One God
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Catholic Faith
What Do Catholics Believe?
A clear and welcoming introduction to what Catholics believe about God, Jesus Christ, the Church, Scripture, the sacraments, the Eucharist, Mary, the saints, prayer, and eternal life.
Catholic Belief at a Glance
Catholics believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, true God and true man, who became human for our salvation, died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and will come again.
Catholics believe that Jesus founded his Church to continue his mission in the world. They receive Sacred Scripture as the inspired Word of God and Sacred Tradition as the living transmission of the faith entrusted by Christ to the Apostles.
Catholic life is centered on God’s grace, especially as received through the seven sacraments and most profoundly in the Eucharist. Catholics honor Mary and the saints, seek forgiveness and holiness, care for their neighbors, and live in hope of the resurrection of the dead and eternal life with God.
Catholic Beliefs at a Glance
Key Takeaways
Jesus Christ
The Son of God and Savior of the world.
The Church
One, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
Scripture & Tradition
One deposit of faith faithfully handed on.
Seven Sacraments
Christ gives his grace through sacramental signs.
Eternal Life
Resurrection and everlasting communion with God.
The Heart of the Faith
What Do Catholics Believe?
Catholic faith is not primarily a list of rules, devotions, or unrelated traditions. At its center is the living God, who created us, loves us, and calls us into communion with him.
Catholics believe God entered human history in a unique and definitive way through Jesus Christ. Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, forgave sins, healed the suffering, gathered disciples, gave his life on the Cross, and rose from the dead. Before his Ascension, he sent his followers to proclaim the Gospel.
What Catholics believe about the Church, Scripture, the sacraments, the Eucharist, prayer, Mary, the saints, morality, forgiveness, and eternal life flows from what Catholics believe about God and Jesus Christ. One of the clearest summaries is the Nicene Creed.
The Nicene Creed: A Summary of the Catholic Faith
At Sunday Mass, Catholics throughout the world regularly profess the Nicene Creed. A creed is a formal statement of belief; the word comes from the Latin credo, meaning “I believe.” The Creed takes its name from the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 and follows the shape of Christian belief: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Church, Baptism, resurrection, and eternal life.
The FatherCreator of heaven and earth
The SonJesus Christ, Lord and Savior
The Holy SpiritThe Lord and giver of life
ONE • HOLY • CATHOLIC • APOSTOLIC
Catholics Believe in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Catholics believe in one God. The one God exists eternally as three divine Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Catholics do not believe in three gods. The divine Persons are distinct, yet possess one divine nature.
The Trinity is at the heart of Catholic worship and life. Catholics are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; make the Sign of the Cross; and pray to the Father through the Son in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Catholics Believe Jesus Christ Is Lord and Savior
At the center of Catholic faith is Jesus Christ. Catholics believe he is the eternal Son of God who became truly human without ceasing to be truly God. He was born of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed God’s Kingdom, gave his life for humanity, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will come again in glory.
Salvation is God’s gift, made possible through Christ. Grace calls for a real response of faith, conversion, love, and perseverance. To be Catholic is ultimately to be called into discipleship.
IncarnationMinistryCrossResurrectionAscensionReturn in Glory
Catholics Believe Christ Founded His Church
Jesus gathered disciples, chose the Apostles, and entrusted them with a mission. Catholics believe that bishops continue this apostolic ministry and that the pope continues the pastoral ministry associated with St. Peter in service of the Church’s unity.
The Church is not merely a voluntary association. She is a people called together by God, united to Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
OneUnited in Christ.
HolyMade holy by Christ and the Holy Spirit.
CatholicSent to all peoples.
ApostolicFounded upon the Apostles.
Catholics Believe the Bible Is the Inspired Word of God
The Catholic Church teaches that Sacred Scripture was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and communicates the truth God intended for our salvation. Every Mass includes readings from Scripture, and Catholics are encouraged to read, study, and pray with the Bible.
Catholics Believe in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition
Scripture belongs within the living faith in which it was received, proclaimed, preserved, and handed on. Catholics understand Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition as closely united, not competing sources.
Sacred ScriptureInspired Word of God in written form
Sacred TraditionLiving transmission of the apostolic faith
MagisteriumFaithfully interprets and teaches the Word of God
Catholics Believe in Seven Sacraments
The sacraments are effective signs of grace instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church. They are not merely symbolic ceremonies: through them, Christ acts in the lives of his people.
