Description: Grasp the beliefs and practices about one of the world's oldest religions Catholicism All-In-One For Dummies is your all-inclusive guide to the Catholic Church and its billions of followers. You'll learn how Catholicism came to be, how it's practiced, and where it stands socially and politically as you explore the rich history and diverse culture surrounding this major religion. Clear, friendly writing takes you inside a mass to understand what happens there, and walks you through a tour of the saints, holidays, the Bible, and the Vatican. Special coverage includes the role of women in the Church and in the Bible, and the tremendous popularity of Pope Francis, who has quickly become one of the Vatican's most-loved leaders. You'll dive into the beliefs and practices of Catholicism and get answers to the most common, confusing, controversial, and worrisome questions. Catholicism is quickly expanding beyond its 1.2 billion followers, with growing numbers of priests and new baptisms every year. Attendance at papal events has tripled to 6.6 million since Pope Francis's election in 2013, and Catholicism has become the largest religious denomination on the planet by a wide margin. This book explains what makes Catholicism so alluring, giving you insight into the religion and everything it entails.
Brief description: A native of New Britain, Connecticut, Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD, is the Director of Pastoral Field Education and an assistant professor at Mount Saint Mary University and Seminary. He is the managing editor of Sapientia magazine and a member of the Board of Directors for the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, and he cohosted three weekly TV series on Eternal Word Television Network. Father Brighenti also served as a U.S. Naval Reserve Chaplain for ten years and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Metuchen in 1988. He and Father Trigilio coauthored Catholicism For Dummies, The Everything Bible Book, Women in the Bible For Dummies, John Paul II For Dummies, and Saints For Dummies, and he authored Marriage as Covenant. Father Brighenti is also a Knight of Columbus and member of the Order Sons of Italy of America and the National Italian American Foundation.