The Catholic Faith

The Catholic Faith can be traced back to the Apostles, handed down to them from Jesus, in an unbroken succession for nearly 2,000 years. In the Nicene Creed,  four marks of the Church are identified:

One - Just as God is one in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so also is the Church one. The founder of the Church is Jesus Christ, who brought us back to God and made us into the family of God. 

Holy - The Church is holy because the Church lives in union with Jesus, the source of holiness. Through the Holy Spirit, the Church leads others to holiness as seen in the love that the faithful have toward one another and the sacrifices they make. 

Catholic - Catholic means “universal.”  First, the Church is "catholic" because all baptized people are part of the Church and the Church possesses the means of salvation. 

Apostolic - The Church traces its tradition directly from the apostles and is considered apostolic. With the Holy Spirit the Church preserves and continues the teaching of the apostles. The pope and bishops are the successors of the apostles.