EVOLUTION OF CATHOLICISM

1.       Prayers for the dead...........................................................................................300 AD

2.       Making the sign of the cross...............................................................................300

3.     Use of wax candles.............................................................................................320

4.       Veneration of angels and dead saints, and the use of images ................................375

5.         The mass, as a daily celebration..........................................................................394

6.       The exaltation of Mary (The Mother of God).......................................................... 431

7.          Priests began to dress differently from laymen.....................................................500

8.      Extreme Unction...............................................................................................526

9.       The doctrine of Purgatory....................................................................................593

10.       Prayers directed to Mary, dead saints and angels ................................................600

11.       Title of Pope (universal bishop) given to Boniface [IL............................................. 607

12.       Kissing of the pope's foot began with Constantine .................................................709

13.       Worship of the cross, images and relics.............................................................. 786

14.       Holy Water (mixed with a pinch of salt & blessed by a priest ............................... 850

15.       Worship of Joseph.............................................................................................890

16.       College of Cardinals established......................................................................... 927

17.       Canonization of dead saints ...............................................................................995

18.       Fasting of Fridays and during Lent.......................................................................998

19.       The Mass (gradually developed over several years) ...............................................1000

20.     Celibacy of the priesthood ..................................................................................1079

21.     The Rosary .......................................................................................................1090

22.      The Inquisition ..................................................................................................1184

23.      Sale of Indulgences ..........................................................................................1190

24.      Transubstantiation ............................................................................................1215

25.      Auricular Confession .........................................................................................1215

26.      Bible forbidden to the laymen .............................................................................1229

27.      Cup forbidden to the people ................................................................................1414

28.      The doctrine of the Seven sacraments affirmed......................................................1439

29.      Tradition declared of equal authority with the Bible ................................................1545

30.      Apocryphal books are added to the Bible .............................................................1546

31.      Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary proclaimed ..........................................1854

32.      Infallibility of the pope (in matters of faith & morals) ..............................................1870

33.      Public Schools condemned by pope Pius XI ........................................................1930

34.      Assumption of the Virgin Mary ...........................................................................1950

35.      Mary proclaimed to be the "Mother of the Church"................................................1965