The Basics of the Catholic Faith: What Every Catholic Should Know When Sharing Their Beliefs
A workplace conversation reminded me that sometimes the best way to evangelize is to simply be ready
The Moment That Sparked This Reflection
The other day at work, one of my employees—let’s call her K—discovered my Substack articles. She’s Catholic, too, and began asking me questions about our faith. I was happy to answer her questions, but later that evening, a thought stuck with me: As a Catholic, am I prepared to clearly and confidently explain the basics of what we believe when someone starts asking?
That conversation inspired this article. It’s not just for the curious or the new believer—it’s also for every practicing Catholic who wants to be ready when someone asks, “So, what do Catholics actually believe?”
1. The Core Beliefs of the Catholic Faith
At the heart of Catholicism is a simple yet profound truth: God loves you and has a plan for your life. Our faith is rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything we believe flows from that reality.
Here are the essential truths:
The Trinity – One God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ – Fully God and fully man, who came to save us from sin and reunite us with the Father.
The Church – Founded by Christ and built on the apostles, with the Pope as the successor of Peter.
The Sacraments – Outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
The Bible and Sacred Tradition – Both are essential sources of God’s revelation. The Bible is God’s written Word; Tradition is the living transmission of the Gospel.
Salvation – A free gift from God, made possible by grace, received through faith and lived out through love, obedience, and participation in the sacraments.
2. What Makes the Catholic Faith Unique?
If you only have a few minutes to explain Catholicism, here are some distinctives worth highlighting:
The Eucharist – We believe that the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus at Mass. This is not a symbol; it’s Jesus Himself.
The Communion of Saints – We are part of a spiritual family that includes those in heaven, purgatory, and on earth. We ask saints to pray for us, just like we ask friends to pray for us.
Mary’s Role – We honor Mary as the Mother of God, not as a goddess. Her "yes" to God brought Christ into the world. We venerate her, but we worship God alone.
The Authority of the Church – The Church has been given the authority by Christ to teach, guide, and protect the truth through Scripture and Tradition.
3. How Do Catholics Live Out Their Faith?
When someone asks about Catholicism, they’re often not just asking about doctrine—they’re asking how that doctrine changes your life. Here’s how we live it out:
Prayer – Both personal (like the Rosary or quiet time with God) and communal (like Mass).
Mass Attendance – Our Sunday obligation is a joyful response to God’s gift. We gather to hear the Word and receive the Eucharist.
Confession – Regular confession helps us grow in holiness and receive healing from sin.
Charity – We’re called to love our neighbor, feed the hungry, visit the sick, and care for the poor.
Lifelong Learning – The faith is deep and rich. We never stop learning, whether it’s reading Scripture, listening to Catholic podcasts, or joining a Bible study.
4. A Word to Fellow Catholics
If someone at work or in your life starts asking questions about the Catholic faith, that’s not random. That’s an opportunity. It doesn’t mean you need to have all the answers—but it does mean you should be ready to share what the Church teaches with love, humility, and joy.
Start with your story. Then point them to Jesus.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of the Catholic faith. Help us to understand it more deeply, live it more authentically, and share it more lovingly. May our words and lives reflect the beauty of Your truth. Amen.