10The Creed
We stand and say what the whole Church believes, in words written by the bishops of the early Church more than 1,600 years ago. At the words about God becoming man, everyone bows.
Do Stand. Bow your head at “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man”. At Christmas and on the Annunciation (25 March), genuflect instead.
Say “I believe in one God…” or, especially in Lent and Easter, the Apostles’ Creed.
Learn it in Latin: Credo in unum Deum and Credo in Deum
Did you know?
How old is the Creed we say on Sundays?
It turned 1,700 in 2025. It began at the Council of Nicaea in 325 and was completed at Constantinople in 381 (CCC 195).
For parentsThe theology behind this moment, and where every fact comes from
Where this comes from
- Teaching In the Creed we answer God’s word and recall the great truths of the faith before celebrating them in the Eucharist (GIRM 67).
- Teaching It is said on Sundays and solemnities (GIRM 68), and comes from the first two ecumenical councils, in 325 and 381 (CCC 195).
- Teaching Everyone bows at the words about God becoming man, and genuflects on those two days (GIRM 137).
- Teaching The Apostles’ Creed may replace the longer Creed, especially in Lent and Easter (Roman Missal, Order of Mass).
What the labels mean: Teaching, Tradition and Tip.