The Catholic Fundamentals Checklist

• Pope Pius X (1908)
• Baltimore Catechisms (1885-1891)
• Council of Trent (1566)
• Thomas Aquinas (~1265)
• Vatican II (1992)

• Introductory Rites
• Liturgy of the Word
• Liturgy of the Eucharist
• Communion Rite
• Concluding Rites

• Parts of the Mass

1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

1. Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
2. Confess your sins at least once a year.
3. Receive Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.
4. Observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.
5. Provide for the material needs of the Church, according to your ability.

• Baptism
• Eucharist
• Confirmation

• Penance
• Anointing of the Sick

• Holy Orders
• Matrimony

• Faith
• Hope
• Charity

• Prudence
• Justice
• Fortitude
• Temperance

• Mortal Sin
• Venial Sin

• Despairing of being saved
• Presuming on being saved without merit
• Opposing the known truth
• Envying another's graces
• Obstinately remaining in sin
• Final impenitence

• Willful murder
• The sin of sodomy
• Oppression of the poor
• Defrauding labourers of their wages

• Pride
• Covetousness
• Lust
• Anger
• Gluttony
• Envy
• Sloth

1. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
5. He suffered death and was buried
6. and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
7. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
8. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
9. 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.
10. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
11. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
12. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
13. and the life of the world to come. Amen.

1. Our Father who art in Heaven
2. Hallowed be Thy Name
3. Thy kingdom come
4. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
5. Give us this day our daily bread
6. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us
7. And lead us not into temptation
8. But deliver us from evil. Amen

1. Hail Mary, full of grace
2. The Lord is with thee
3. Blessed art thou amongst women
4. And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus
5. Holy Mary, Mother of God
6. Pray for us sinners
7. Now and at the hour of our death. Amen

• Glory Be (Doxology)
• Apostles’ Creed
• Nicene Creed
• Act of Contrition
• Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)
• The Angelus
• Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
• Magnificat
• Canticle of Mary

• Lauds (morning)
• Terce (early-afternoon)
• Sext (mid-afternoon)
• None "noh-nay" (late-afternoon)
• Vespers I (evening)
• Vespers II (evening)
• Complines (before bed)
• Matins (night)

• The Rosary
• Divine Mercy Chaplet
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Stations of the Cross
• Sacred Heart of Jesus / Immaculate Heart of Mary

1. Peter (also called Simon)
2. James the Greater (son of Zebedee)
3. John (brother of James the Greater)
4. Andrew (brother of Peter)
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)
7. Matthew (also known as Levi, the tax collector)
8. Thomas (also called Didymus)
9. James the Less (son of Alphaeus)
10. Thaddeus (also called Jude, son of James)
11. Simon the Zealot
12. Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus)

Matthias was chosen by the remaining apostles to replace Judas (Acts 1:26)

• Wisdom
• Understanding
• Counsel
• Fortitude
• Knowledge
• Piety
• Fear of the Lord

• Charity (Love)
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Longanimity (Long-suffering)
• Mildness (Gentleness)
• Faith (Faithfulness)
• Modesty
• Continency (Self-restraint)
• Chastity

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land
• Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted
• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be filled
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy
• Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God
• Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God
• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake for of such is the kingdom of heaven

• Immaculate Conception
• Assumption

• Purgatory
• Indulgence

• The Pope
• Cardinals
• Archbishops
• Bishops
• Priests
• Deacons
• Laity
• Religious Sisters and Brothers

• Diocese
• Parish
• Cathedral
• Basilica
• Chapel
• Monastery
• Shrine

• Advent
• Christmas
• Lent
• Holy Week
• Easter
• Pentecost
• Ordinary Time
• Vigil
• Octave

• Altar
• Tabernacle
• Sanctuary Lamp
• Crucifix
• Vestments
• Chalice and Paten

1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy

6. Joshua
7. Judges
8. Ruth
9. 1 Samuel
10. 2 Samuel
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Tobit (deuterocanonical)
18. Judith (deuterocanonical)
19. Esther (with Greek additions, deuterocanonical)
20. 1 Maccabees (deuterocanonical)
21. 2 Maccabees (deuterocanonical)

22. Job
23. Psalms
24. Proverbs
25. Ecclesiastes
26. Song of Songs
27. Wisdom (deuterocanonical)
28. Sirach / Ecclesiasticus (deuterocanonical)

