What Are the Catholic Creeds?
The prayers that are called creeds are professions of the Roman Catholic faith. Catholics recite the creeds during Mass or while praying, so that they can show that they believe. Catholics learn the creeds at a young age, usually from parents or in religion classes.
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Apostles' Creed
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The Apostles' Creed declares belief in God, Jesus, and the Holy Catholic Church. The oldest of the Catholic creeds, it was created as a way for Christians to tell others what they believed. It summarizes what the apostles taught when they went out into the world, according to the Beginning Catholics website.
Athanasian Creed
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The Athanasian Creed is believed to back to the fourth century during the time of Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria. This creed explains what Catholics believe, and it has the clearest explanation of the three creeds. The Athanasian Creed is not used during Mass and it is not as familiar to most Catholics. However, its description of the faith is distinct, and it can be used to teach Catholics why they should believe, and what will happen when they do.
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Nicene Creed
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The Nicene Creed is a longer version of the Apostles' Creed, and it goes into more detail about the profession of faith. This creed dates to about 325 A.D. and was included as a creed in 381, according to information from the website of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Picayune, Miss. The creed declares belief in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, as well as "one holy catholic and apostolic church", the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life after death.
How Catholics Use the Creeds
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The Apostles' Creed is used when Catholics pray the rosary and sometimes during Masses. The Nicene Creed is also often recited during Mass. Children who are born into the Catholic faith learn the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed young. The Athanasian Creed is not used during Mass, and it is less familiar to Catholics.
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References
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: The Profession of the Christian Faith
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: Question and Answers on the Catechism of the Catholic Church; the Rev. John Pollard
- Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics: The Apostles' Creed
- Catholic Tradition; Three Catholic Creeds / Athanasian, Apostles, and Nicene; 2010
- St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church: Nicen Creed
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