The Nicene Creed: Full Prayer, Meaning, History, and Why Catholics Profess It at Every Sunday Mass
"I believe in one God..."
Every Sunday and on solemn feast days, Catholics around the world stand together and profess one of the most important statements of the Christian faith—the Nicene Creed. More than just a prayer, it is a solemn declaration of what the Catholic Church believes about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and eternal life.
The Nicene Creed has united Christians in the essential truths of the faith for nearly 1,700 years. When we pray it sincerely, we proclaim our trust in God, renew our baptismal promises, and join millions of believers across the world in one voice of faith.
In this article, you'll discover the full Nicene Creed, its history, the meaning behind each section, why Catholics pray it during Mass, and how praying it can strengthen your spiritual life.
The Full 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.
What Is the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed is the Church's official profession of faith. It summarizes the essential teachings revealed by Jesus Christ and handed down by the Apostles.
Its primary purpose is to proclaim the truth about:
God the Father
Jesus Christ, the Son of God
The Holy Spirit
The Catholic Church
Baptism
The resurrection of the dead
Eternal life
Every phrase was carefully chosen to defend the true faith against errors that arose during the early centuries of Christianity.
History of the Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed was first formulated during the First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, convened by Emperor Constantine. The bishops gathered to address false teachings that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ.
Later, the First Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381 expanded and completed the Creed, especially its teaching about the Holy Spirit. The text Catholics pray today is commonly called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.
For centuries it has remained the universal profession of faith of the Catholic Church.
The Meaning of the Nicene Creed
"I believe in one God..."
The Creed begins by proclaiming that there is only one true God—the Father Almighty, Creator of everything visible and invisible.
God is not merely the creator of the physical universe but also of the spiritual world, including the angels.
"I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ..."
This section proclaims that Jesus is truly God and truly man.
When we say:
"God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God..."
we affirm that Jesus shares the same divine nature as the Father.
The word consubstantial means that the Father and the Son are one in being. Jesus is not a created being but the eternal Son of God.
The Incarnation
The Creed reminds us of the greatest mystery of our salvation:
"By the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man."
God entered human history out of love.
Jesus became one of us so that humanity could be reconciled with God.
Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection
The Creed summarizes the heart of the Gospel:
Jesus suffered.
Jesus died.
Jesus was buried.
Jesus rose again.
Jesus ascended into heaven.
Everything Christians hope for rests upon Christ's Resurrection.
Christ Will Come Again
Catholics believe Jesus will return in glory.
His Second Coming will bring the final judgment when every person will stand before Him.
For believers, this is not a reason to fear but a reason to remain faithful and hopeful.
The Holy Spirit
The Creed proclaims the Holy Spirit as:
Lord
Giver of Life
Truly God
Worshipped together with the Father and the Son
The Holy Spirit guides the Church, inspires holiness, strengthens believers, and helps us live according to God's will.
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church
These four marks identify the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
One
United in one faith, one Lord, and one Baptism.
Holy
Made holy by Christ despite the sins of her members.
Catholic
Universal, sent to every nation and every people.
Apostolic
Built upon the Apostles and faithfully preserving their teaching through apostolic succession.
One Baptism
The Creed teaches that Baptism forgives sins and welcomes us into the Body of Christ.
Because Baptism leaves an indelible spiritual mark, it is received only once.
Resurrection and Eternal Life
The Creed ends with hope.
Christians do not simply believe in life after death.
We believe that Christ will raise our bodies and bring the faithful into eternal communion with God.
This hope gives courage during suffering and peace in the face of death.
Why Do Catholics Pray the Nicene Creed at Mass?
The Nicene Creed is prayed after the homily because the faithful respond to God's Word by professing their faith together.
When Catholics recite the Creed, they:
Renew their faith.
Profess the teachings of the Church.
Prepare themselves to receive the Eucharist.
Unite with Catholics throughout the world.
The Creed reminds us that our faith is not merely personal but shared by the entire Church.
How the Nicene Creed Can Strengthen Your Faith
Praying the Nicene Creed slowly and thoughtfully can help you:
Grow in your knowledge of Catholic doctrine.
Deepen your relationship with the Holy Trinity.
Strengthen your trust during trials.
Remember God's plan of salvation.
Renew your hope in eternal life.
Rather than rushing through the words, meditate on each statement as a personal act of faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Nicene Creed?
It is named after the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325), where the Church first formulated this profession of faith.
Is the Nicene Creed different from the Apostles' Creed?
Yes. Both are authentic professions of Catholic faith, but the Nicene Creed is longer and more detailed, especially in its teaching about Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The Apostles' Creed is commonly prayed during the Rosary and in personal devotion, while the Nicene Creed is ordinarily used during Sunday Mass and solemnities.
Why do Catholics bow during the Creed?
When praying the words:
"and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man,"
Catholics make a profound bow as a sign of reverence for the mystery of the Incarnation.
Related Catholic Prayers
If this prayer has strengthened your faith, you may also wish to reflect on:
The Act of Faith
The Act of Hope
The Act of Love
Morning Offering Prayer
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer Before Holy Communion
Prayer After Holy Communion
Final Reflection
The Nicene Creed is far more than words we repeat at Mass. It is a living profession of faith that connects us with the Apostles, the early Church, the saints, and Catholics around the world.
Every time we proclaim, "I believe," we renew our trust in the Father who created us, the Son who redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us.
May this ancient profession of faith continue to guide our hearts, strengthen our hope, and deepen our love for the Holy Trinity until the day we share in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
If this article helped you grow in your faith, please share it with your family and friends. Explore more Catholic prayers and teachings here on Catholic Prayers & Inspirations.
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