Teaching · 20 September 2026
The Creed: a summary of our Christian faith
What we profess at Sunday Mass, article by article — and what each one asks of the way we live.
The word Creed comes from the Latin Credo, which means, “I believe.” The Creed is the solemn profession of the Christian faith. When we recite it at Sunday Mass, we are not merely repeating words that we have memorised; we are publicly affirming what the Church believes and what we ourselves are called to live. The Creed contains the essential truths of our faith and is centred on the Most Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
1. I believe in one God, the Father Almighty
We believe in one God, who is Father, all-powerful, Creator of heaven and earth and of all that is visible and invisible. God is not a distant force. He is our loving Father who created us, sustains us and calls us into communion with Himself. Since everything comes from Him, we are called to trust Him, worship Him, give thanks to Him and use His gifts responsibly. Our belief in God should therefore influence the way we live: we should put God first, reject idolatry, care for creation and recognise the dignity of every human person created by God.
2. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, true God from true God, who is eternally united with the Father. For our salvation, He became man through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary. He truly entered our human condition while remaining truly divine. Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. His Cross reveals the depth of God’s love and brings us forgiveness and salvation. However, Christ did not remain in the tomb. He rose again on the third day. The Resurrection is the foundation of our Christian faith and hope. Because Christ has conquered death, we can face suffering, difficulties and even death itself with confidence in God. Jesus then ascended into heaven and remains Lord of history. We believe that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and that His kingdom will have no end.
3. I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is Lord and giver of life. He is the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Spirit works in the Church and in the hearts of believers. He gives us grace, strengthens our faith, guides us in making good choices, gives spiritual gifts and helps us to bear witness to Christ. We therefore cannot live the Christian life by our own strength alone. We need to pray for the Holy Spirit and remain open to His action.
4. I believe in the Holy Trinity
The Creed leads us to the central mystery of Christianity: one God in three Divine Persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; yet there are not three Gods, but one God. The Trinity is a mystery of perfect love and communion. Since we are created in God’s image, Christians are likewise called to build relationships marked by love, unity, communion and mutual service.
5. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church
The Church is one because she has one Lord, one faith and one Baptism. She is holy because Christ is her Head and the Holy Spirit sanctifies her, even though her members are still sinners in need of conversion. She is catholic, meaning universal. The Gospel is intended for all peoples, nations, cultures and languages. No race, tribe, social class or nationality has a monopoly on Christ. She is apostolic because she is founded on the faith of the Apostles and continues their mission through their successors. As members of the Church, we are therefore called to preserve unity, pursue holiness, participate actively in the life of the parish and share the Gospel with others.
6. I believe in the forgiveness of sins
We believe that God forgives sins. Through Baptism, we receive new life in Christ and forgiveness of sins. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, those who have fallen after Baptism can return to God’s mercy. Our belief in forgiveness must also change the way we treat others. Having received God’s mercy, we are called to forgive, reconcile and give people opportunities to begin again.
7. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
Christian faith teaches that death is not the end. At the end of time, God will raise the dead. This is the resurrection of the body. Our hope is therefore not simply that the soul continues to exist, but that God will restore and transform the whole human person. This gives Christians hope in times of bereavement and suffering. Christ has conquered death, and those who belong to Him are destined for life.
8. And life everlasting
The Creed concludes with our hope of eternal life. Eternal life is ultimately the fulfilment of our deepest desire: complete communion with God. It is the destiny for which we were created. This hope should influence our life here and now. Since we are made for eternity, we should seek to live faithfully, love God and neighbour, serve others, avoid sin and remain steadfast in faith.
In conclusion
The Creed is therefore much more than a formula recited at Mass. It is a summary of all that we believe, a guide for how we should live, and a profession of the hope that sustains us. When we say, “I believe,” we are saying: I believe in God and I trust Him. I follow Jesus Christ and I accept His Cross and Resurrection. I open my heart to the Holy Spirit. I belong to the Church and I share in her mission. I receive God’s forgiveness and forgive others. I live in hope of the resurrection and eternal life. Let us therefore not merely recite the Creed with our lips, but profess it with conviction, live it with fidelity, and witness to it through our daily lives.