What We Believe

The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 27

Many of us come to faith with questions—sometimes quietly, sometimes urgently:

  • Why am I here?
  • Does my life have meaning?
  • Is God real… and does he care about me?
  • Can what is broken be healed?

The Catholic faith begins with a hopeful answer:

You are loved. You were created for relationship. God has a plan for your life—and he has come looking for you.

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 truth:

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

We believe that:

  • God created us out of love and for love
  • Sin wounded our relationship with him and with one another
  • Jesus Christ, God’s Son, entered our world to seek us, save us, and restore what was lost
  • Through his life, death, and resurrection, forgiveness, healing, and new life are offered to us

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

Catholic faith is lived and passed on through:

  • Sacred Scripture — God’s living Word that speaks to us
  • Sacred Tradition — the faith handed on from the apostles through the centuries
  • The Sacraments — visible signs of God’s grace, given by Christ
  • Life in the Church — worship, prayer, service, and love lived together

Through Scripture and Tradition, we come to know who God is and who we are. Through the sacraments, we encounter Christ in tangible ways. And through life in the Church, we learn to love God and one another more fully. Together, these shape a faith that is not just something we profess—but a relationship we live, a hope we carry, and a life we are invited to share.

One of the clearest and most beloved summaries of what Catholics believe is found in the Nicene Creed.

Written in the early centuries of Christianity, the Creed 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 an act of trust in God and a commitment to live as his people.

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.

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. It is a daily choice to walk with him, trusting his love even when the path is unclear.

If you are exploring the Catholic faith, returning after time away, or simply seeking to understand more, you are always welcome here. Join us for Mass. Ask questions. Walk the journey with us.

Want to Learn More?

Visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for trusted explanations of Catholic beliefs, teachings, and practices.


The Catholic faith is rooted in Sacred Scripture. The verses below echo the story of love, salvation, and new life woven throughout this page:

  • God’s love and purpose
    “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
  • Our creation and dignity
    “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God he created them.” — Genesis 1:27
  • The reality of sin and brokenness
    “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23
  • God’s saving action in Christ
    “But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
  • New life through Jesus
    “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • God’s desire for relationship
    “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” — 1 John 3:1
  • Our response of trust and faith
    “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” — John 6:29