Our Faith
Discovering and Living the Catholic Faith
We are a community of believers who trust that every act of kindness can transform lives and build a brighter future for all.
Our Catholic faith comprises what we believe and how we live that belief. For 2,000 years, this Catholic faith has been handed down from one generation to next, starting with Jesus Christ passing the faith to the Twelve Apostles. In our own lives, we may receive that faith from our parents, from friends, or even a stranger we meet.
Living as a Catholic includes many wonderful beliefs, practices, and devotions; too many to catalog here. But we hope to provide you with a brief overview of what we believe and how we live that belief.
We hope this resource will be valuable to both interested non-Catholics as well as to those already Catholic who might be looking to deepen the practice of their faith.
If you want to know more about discovering our Catholic faith as a newcomer to the Church or re-discovering the Catholic faith you received at baptism, you may want to start by exploring our Newcomers section.
To learn about what we believe as Catholics, you will want to start with What Do Catholics Believe? But if you want to learn more specifically about the seven sacraments, visit the Sacraments area of our site.
What is the Catholic Church?
Our Mission
The mission of the Church is to spread the gospel message, administer sacraments and reach out with charity and justice to people in need. The Church is led by the Pope, who is the successor of the Apostle Peter, and the Bishops, who are also in the line of apostolic succession.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church continues Christ’s work, sharing His love and hope with the world through faith, service, and unity.
Founded
The Catholic Church was founded by the person and mission of Jesus Christ. The word “Catholic” means universal. Today’s Church is truly universal – it is the largest in the world with more than 1 billion members around the globe.
Rooted in Christ, the Catholic Church unites believers worldwide, sharing a faith that transcends cultures and reaches every corner of the earth.
Being Catholic Today
As Catholics, we are called to share our faith through how we live, raise our children, and interact with others. The Catholic Church, guided by God’s revelation through Sacred Scripture and Tradition, has long been dedicated to serving those in need. We believe in the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and that the Church was founded by Christ, continuing through the Apostolic Tradition. The Paschal Mystery, especially the resurrection of Jesus, is central to our faith and liturgical celebrations, especially the Mass.
The Mass, our central act of worship, nourishes us through the Eucharist, where we encounter the real presence of Christ. Catholics are called to live countercultural lives, serving others, protecting human dignity, and promoting justice and peace. We believe in the sanctity of life and are called to care for the poor, the environment, and all people.
We honor Mary and the saints, seeking their intercession in prayer. Through both personal and communal prayer, particularly during Mass, we strengthen our relationship with God and are united with believers worldwide in our faith.
Sacraments
