The beliefs and practices shared by one billion Catholics around the globe form the focus of this essential textbook. It guides the student through the complex, diverse world of 21st-century Catholicism, explaining doctrinal formulas, institutional structures and patterns of life and worship as evolving responses to historical and social contexts.

Lawrence S. Cunningham is John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. His scholarly interests are in the area of systematic theology and culture, Christian spirituality, and the history of Christian spirituality. His most recent book is A Brief History of Saints. He has edited or written sixteen other books and is co-editor of the academic monograph series 'Studies in Theology and Spirituality'.

Preface; 1. The many meanings of Catholicism; 2. Roman Catholicism; 3. Being Catholic: some typologies; 4. Catholicism in time and place; 5. The rule of faith; 6. Catholic worship; 7. Catholic spirituality; 8. The missionary character of Catholicism; 9. Catholic reformation(s); 10. The moral life; 11. The contemporary Catholic Church; 12. Reading Catholicism: a bibliography; Index.