Four Pillars of the Catholic faith
The "Four Pillars of the Catholic faith" are considered the primary "pillars," or cornerstones, of Catholic belief.
Origins of the Four Pillars
The Four Pillars speak to just about every aspect of Christian teaching, faith and life
After his speech to the Jews at Pentecost pronouncing Christ, and after "extorting" them to belief and baptism, the Gospel author (Luke) describes "Communal Life",
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. (Acts 2:4)
Here we have
- Apostolic teaching (from the original Apostles)
- Breaking of the bread (sacraments)
- Prayer
In that Jesus taught that he did not abolish the "Law" (Ten Commandments), instead,
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Mt 5:17)
the Commandments, including Jesus' "New Commandments", are essential to the Apostolic teaching.
The Four Pillars
The Apostle's Creed
The Sacraments
The Commandments
The 'Our Father' prayer
or "Lord's Prayer"
Catechism of the Catholic faith based on the Four Pillars
The plan of this catechism is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord's Prayer). (CCC 13)