29. Isaiah
30. Jeremiah
31. Lamentations
32. Baruch (Deuterocanonical)
33. Ezekiel
34. Daniel (with Greek additions – Deuterocanonical)
35. Hosea
36. Joel
37. Amos
38. Obadiah
39. Jonah
40. Micah
41. Nahum
42. Habakkuk
43. Zephaniah
44. Haggai
45. Zechariah
46. Malachi

1. Matthew
2. Mark
3. Luke
4. John

5. Acts of the Apostles

6. Romans
7. 1 Corinthians
8. 2 Corinthians
9. Galatians
10. Ephesians
11. Philippians
12. Colossians
13. 1 Thessalonians
14. 2 Thessalonians
15. 1 Timothy
16. 2 Timothy
17. Titus
18. Philemon

19. Hebrews
20. James
21. 1 Peter
22. 2 Peter
23. 1 John
24. 2 John
25. 3 John
26. Jude

27. Revelation (Apocalypse of John)

• Blessed Salomea – Nun connected with Kraków
• Blessed Jan Franciszek Macha – Priest and martyr from Kraków area
• Blessed Klemens Janicki – Renaissance poet and priest associated with Kraków
• Blessed Maria Karłowska – Founder of religious congregations, active in Kraków
• Blessed Michał Giedroyć – Hermit and mystic associated with Kraków
• Blessed Józef Bilczewski – Archbishop of Lviv, studied and served in Kraków
• Blessed Bronisław Markiewicz – Priest and founder of religious orders, active in Kraków
• St. Florian – Patron saint of Kraków firefighters and guilds
• Blessed Jan Beyzym – Jesuit missionary and physician, connected with Kraków
• St. Elizabeth of Hungary – Princess and charity worker, influential in Kraków region

• St. Hedwig of Silesia – Duchess and patroness of Silesia
• St. Faustina Kowalska – Apostle of Divine Mercy
• St. Adalbert of Prague (Wojciech) – Missionary bishop and martyr
• St. Andrew Bobola – Jesuit martyr and patron saint of Poland
• St. Casimir – Patron saint of Lithuania and Poland
• St. Rafał Kalinowski – Carmelite priest and patriot
• St. Kinga (Cunegunda) of Poland – Princess and nun
• St. Józef Sebastian Pelczar – Bishop and social reformer
• St. Zygmunt Gorazdowski – Priest and founder of charitable institutions
• Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko – Modern martyr and symbol of Solidarity

• St. Peter – The first pope and leader of the apostles, foundational figure of the Church
• St. Paul – Apostle to the Gentiles and prolific early Church writer, author of many Epistles
• St. Augustine of Hippo – Influential theologian and Doctor of the Church known for Confessions and City of God
• St. Thomas Aquinas – Theologian and philosopher, author of Summa Theologica and Doctor of the Church
• St. Francis of Assisi – Founder of the Franciscan Order, known for his love of poverty and nature
• St. Teresa of Ávila – Mystic and reformer of the Carmelite order, declared a Doctor of the Church
• St. Catherine of Siena – Mystic and Doctor of the Church, influential adviser to popes
• St. Joan of Arc – Warrior saint and patroness of France, martyr and symbol of courage
• St. Ignatius of Loyola – Founder of the Jesuit order, major figure in Catholic Counter-Reformation
• St. Gregory the Great – Pope known for Gregorian Chant and strengthening the medieval Church

• Epiphany (Święto Trzech Króli) – January 6
• Palm Sunday (Niedziela Palmowa) – Sunday before Easter
• Good Friday (Wielki Piątek) – Friday before Easter
• Easter (Wielkanoc) – Date varies (spring Sunday)
• Feast of St. Stanislaus (Święto św. Stanisława) – April 11 (Patron saint of Poland)
• Feast of St. Andrew Bobola – May 16 (Polish martyr and saint)
• Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) – Thursday after Trinity Sunday
• St. John’s Day / Midsummer (Noc Świętojańska / Sobótka) – June 24
• Assumption of Mary (Wniebowzięcie NMP) – August 15
• Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa (Matka Boska Częstochowska) – August 26
• All Saints' Day (Wszystkich Świętych) – November 1
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Niepokalane Poczęcie NMP) – December 8
• Christmas (Boże Narodzenie) – December 25
• Ascension of Jesus (Wniebowstąpienie Pańskie) – 40 days after Easter
• Pentecost (Zesłanie Ducha Świętego / Zielone Świątki) – 50 days after Easter

