By Sarah Bigelow
So now that you've settled here at UP, you've probably started to notice that religion is pretty common on campus. After all, they don't call it "Oregon's Catholic University" for nothing. If you're kind of confused about Catholicism and all that it entails, fret no longer. The Beacon presents a brief guide to some of the biggest Catholic questions.
What's up with communion?
Communion (or Eucharist) is the center-piece of the Catholic Mass. The first communion rite was during the Last Supper, when Jesus instructed his disciples to continue the rite "in memory of me" until he returned to Earth. Key to the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist is the doctrine of transubstantiation. In other words, Catholics believe that during the Eucharistic prayers, the host is transformed into body of Christ and the wine into the blood of Christ. Catholic belief of transubstantiation differs from that of Protestants, who believe that the host and wine symbolize the body and blood of Christ but are not actually physically changed. Eucharist recalls Jesus' roll as a sacrificial lamb, dying for our sins. Therefore, Eucharist is a sacrifice to God. The rite also serves as a memorial to "the faithfully departed" and unifies the whole Church throughout the world.
Which is more important, Easter or Christmas?
Easter. Though you might think that Christmas is more important (after all, it commemorates Jesus' birth!), Easter commemorates Jesus' death and resurrection, one of the focal points of most Christian religions. Christianity believes that Jesus is a savior who came to the Earth to die for everyone's sins. Easter is a memorial to this pivotal moment and therefore the most important celebration in the liturgical year. Incidentally, unlike Christmas, which always falls on Dec. 25, the date for Easter changes every year. After much debate over the date, the early Church decided at the Council of Nicaea in 325 that Easter would always fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. As a result, Easter can be as early as the end of March (as it is this year) or as late as mid-April.
What is a Sacrament?
Sacraments are symbols of grace that also serve as milestones for Catholics. The idea is that God should be present in all aspects of a Catholic's life and the seven sacraments help make that possible. Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation are sacraments of initiation that help prepare people to become adults in the Catholic faith. Penance (or Reconciliation) and the Anointing of the Sick are sacraments of healing and Holy Orders and Marriage are sacraments of vocation. The Catholic Church frowns upon divorce precisely because marriage is sacramental and blessed by God. This doctrine differs from many Protestant faiths, where marriage is not sacramental.
Is God one person or three?
Catholics believe in the Trinity, or three persons in one. There's God the Father, God the Son (or Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is one of the most challenging Catholic doctrines and is classified as a mystery, which means that it transcends human understanding.
What are Saints?
Saints are often humans who have lived exemplary lives. However, saints aren't perfect. Many of the most important saints, such as Sts. Paul, Augustine and Ignatius of Loyola, lived wild lives before their conversion. Saints are role models for Catholics, but they don't pray directly to saints. Instead, they ask the saints to intercede on their behalf.
What about Mary?
Mary is the virgin mother of God. Her life serves as an example of complete faith and trust in God. Mary, as Jesus' mother, plays an important role in the story of human redemption. Contrary to popular belief, Catholics do not pray to Mary as a god. Like the Saints, Mary is a powerful intercessor.
