Beliefs and Teachings

 

In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, "but as what it really is, the word of God". "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them." 

- Catechism of the Catholic Church (104)

The Bible

The Bible is a canonical collection of texts sacred in Judaism and Christianity.

The Catholic Bible is composed of the 46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. 

The Bible is widely considered to be the best-selling book of all time, has estimated annual sales of 100 million copies, and has been a major influence on literature and history, especially in the West where it was the first mass-printed book.


What is the New Revised Standard Version Bible?

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Christian Bible is an English translation released in 1989. It is the approved translation for use in Canada by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The New Revised Standard Version was translated by the Division of Christian Education (now Bible Translation and Utilization) of the National Council of Churches. The group included scholars representing Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christian groups as well as Jewish representation in the group responsible for the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament. The mandate given the committee was summarized in a dictum: "As literal as possible, as free as necessary."

From the Archdiocese of Toronto

Code of Canon Law

The canon law of the Catholic Church is the system of laws and legal principles made and enforced by the hierarchical authorities of the Church to regulate its external organization and government and to order and direct the activities of Catholics toward the mission of the Church.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law (abbreviated 1983 CIC from its Latin title Codex Iuris Canonici) is the codification of canonical legislation for the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church. It was promulgated on 25 January 1983 by John Paul II and obtained the force of law on the First Sunday of Advent (27 November) 1983. It replaced the 1917 Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Benedict XV on 27 May 1917.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law contains 1752 canons, or laws, most subdivided into paragraphs (indicated by "§") and/or numbers (indicated by "°"). Hence a citation of the Code would be written as Can. (or Canon) 934, §2, 1°.

 

What is in the Code of Canon Law?

The Code is organized into seven Books, which are further divided into Part, Section, Title, Chapter and Article.

This is the outline of the seven books of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.

BOOK I. GENERAL NORMS (Cann. 1–203) - Explains the general application of laws

BOOK II. THE PEOPLE OF GOD (Cann. 204–746) - Goes into the rights and obligations of laypeople and clergy, and outlines the hierarchical organization of the Church

BOOK III. THE TEACHING FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH (Cann. 747–833) - Christian ministry, missionary activity, education, and social communication

BOOK IV. THE SANCTIFYING FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH (Cann. 834–1253) - Sacraments and other acts of worship; places of worship and feast-days

BOOK V. THE TEMPORAL GOODS OF THE CHURCH (Cann. 1254–1310) - Ownership, contracts, and wills; akin to the civil Business Law

BOOK VI. SANCTIONS IN THE CHURCH (Cann. 1311–1399) - Crimes and punishment

BOOK VII PROCESSES (Cann. 1400–1752) - Trials and Tribunals

From the Archdiocese of Toronto

Roman Missal

 

What is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)?

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is the detailed document governing the celebration of Mass of the ordinary form of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.

The General Instruction is arranged in nine chapters, preceded by a preamble. The chapter headings are:

  1. The Importance and Dignity of the Eucharistic Celebration
  2. The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements and Its Parts
  3. The Duties and Ministries in the Mass
  4. The Different Forms of Celebrating Mass
  5. The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist
  6. The Requisites for the Celebration of Mass
  7. The Choice of the Mass and Its Parts
  8. Masses and Prayers for Various Circumstances and Masses for the Dead
  9. Adaptations within the Competence of Bishops and Bishops' Conferences

From the Archdiocese of Toronto

Jawl & Bundon Bursary

The Diocese of Victoria is pleased to announce the Jawl & Bundon $2,500 Bursary for a graduating Catholic student in the Diocese of Victoria.

Criteria

  • A grade 12 Catholic student from the Diocese of Victoria
  • Acceptance in a post-secondary institution
  • Demonstration of good citizenship
  • Preference will be given to students who live outside of Greater Victoria and
  • Nanaimo
  • Preference will be given to First Nations students

Items to Complete & Submit

  • Jawl & Bundon, Barristers & Solicitors, Bursary Application form
  • Letter of recommendation from your parish priest
  • Certification of Post Secondary acceptance or registration
  • An application letter explaining how you meet the criteria, including:
    • your community involvement and service activities
    • your accomplishments, awards and relevant activities
    • your post-secondary plans
    • a brief explanation of your (or your family’s) financial needs

Please submit the above, by July 15 to

Catholic Diocese of Victoria
1 – 4044 Nelthorpe Street
Victoria, BC V8X 2A1
Fax: (250) 479-5423

Have Questions?

Please contact the Diocese of Victoria at (250) 479-1331.