• Feast of St. Stanislaus – April 11
  Special Masses at Kraków’s Wawel Cathedral, where St. Stanislaus is buried. Local pilgrimages and celebrations honoring Poland’s patron saint.
• Easter (Wielkanoc) – Easter Saturday
  Święconka: Blessing of Easter baskets on Holy Saturday. Śmigus-Dyngus: Playful sprinkling of water. Traditional Easter breakfast with babka and mazurek.
• Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) – Thursday after Trinity Sunday
  Elaborate outdoor processions through the streets of Kraków with altars and flower petals. Community participation in reenacting Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
• St. John’s Day / Midsummer Night (Noc Świętojańska) – June 24
  Bonfires and folk festivities, sometimes combined with Christian prayers. Traditional singing and dancing in open-air gatherings.
• All Saints' Day (Wszystkich Świętych) – November 1
  Visiting cemeteries, lighting candles on graves, and prayer for the deceased. The Wawel Cathedral and Rakowicki Cemetery are especially significant places for locals.
• Nativity Scenes Contest – December
  Kraków holds annual competitions for the most creative szopka, blending local architecture with the Christmas story.
• Christmas (Boże Narodzenie) – December 25
  Wigilia supper with 12 dishes, opłatek sharing, Midnight Mass (Pasterka), and nativity scenes (szopki krakowskie).

• Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Matki Bożej Gromnicznej) – February 2
  Blessing of candles (gromnice) symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World.
• Feast of St. Joseph (Świętego Józefa) – March 19
  Patron of workers and families; special Masses and devotions.
• Annunciation of the Lord (Zwiastowanie Pańskie) – March 25
  Celebrates the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary.
• Feast of the Visitation (Wizytacja Najświętszej Maryi Panny) – May 31
  Commemorates Mary’s visit to Elizabeth.
• Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (Świętych Piotra i Pawła) – June 29
  Celebrated with Masses and sometimes local festivities.
• Feast of the Transfiguration (Przemienienie Pańskie) – August 6
  Reflects Christ’s divine glory on the mountain.
• Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Podniesienie Krzyża Świętego) – September 14
  Commemorates the cross used in Christ’s crucifixion.
• Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Świętego Michała Archanioła) – September 29
  Honoring the protector and leader of heavenly armies.
• Guardian Angels’ Feast (Świętych Aniołów Stróżów) – October 2
  Celebrates the belief in personal guardian angels.
• All Souls’ Day (Dzień Zaduszny) – November 2
  Prayers for the souls in purgatory; often linked with All Saints' Day.
• Feast of Christ the King – Last Sunday of the liturgical year (November)
  Celebrates the sovereignty of Christ over all creation.
• St. Barbara’s Day – December 4
  Important in mining regions like Silesia, but recognized elsewhere.

• Life and teachings of Jesus Christ
• The Apostles and Pentecost
• Early Christian community in Jerusalem

• Spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire
• Apostolic Fathers and early writings
• Martyrdom of early Christians

• Constantine and the Edict of Milan (313)
• Council of Nicaea (325) and Nicene Creed
• Establishment of Christianity as state religion

• Theological controversies: Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysitism
• Ecumenical councils (Constantinople, Ephesus, Chalcedon)
• Contributions of St. Augustine of Hippo

• Fall of the Western Roman Empire and rise of monasticism
• Rule of St. Benedict and preservation of knowledge
• Early missionary work (e.g., St. Patrick)

• Papacy’s growing political power and Charlemagne
• The Crusades
• Scholasticism and St. Thomas Aquinas

• Causes and events of the East-West Schism (1054)
• Differences in theology and authority
• Lasting impact on Christian unity

• Avignon Papacy and Western Schism
• Mysticism and reform movements (e.g., St. Catherine of Siena)
• Rise of mendicant orders: Franciscans and Dominicans

• Martin Luther and key reformers
• Council of Trent and doctrinal reforms
• Founding of the Jesuits (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

• Enlightenment critiques of religion
• Impact of the French Revolution
• Papal responses and Catholic social teaching

• Challenges from modern philosophy and science
• Vatican I and Papal Infallibility
• Pope Leo XIII and Rerum Novarum

• Catholic missions in Africa, Asia, and the Americas
• Adaptation to local cultures (enculturation)
• Role of religious orders in missions

• Nationalism and Church-state relations
• Role of the Church in Poland, Ireland, Latin America
• Papal diplomacy

• Pope Pius X and early 20th-century reforms
• The Second Vatican Council and its changes
• Challenges from secularism and modern culture