Key Catholic beliefs

The central beliefs (teachings) which are a key to understanding the faith of the Catholic Church are contained in the Nicene Creed. The Creed is proclaimed by Catholics during their Sunday celebration Mass. As an integral part of the Sunday liturgy, The Creed is an affirmation of what Catholics and other Christians hold to be true. These core beliefs are grounded in the Christian Scriptures.

The Nicene Creed is a statement of belief defined at the Council of Nicea in 325. The Creed reiterates the Christian faith from the Scriptures that:

God is one yet a Trinity of three persons
The birth of Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary is God’s great act of love with us and for us always
God’s Spirit is active within us and the whole of creation
The Church is sent into the world to continue the mission of Son and Spirit in humanity till the end of time

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.