This special content supports The Catholic Teacher’s Companion. They consist of lists, prayers, summaries of teachings, and other useful information for the Catholic teacher.

 

 

 

 

1 The Bible
a. Books of the Bible and their abbreviations

Old Testament

The Torah or Pentateuch

• Genesis Gn
• Exodus Ex
• Leviticus Lv
• Numbers Nm
• Deuteronomy Dt

Historical Books

• Joshua Jos
• Judges Jgs
• Ruth Ru
• 1 Samuel 1 Sm
• 2 Samuel 2 Sm
• 1 Kings 1 Kgs
• 2 Kings 2 Kgs
• 1 Chronicles 1 Chr
• 2 Chronicles 1 Chr
• Ezra Ezr
• Nehemiah Neh
• Tobit Tb
• Judith Jdt
• Esther Est
• 1 Maccabees 1 Mc
• 2 Maccabees 2 Mc

The Wisdom Books

• Job Jb
• Psalms Ps(s)
• Proverbs Prv
• Ecclesiastes Eccl
• Song of Songs Sg
• Wisdom Wis
• Sirach Sir

The Prophetic Books

• Isaiah Is
• Jeremiah Jer
• Lamentations Lam
• Baruch Bar
• Ezekiel Ez
• Daniel Dn
• Hosea Hos
• Joel Jl
• Amos Am
• Obadiah Ob
• Jonah Jon
• Micah Mi
• Nahum Na
• Habakkuk Hb
• Zephaniah Zep
• Haggai Hg
• Zechariah Zec
• Malachi Mal

New Testament

The Gospels

• Matthew Mt
• Mark Mk
• Luke Lk
• John Jn

History of the Early Church

• Acts Acts

New Testament Letters

• Romans Rom
• 1 Corinthians 1 Cor
• 2 Corinthians 2 Cor
• Galatians Gal
• Ephesians Eph
• Philippians Phil
• Colossians Col
• 1 Thessalonians 1 Thes
• 2 Thessalonians 2 Thes
• 1 Timothy 1 Tm
• 2 Timothy 2 Tm
• Titus Ti
• Philemon Phlm
• Hebrews Heb

General Letters

• James Jas
• 1 Peter 1 Pt
• 2 Peter 2 Pt
• 1 John 1 Jn
• 2 John 2 Jn
• 3 John 3 Jn
• Jude Jude

Revelation

• Revelation Rv

b. The Apostles of Jesus
(Sources: Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, and Luke 6:13-16)

1. Simon Peter (brother of Andrew)
2. James (son of Zebedee and older brother of John)
3. John (son of Zebedee and brother of James)
4. Andrew (brother of Simon Peter)
5. Philip of Bethsaida
6. Thomas (Didymus)
7. Bartholomew (Nathaniel)
8. Matthew (Levi)
9. James (son of Alphaeus) also called “James the Lesser”
10. Simon the Zealot (the Canaanite)
11. Thaddaeus-Judas (Lebbaeus), brother of James the Lesser and brother of Matthew (Levi) of Capernaum.
12. Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

2. Prayers

a. Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

b. Our Father
Our Father,
who art in heaven;
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

c. Hail Mary
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.

d. Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

e. Rosary: How to Pray the Rosary (Source: archtoronto.org)

Begin at the tail end of the rosary beads
1. Holding the crucifix: “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”, one Apostles’ Creed
2. On the first bead: one Our Father
3. On the three grouped beads: one Hail Mary on each bead
4. On the next single bead: one Glory Be
(Many people ignore the tail and begin at this point.)

The first mystery (See below for the mystery to pray for each day)
5. Announce the first mystery. For example, the first luminous mystery is the baptism of Jesus.

6. On the same single bead as above: one Our Father
Move on to the loop of beads

7. On the first set of ten beads: one Hail Mary on each bead (total of ten)

8. Pause and reflect on the first mystery

9. On the single bead: one Glory Be

The second to the fifth mysteries

Announce the mysteries one at a time and repeat the pattern of :

• one Our Father
• ten Hail Marys
• one Glory Be

until you have reflected on all five mysteries

Conclude each series (set of five mysteries) with Hail, Holy Queen

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)

• The Annunciation: The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to become the Mother of Jesus. Luke 1:26-38.
• The Visitation: Mary visits and helps her cousin Elizabeth. Luke 1:39-56.
• The Nativity: Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem. Luke 2:1-20.
• The Presentation in the Temple: Jesus is presented in the Temple. Luke2:21-38.
•  The finding of the child Jesus in the Temple: Jesus is found in the Temple and “all who heard Him were amazed.” Luke 2:41-51.

Mysteries of Light / Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)

• The Baptism in the Jordan: Jesus’ public life begins when John baptizes him in the Jordan. Matthew 3:13-17.
• The Wedding Feast at Cana: Jesus performs his first sign, turning water into wine. John 2:1-11.
• The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Jesus calls everyone to enter the Kingdom of God. Matthew 4:12-17.
• The Transfiguration: Jesus briefly reveals his divine glory in the presence of Peter, John and James. Mathew 17:1-8.
• The Institution of the Eucharist: The Passover meal receives a new meaning with the institution of the Eucharist, anticipating the glory of the Kingdom. Matthew 26:26-29.

