What is a creed?
The English word “creed” comes from the Latin verb “credo” which means
“I believe”. The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are statements of
what we fundamentally believe as Catholics.
Where does the Nicene Creed come from?
The Nicene Creed originated at the Council of Nicaea, in AD 325. It was written to counter the Arian heresy, which denied that Jesus Christ is God, instead teaching that He was a created being. A heresy is a belief held by a Christian which contradicts a teaching of the Church.
The words of the Nicene Creed, “begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father” clearly show that Jesus, the Son of God, is truly God. Jesus is equal to God the Father in divinity, and has always existed.
The Nicene Creed was further elaborated at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381 to counter the heresy that the Holy Spirit was not fully divine. The words of the Nicene Creed, “who proceeds from the Father and the
Son” clearly show that the Holy Spirit is truly God, equal to the Father and to the Son.
To understand the Nicene Creed is to understand what we believe as Catholics.
Why are we praying the Nicene Creed at all Masses during the Jubilee
Year at Corpus Christi parish?
This year, 2025, marks not only the Jubilee Year of Hope but also the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea (modern-
day Turkey).
To celebrate this anniversary of the formulation of the Nicene Creed, our parish has chosen to pray this Creed during the Jubilee Year. In addition, this will help us learn this beautiful prayer and come to a deeper understanding of our faith.
for "The Nicene Creed explained"
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.