Catholic Guides

Guides and answers about the Catholic faith, from the Catho+ team.

When Does Advent 2026 Start? Dates, Meaning and How to Live It Advent 2026 begins on Sunday 29 November 2026 and ends on the evening of Thursday 24 December, when the celebration of Christmas begins. It lasts four…
When Does the Liturgical Year Start? The Church's Calendar Explained The liturgical year starts on the First Sunday of Advent. In 2026, that is Sunday 29 November 2026. While the world waits for 1 January, the Church has…
What Do the Advent Candles Mean? The Advent Wreath Explained A circle of evergreen branches, four candles, and each Sunday one more flame: the Advent wreath is one of the simplest and most beautiful traditions of…
How to Pray the Rosary: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners The Rosary can look intimidating the first time: a string of beads, prayers you may not know by heart, "mysteries" to remember. In fact, it is one of the…
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Step by Step The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a short prayer, about seven minutes, that you pray on ordinary rosary beads. It was given by Jesus to a young Polish nun,…
What Do the Liturgical Colors Mean? Purple, White, Red, Green and Rose One Sunday the priest wears green, a few weeks later purple, then white, sometimes red, and twice a year even pink. These colors are not a matter of taste…
What Are the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church? The Catholic Church has seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance (Confession), the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and…
What Is the Difference Between a Cathedral, a Basilica and a Church? Every cathedral and every basilica is a church, but not every church is a cathedral or a basilica. A cathedral is the church where the bishop has his…
What Is the Difference Between Catholics and Other Christians? Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants and Anglicans are all Christians: they believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Jesus Christ as true God and…
How to Go to Confession: What to Say, Step by Step Going to confession is simpler than most people fear. You prepare by looking honestly at your life, you tell your sins to a priest, you say that you are…
When Is Easter 2027? Why the Date Changes Every Year Easter 2027 falls on Sunday 28 March 2027, which is early for Easter. Lent begins five and a half weeks before, on Ash Wednesday, 10 February 2027. And…
What Is a Patron Saint? And Who Is the Patron Saint of...? A patron saint is a saint the Church, or long Christian tradition, has given a special care for a person, a place, a group or a need: a country, a parish,…
What Is the Difference Between Mortal and Venial Sin? A mortal sin is a serious sin committed knowingly and freely: it breaks our friendship with God. A venial sin is a lesser sin: it wounds that friendship…
How to Become Catholic: The RCIA (OCIA) Steps and How Long It Takes To become Catholic, the first step is simple: contact a Catholic parish near you and say you would like to become Catholic. The parish will welcome you…