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)

• The Agony in the Garden: Jesus suffers his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and overcomes temptation through prayer. Matthew 26:36-46.
• The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus is taken to Pilate and is mocked and whipped at the pillar. John 19:1-3.
• The Crowning with Thorns: Jesus is crowned with a circle of sharp thorns. Matthew 27:27-31.
• The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus carries the cross to Golgotha. Mark 15:21-24.
• The Crucifixion: Jesus dies on the cross. Luke 23:33-46.

Glorious Mysteries (Wednesdays and Sundays)

• The Resurrection: Jesus rises from the dead on the third day. Luke 24:1-12.
• The Ascension: Jesus ascends into heaven forty days after resurrection. Mark 16:19-20.
• The descent of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the apostles. Acts 2.1-4.
• The Assumption: Mary, “when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body” (CCC, 974). Luke 1:46-55.
• The crowning of Our Lady Queen of Heaven: Mary is crowned Queen of heaven and earth. Revelation 12:1.

f. Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To You we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to You we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, O most gracious advocate, Your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

g. Angel of God
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.

h. Eternal Rest
Eternal rest, grant unto him/her O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
May s/he rest in peace. Amen.
May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

i. Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

j. Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever, Amen

k. Morning Offering
My God, I offer you today
all that I think and do and say,
uniting it with what was done
on earth, by Jesus Christ,
your Son.

l. Act of Contrition
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.

m. Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord,
and these your gifts
which we are about to receive
from your goodness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

n. Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

3. Catholic Teachings

a. Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

b. Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial
with the Father;
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic,
and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection
of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

c. The Seven Sacraments

• Baptism
• Confirmation
• Eucharist
• Reconciliation
• Matrimony
• Holy Orders
• Anointing of the Sick

d. Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt not have other gods besides Me
2. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day
4. Honor thy father and thy mother
5. Thou shalt not murder
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery
7. Thou shalt not steal
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods

e. Two Greatest Commandments

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-38)

f. Golden Rule
In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

g. Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-8)
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

h. Theological Virtues
Faith
Hope
Charity

h. Cardinal Virtues
Prudence
Justice
Fortitude
Temperance

i. Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Knowledge
Fortitude
Piety
Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe).

j. Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Charity
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Generosity
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Modesty
Self-control
Chastity

k. Corporeal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry.
To give drink to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To shelter the homeless
To visit the sick.
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead.

l. Spiritual Works of Mercy
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish sinners.
To bear wrongs patiently.
To forgive offences willingly.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead.

m. Seven Deadly Sins
pride
envy
gluttony
lust
anger
greed
sloth.

n. Precepts of the Church
You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labour.
You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church
You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
o. Catholic Social Teachings

1. Dignity of the Human Person
2. Common Good and Community
3. Option for the Poor
4. Rights and Responsibilities
5. Role of Government and Subsidiarity
6. Economic Justice
7. Stewardship of God’s Creation
8. Promotion of Peace and Disarmament
9. Participation
10. Global Solidarity and Development

4. The Liturgical Year

a. The Liturgical Calendar

Advent (4 weeks of preparation for Christmas)

Christmas (birth of Christ)

• Holy Family
• Mary the Mother of God (New Year’s Day)
• Epiphany
• Baptism of the Lord

Ordinary Time I

Lent

• Ash Wednesday
• Passion (Palm) Sunday

Easter Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.)

Easter

• Easter Vigil (The Resurrection)
• Easter (Celebrate the Resurrection at Masses – The greatest Feast of the year.)
• Second to Sixth Sundays
• Ascension (Celebrated the Sunday after the 40th Day of Easter)
• Pentecost

Ordinary Time II

• Trinity Sunday
• Body and Blood of Christ
• Solemnity of Christ the King

b. Holy Days of Obligation in Canada

• Every Sunday
• Christmas Day
• Mary, Mother of God (January 1)

c. Important Feast Days in Canada

December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 Christmas
January 1 Mary Mother of God
January 6 Epiphany,
January 7 St André Bessette
January 12 Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys
January 25 The Conversion of St. Paul
January 28 St. Thomas Aquinas
February 2 Presentation of the Lord
February 22 Chair of St. Peter
March 17 St Patrick
March 19 St. Joseph
March 25 Annunciation
April 17 St. Kateri Tekakwitha
April 29 St. Catherine of Siena
May 1 St. Joseph the Worker
May 31 Visitation
June 24 St. Jean Baptiste
June 29 Sts. Peter and Paul
July 14 St. Kateri Tekakwitha
July 26 St. Anne and St. Joachim
July 31 St. Ignatius Loyola
August 6 Transfiguration of our Lord
August 15 Assumption of Mary
August 29 St. Augustine
September 26 North American Martyrs
October 1 St. Thérèse of Lisieux
October 4 St. Francis of Assisi
October 16 St Marguerite d’Youville
November 1 All Saints Day
November 2 All Souls Day