BaptismNew life in Christ
ConfirmationStrengthened by the Spirit
EucharistChrist’s Body and Blood
ReconciliationMercy and absolution
AnointingGrace in illness
Holy OrdersOrdained service
MatrimonyCovenant of spouses
Catholics Believe Jesus Is Truly Present in the Eucharist
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples his Body and Blood and commanded them to continue this memorial. The Mass makes sacramentally present Christ’s one sacrifice and gathers the Church around Word and Sacrament.
Catholics believe Jesus Christ is really, truly, and substantially present in the Eucharist.
Catholics Honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus
Catholics honor Mary because of her unique relationship with Christ and her faithful response to God. Calling Mary the Mother of God protects the truth that the person she bore, Jesus Christ, is truly God and truly man.
Catholics Honor the Saints and Ask for Their Prayers
The Communion of Saints expresses the unity of all who belong to Christ. The saints have no holiness independent of God; their lives show what following Christ can look like in different times and circumstances.
Do Catholics Worship Statues?
No. Sacred images are not gods. Like family photographs, they can help people remember real persons and events. Worship is directed to God alone.
Catholics Believe God Calls Everyone to Holiness
Holiness is not reserved for clergy or canonized saints. Every Christian is called to conversion, prayer, virtue, charity, and love of God and neighbor. Grace is God’s gift; Catholics respond through faith working in love.
Catholics Believe in Prayer
Catholic prayer includes praise, thanksgiving, repentance, petition, Scripture, silence, and the Church’s liturgy. Its goal is a growing relationship with God.
Catholics Believe in Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Christ entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to his Church. In confession, a person honestly names sin, expresses sorrow, receives absolution through the ministry of a priest, and begins again in God’s mercy.
What Does Catholic Faith Look Like in Everyday Life?
Catholic beliefs are meant to be lived in worship, relationships, decisions, service, and hope.
Sunday MassGathering around Word and Eucharist
Daily PrayerA growing relationship with God
ScriptureListening to God’s Word
SacramentsReceiving Christ’s grace
Love of NeighborCharity, mercy, and justice
Vocation & ServiceOffering one’s gifts to God
Catholics Believe in the Resurrection and Eternal Life
Catholics believe that death does not have the final word. Each person faces judgment, and at the end of history Christ will come again, the dead will rise, and God’s justice and mercy will be fully revealed.
JudgmentEach life is accountable before God.
HeavenEternal communion with God.
HellDefinitive self-exclusion from God.
PurgatoryFinal purification of those destined for heaven.
Catholic Hope Is Ultimately Hope in Christ
Christian hope rests not in human achievement but in the crucified and risen Jesus. Catholics await the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come.
Helpful Answers
Common Questions About Catholic Beliefs
Yes. Catholics are Christians who profess faith in Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God, Lord, and Savior.
Catholic means universal or according to the whole. The Church is sent to every people, nation, culture, and generation.
Catholics believe Jesus Christ founded his Church, chose the Apostles, and entrusted them with continuing his mission.
Yes. Catholics receive Sacred Scripture as the inspired Word of God and hear it proclaimed at every Mass.
Sacred Tradition is the living transmission of the apostolic faith. Catholics believe Scripture and Tradition together communicate the one deposit of faith entrusted to the Church.
No. Catholics worship God alone. They honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus and ask for her intercession.
Catholics ask saints to pray for them, much as Christians ask friends to pray for them. All intercession depends upon Christ.
Catholics believe Christ entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Apostles and their successors. The priest ministers Christ’s forgiveness in the sacrament.
Catholics believe Jesus Christ is really, truly, and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine.
Salvation is God’s gift of grace through Jesus Christ. This grace calls for faith that is lived through love, obedience, and perseverance.
Purgatory is the final purification of those who die in God’s friendship but still need purification before entering the fullness of heaven.
Catholics hear the Word of God, pray together, offer thanksgiving and worship, and celebrate the Eucharist.
Questions Are Welcome
Interested in Becoming Catholic?
OCIA is a process of prayer, learning, community, and discernment for people exploring the Catholic faith. You do not need to have every answer before beginning a conversation.
Come and See
You do not need to understand everything about Catholicism before walking through the doors of a Catholic church. If you are curious, returning after time away, or simply looking for a place to pray, you are welcome at San Isidro Catholic Church.
“Come and see.” — John 1:46