This is the text of the Nicene Creed — or more accurately the Nicene-
Constantinopolitan Creed — an ancient statement of Christian belief originally formulated by the Council of Nicaea in the year 325 and later affrirmed with modifications by the Council of Constantinople in 381. We proclaim this essential statement of the Christian faith together as a community every Sunday, which we share in common with many other Christian Churches, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant. We look forward to the day when all Christians may proclaim this, our common creed, in full unity!

A father replies to his daughter's questions abou tthe Catholic faith in Tell Me Why, a series of faxed letters between Michael Novak and his daughter, Jana. Click on the image above to order.

Access links to learn more about the faith, including a searchable online version of the Catechism, various documents and more...

We believe in one God,
The Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
Begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of 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.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.

Amen!

"Amen" is an ancient Hebrew word which is rich in meaning. It means "So be it," "We agree," "This is certain," or "truly." It is the acclamation by which Christians and Jews give unqualified assent to what has preceded. In the Roman rite, the "Great Amen" concludes the Eucharistic Prayer, which transforms bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, with the sung affirmation of the faithful. "Amen" is roughly analagous to the modern custom of applause to signify consent and agreement. Indeed, applause has been integrated into our liturgy to signify the assent of the assembly to various rites, such as the ordination of deacons, priests and bishops, for those contracting Christian matrimony and the acceptance into the community of faith of those baptized during the eucharist, especially on Holy Saturday.

Search: New American Bible Catechism of the Catholic Church Movie Reviews U.S. Bishops' Web Site       Keyword:   Help  Advanced