus gave his apostles at the Last Supper.
In it, Jesus told them that it was his flesh, his body that one day was human and later would be holy, because he would go to the side of God the Father. Currently, in the church a host is given to make communion. There is also the candlestick of the 7 branches, which refers to the energies that the human body gives off.
The Star of David, which also gathers bodily energies and is used in the death of the pilgrims. The crown of Christ is part of these symbols, perhaps it is the most representative along with the cross.
This is because, during Jesus' journey with the cross on his back, one of the guards placed a crown of thorns on him to refer to the fact that he was the promised prince, the messiah (all with mockery and irony) and Jesus carried it until his last breath on the cross.
The wounds are another important symbol, as they are the reliable proof that the subject who was resurrected 3 days after the crucifixion was Jesus. Both the wounds of the hands, feet and the side gave faith and certainty that Christ was alive.
Finally, the priest's clothes. Many people will have noticed that priests comply with a specific clothing. During the worship or mass, they wear a sacred garment which consists of a chasuble, dalmatic, alba, habit, amice, stole and cincture, but outside the mass they use another garment, which consists of a cassock, manteo, moceta, clergyman, and collars. Sure, they can also use other types of clothing as long as it is appropriate, but in general, they tend to wear this.
Differences between Catholicism and Christianity
First of all, it must be clear that there are several types of Christianity, for example, Protestants and Anglicans and although it is said that Catholics are Christians, not all Christians are Catholic. There are certain differences and elements that separate the great gap between one religion and another, for example, the interpretation of the Bible. In Catholicism, there is a specific, canonical and accepted interpretation throughout the world, it could be said that it is quite strict, but in Christianity not, in fact, there the free interpretation of the holy book is recommended.
Another difference between Catholicism and Christianity is the acceptance and devotion to the Virgin Mary. In Christianity, they accept her, but they do not venerate her as in Catholicism, she is not considered a saint, she is simply the mother of Jesus. In Catholicism, the Virgin Mary plays a fundamental role, is sacred and synonymous with respect. The same happens with the saints, since Christianity does not see it as something relevant to mention or venerate the saints as they do in Catholic beliefs.
Another difference between Catholicism and Christianity is the figure of the pope. In Catholicism, the pope has the supreme authority and is the one who governs the steps of his followers, but, in Christianity, this figure is not accepted, there is no leader except the pastors or priests of the Christian churches and, nevertheless, they do not hold a power. There is also the difference of appreciation in the sacraments or commandments. In Christianity, following the 7 commandments is unnecessary, so they only use the most important ones (no killing is the imperative).
In Christianity, priests do not have to follow celibacy, that is, they can marry, have children and keep their legacy. In Catholicism that is totally prohibited. The church demands that their whole life be given to God and that they must worship, respect and love only him. Lastly, life after death. Although it is known that there is a heaven and a hell, in Catholic beliefs there is also a purgatory, a place in which sinners go after leaving earth to pay for everything they did wrongly in life, that is, pay for their sins.
