The Nicene Creed

Updated October 15, 2026

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God. Begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And became incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary: and was made man.

He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose kingdom there shall be no end.

And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified: who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Traditional wording from the pre-1970 English Roman Missal (public domain). The US Mass today uses the ICEL 2010 translation, which is copyrighted.

Pray the Nicene Creed every day with a reminder.

Start praying with Rosary & Mercy

Key takeaways

It is the creed prayed at Mass on Sundays and solemnities.
It was written at the councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381).
It defends the full divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

What is the Nicene Creed?

The Nicene Creed is the profession of faith the whole Church says together at Sunday Mass. The Council of Nicaea in 325 defined that Jesus is truly God, "consubstantial with the Father." The Council of Constantinople in 381 completed the section on the Holy Spirit.

When to pray it

Catholics say it at Mass on Sundays and solemnities, standing. Some also pray it privately as a statement of faith, especially around councils, anniversaries and times of doubt.

Begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father

These words answered Arius, who taught that Christ was a creature. They state that the Son shares the very being of the Father.

Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son

The Latin Church added "and the Son" (Filioque) to teach that the Spirit proceeds from both. The Eastern churches do not include it, and this remains a point in dialogue between East and West (CCC 246-248).

One holy Catholic and Apostolic Church

These are the four marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic, built on the apostles (CCC 811).

Questions people ask

Why does the Mass use the Nicene Creed?

It is the shared creed of most of Christianity and has been used at the Eucharist for over a thousand years. It joins the congregation in one profession of faith (CCC 195).

What is "consubstantial" in the creed?

It translates the Greek homoousios, meaning of one substance. The 2010 US Missal says "consubstantial with the Father," the older 1973 version said "one in Being."

What is the Filioque?

It is the Latin phrase "and the Son," added to the Western text of the creed. It states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both Father and Son.

When can I pray the Apostles' Creed instead at Mass?

The Roman Missal allows the Apostles' Creed in place of the Nicene Creed, particularly in Lent and Easter.

Pray through what you are reading, every day, with a gentle reminder.