Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the statement of faith Catholics profess at Sunday Mass and on solemnities. At Find A Prayer, we gather devotional resources and prayers so you have dependable words ready for your home, parish, and personal contemplation. The profession of faith summarizes core Christian convictions regarding the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It also affirms the Church, baptism, and the resurrection of the dead.
Common liturgical practice refers to this text as the Nicene Creed, though it is also called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. The creed comes from two ancient gatherings: the Council of Nicaea in 325 and the First Council of Constantinople in 381. In the historic Latin liturgy, the profession begins with the line, "Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium." The Latin term "Credo" translates into English as "I believe." While the previous English translation of the Mass used the plural phrase "We believe," the translation of the Roman Missal implemented in 2011 restored the singular form. As a result, each individual believer speaks for themselves even while the congregation recites the text together.
Many Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox churches also recite the Nicene Creed during their regular worship services. Because the specific 2011 English text used during Mass is copyrighted, worshippers consult parish missalettes or hymnals for the exact liturgical translation.
A Short Prayer Before the Nicene Creed
Heavenly Father, as we prepare to profess the ancient faith of the Church, open our lips and purify our hearts. Clear away all distractions, worries, and doubts from our minds. Grant us the grace to proclaim each article of faith with sincere devotion and reverence. May the truths handed down through the councils take deep root in our daily lives, so our actions reflect the convictions we profess aloud. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Meditation on the Nicene Creed and God the Father
Almighty Father, You are the creator of heaven and earth, the maker of everything visible and invisible. We bow before Your majesty, acknowledging that every breath we take is a gift from Your generous hand. You spoke light into the darkness, established the order of the cosmos, and formed humanity in Your own image. When our minds struggle to comprehend Your power, anchor our hearts in Your tender fatherhood. Remind us that the same God who holds the galaxies in place watches over the details of our daily struggles. Deliver us from pride and self-reliance. Help us trust Your providential care when life brings sudden hardship, grief, or uncertainty. Teach us to rest beneath the shelter of Your sovereign goodness, knowing that nothing exists outside the reach of Your love. As we reflect on the solemn words of the Nicene Creed, deepen our awe for Your creative work and strengthen our desire to serve You faithfully in our homes and communities. We offer our adoration to You, now and through all generations. Amen.
A Prayer of Thanks for Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for walking upon this earth and sharing in our human life. You revealed the mercy of God through Your healing touch, Your patient teaching, and Your care for the weak. You welcomed the forgotten, comforted the sorrowful, and gave Yourself out of love for all people. We thank You for overcoming the grave and offering us real hope. Teach us to follow Your example. Grant us the courage to love our neighbors as You loved us. When we face hardship, doubt, or heavy distraction, steady our restless minds with Your grace. Help us forgive those who wrong us, care for people in need, and speak with gentle kindness. Keep us faithful to Your commandments in our homes and our daily work. Direct our paths so that everything we do brings honor to You. Amen.
A Prayer to the Holy Spirit and for the Church
Holy Spirit, breath of God, draw near to us today. Strengthen our hearts when doubt creeps in. Give us a steady, quiet trust that anchors our daily work, our families, and our private decisions. We pray for the unity of all who worship and follow Jesus Christ across the world. Soften our stubborn attitudes when pride causes division. Help us listen with patience and respect whenever disagreements arise between believers. Teach us to forgive quickly, remembering the deep mercy we have each received. Guard our minds from cynicism and protect our communities from bitterness. Bind our congregations together in genuine charity so we may support one another in times of trial. We place our faith into Your care and ask You to renew our devotion every morning. Amen.
A Prayer for Times When Faith Feels Weak
Lord God, there are days when our faith feels frail and our spirits grow weary under the weight of trials. When questions trouble our thoughts or grief clouds our vision, hold us close to Your heart. We remember that the creed begins with the words "I believe." We make that same humble petition our own today. Do not let the darkness of this world extinguish the light of the convictions we profess at Mass. When our own feelings waver, let the ancient faith of the Church carry us forward. Grant us patience in suffering, courage in uncertainty, and a steadfast hope anchored in the promises of Christ. We place our fragile trust entirely in Your hands. Amen.
A One-Line Daily Prayer of Faith
Lord Jesus, strengthen our belief in You today and keep us faithful to the promises of our baptism. Amen.
Scripture to pray
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.— John 1:1 (KJV)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.— Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nicene Creed?
The Nicene Creed is the formal profession of Christian faith recited by Catholics during Sunday Mass and on major liturgical solemnities. It outlines foundational doctrines regarding the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the role of the Church, baptism, and eternal life. Because it originated from both the Council of Nicaea in 325 and the First Council of Constantinople in 381, it is formally known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. The statement serves as a shared confession of faith uniting believers across centuries.
When do Catholics say the Nicene Creed?
Catholics profess the Nicene Creed during Mass on Sundays and on holy days designated as solemnities. During Lent and Easter Time, parishes may use the Apostles' Creed in its place.
How does the Nicene Creed differ from the Apostles' Creed?
The Apostles' Creed is the other well-known creed, and it is the creed prayed at the start of the Rosary. The Nicene Creed is the one Catholics profess at Sunday Mass and on solemnities. The Apostles' Creed may be used at Mass in place of the Nicene Creed, especially during Lent and Easter Time.
Who wrote the Nicene Creed?
No single person wrote the Nicene Creed. It is the work of councils of bishops. The Council of Nicaea met in 325 and the First Council of Constantinople in 381.
What does 'one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church' mean?
The creed calls the Church "one, holy, catholic and apostolic." The word 'catholic' is written with a lowercase letter here because it means universal. It does not refer only to the Roman Catholic Church.
What is the Filioque?
The Latin text used in the West includes the word 'Filioque' ('and the Son') about the procession of the Holy Spirit. The Eastern Orthodox churches do not include it in their version of the creed.
Can non-Catholics say the Nicene Creed?
Yes, many Protestant, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox Christians regularly recite the Nicene Creed during their own worship gatherings. Because the creed originates from the early ecumenical councils, it forms a common doctrinal heritage shared across many Christian traditions.
Where can I find the exact words used at Mass?
The official English wording currently used during Catholic Mass comes from the 2011 translation of the Roman Missal, which is copyrighted. You can find the exact text in your parish missalette, a Sunday hymnal, or an approved daily missal.