The Nicene Creed — also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed — is deeply familiar to practicing Catholics, as it is proclaimed each Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. It is more than a routine prayer recited at Mass; it is a solemn profession of faith that unites the Church’s faithful across centuries and continents.
Although the Church adopted this creed in the 4th century, it would be a while until it was introduced into the Mass. St. Leander, bishop of Seville and brother of St. Isidore, was among the first to introduce the Nicene Creed into the liturgy around the year 600.
One Church, One Creed
Today, Christians throughout the world continue to profess this same creed, affirming the central mysteries of our faith. The text outlines what we, as Catholics, believe about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and our mother, the Church.
- The Creed specifies that we believe in one God, not many, who is the Creator of all things and who is considered our Father.
- We declare that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son and equal to the Father. Although divine, He became human in order to save us through His sacrifice on the Cross. He will come again at the end of time.
- We profess that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, equal to both the Father and the Son. He brings spiritual life to our souls and guides the Church through the ages.
- Finally, we proclaim that the Church is One, united under Christ’s headship, holy, Catholic (universal), and in continuous succession from the apostles.
Rejoice Every Day
St. Augustine offers us a profound way to approach it:
“Let the creed be like a mirror for you. Look at yourself in it to see whether you really believe all that you claim to believe. And rejoice every day in your faith.”
Praying the Creed attentively invites us to examine not only what we believe, but how we live. Each line is an invitation to trust more deeply in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In addition to praying it at Mass, consider praying the Nicene Creed at home — slowly, intentionally — as a daily act of praise and gratitude. In doing so, you truly learn to rejoice every day in your faith.
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What Is the Meaning of the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed is a formal profession of faith that summarizes the central beliefs of Christianity. It affirms the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — and proclaims the saving work of Jesus Christ and the unity of the Church. First formulated in the 4th century, it protects the Church’s teaching against error and unites believers across generations. When prayed attentively, it becomes not merely words, but a personal act of trust in God.