Catholic Identity and Beliefs

Q: What is the Catholic Church?

A: Simply put, it is the one true church founded by the person and mission of  Jesus Christ.

The word “Catholic” means universal. Today’s Church is truly universal – it is the largest in the world with more than 1 billion members around the globe.

The mission of the Church is to spread the gospel message, administer sacraments and reach out with charity and justice to people in need.


The Church is led by the Pope, who is the successor of the Apostle Peter, and the Bishops, who are also in the line of apostolic succession.


Q: What do Catholics Believe?

We profess our core beliefs by praying the Nicene Creed each Sunday at Mass. Learn more about the Mass, our primary form of worship, by visiting our "Teaching Masses" page.

We also abide by the Ten Commandments and the Basic Precepts of the Church.

  • The 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 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.

  • The Ten Commandments

    1. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shall not have strange gods before Me.
    2. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
    3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's day.
    4. Honor thy father and mother.
    5. Thou shall not kill.
    6. Thou shall not commit adultery.
    7. Thou shall not steal.
    8. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
    9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife.
    10. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods.

  • The Two Greatest Commandments

     “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  He said to him, '‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”


    (Matthew 22:36-40, NRSVCE)

  • The Basic Precepts of the Church

    1. Attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation
    2. Confess your sins at least once a year
    3. Receive the Eucharist at least once a year
    4. Observe days of fasting and abstinence
    5. Provide for the needs of the Church

The Ten Commandments are taken from Sacred Scripture. The Basic Precepts of the Church are rooted in Sacred Scripture as well as tradition, and evolved organically over centuries in order to have a coherent practice of faith.


Besides these, there are many other beliefs held within the richness of the Catholic faith.

A comprehensive and structured summary of our beliefs are compiled into the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is used as a teaching tool.

Click Here to Read The Catechism