For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.

—John 3:16

At the heart of the Catholic faith is a simple and beautiful truth:

God loves us and desires a relationship with us—now and for eternity.

We believe that God created us out of love, that sin wounded our relationship with him, and that Jesus Christ—God’s Son—came to restore what was lost. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reveals the Father’s love, frees us from sin, and opens the way to new life.

We love because he first loved us.

—1 John 4:19

Everything Catholics believe flows from this saving love—and from the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Catholics believe that Jesus continues to meet us today through the sacraments—visible signs of God’s grace, given to us by Christ and entrusted to the Church. Through the sacraments, God shares his life with us in tangible ways, strengthening our faith, healing what is broken, and drawing us deeper into communion with him and with one another.

At the heart of the sacramental life is the Eucharist, where Catholics believe Jesus is truly present and offers himself to us as spiritual nourishment.

Catholic beliefs are rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the lived faith of the Church handed down from the time of the apostles to today. While the Catholic faith is rich and deep, one of the clearest summaries of what we believe is found in the Nicene Creed.

The Nicene Creed was written in the early centuries of Christianity and is professed by Catholics around the world each Sunday at Mass. It is not simply a list of ideas—it is a prayer of faith, spoken together as a declaration of trust in God and a commitment to live as his people.

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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.

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What This Means for Daily Life

When Catholics say “I believe,” we are not only expressing agreement—we are expressing trust.

To believe is to entrust our lives to God: our joys and sorrows, questions and hopes, strengths and struggles.

If you are exploring the Catholic faith, returning after time away, or simply seeking to understand more, you are always welcome here. We invite you to join us for Mass, ask questions, and walk the journey with us.

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Want to learn more?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers clear and trusted explanations of Catholic beliefs, teachings, and practices.

Visit their website to explore the faith more deeply:

usccb.org