Credo - “We Believe…”

Just after the Homily, we are invited to stand and profess our faith.  Every word of the Creed has profound meaning but it is the opening—the declaration of belief that sets the foundation for our universal—i.e., Catholic faith.  These words encapsulate the individual and communal dimensions of faith, rooted in divine revelation and guided by the Church. By exploring this declaration we can uncover the profound significance of our trust in God’s truth and its implications for Christian life.

I. The Nature of Belief

Belief (credere) is an act of faith that involves the intellect, the will, and the grace of God.

A. Faith as an Intellectual Act

For St. Thomas Aquinas, belief begins with the intellect assenting to divine truths revealed by God. These truths, while often surpassing human reason, are not contrary to it. Aquinas writes:

   “To believe is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q. 2, a. 9).

The Catechism echoes this:

   “Faith is first of all a personal adherence of man to God. At the same time, it is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed” (CCC 150).

   •    Belief is grounded in God’s authority as the one who reveals. As the Credo proclaims, “I believe” is an acknowledgment that Deus non potest mentiri (“God cannot lie”).

 B. Faith as Voluntary and Supernatural

Faith is not coerced but requires a free response. The will, moved by grace, inclines the intellect to assent. This supernatural dimension is emphasized by Aquinas:

   “Faith is a gift of God that perfects the intellect and enables it to assent to divine truths” (Summa Theologiae, II-II, q. 6, a. 1).

The Catechism confirms:

   “Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by him” (CCC 153).

Thus, the act of belief (Credo) is both a human and divine act, relying on grace (Gratia fidei fundamentum est—“Grace is the foundation of faith”).

II. The Communal Dimension: “We Believe”

The Credo begins with “we” to reflect the unity of faith within the Church. While faith is personal, it is not individualistic; it is shared and professed within the communion of the Church.

  A. The Church as the Context of Faith

Faith is not self-generated but transmitted through the Church, the Body of Christ. As St. Augustine writes:

   “The Church’s authority moves me to believe” (Contra Epistolam Manichaei, 5, 6).

The Catechism reiterates this communal aspect:

   “‘I believe’ is the faith of the Church professed personally by each believer, principally during Baptism. ‘We believe’ is the faith of the Church confessed by the bishops assembled in council or more generally by the liturgical assembly of believers” (CCC 167).

  B.  Unity in Faith

The communal nature of “we believe” reflects the Church’s unity in doctrine, liturgy, and mission. St. Cyprian of Carthage emphasizes this unity:

   “The faith of the Church is one, and she speaks with one voice as the Bride of Christ” (De Unitate Ecclesiae).

The Latin maxim Ecclesia mater fidei (“The Church is the mother of faith”) underscores that the faith professed in the Credo is received from the Church as a gift.

III. Faith as a Theological Virtue

Belief is not merely intellectual assent but a theological virtue infused by grace. Faith elevates the soul, enabling it to reach truths beyond natural understanding.

 A. Faith and Reason

While divine truths often surpass reason, they do not contradict it. As Aquinas explains:

   “Faith is above reason, not contrary to it” (Summa Theologiae, I, q. 1, a. 6).

The Catechism adds:

   “Though faith is above reason, there can never be any real discrepancy between faith and reason” (CCC 159).

This harmony is captured in the Latin phrase Fides quaerens intellectum (“Faith seeking understanding”), a principle articulated by St. Anselm.

 B. Faith as Ordered to Charity

Faith is perfected in love (caritas), as St. Paul teaches:

   “And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13, Douay-Rheims).

The Catechism elaborates:

   “Faith is dead without works. Faith works through charity” (CCC 1815).

IV. The Scriptural Foundation of “We Believe”

The Credo encapsulates the biblical call to faith:

   •    John 14:1: “You believe in God, believe also in me.”

   •    Romans 10:9: “If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Belief unites the believer with God and the Church, making the Credo both a personal and communal act of faith.

V. Distinction from Protestant Views

Protestant traditions, particularly those emphasizing sola fide (“faith alone”), often reduce belief to an individual trust in God, disconnected from the ecclesial context and sacramental life.

 A. The Catholic Response

The Catholic Church teaches that faith:

   •    Is both personal and ecclesial: Faith is received from the Church and professed within her community (CCC 166).

   •    Includes cooperation with grace: Belief is not passive; it requires a free response and works motivated by charity (CCC 2005).

   •    Is sacramental: Faith is nourished and expressed through the sacraments, especially Baptism, the “sacrament of faith” (CCC 1236).

St. Thomas Aquinas distinguishes Catholic faith as a holistic ascent to God’s truth, guided by the Church, rather than an individualistic or subjective experience.

VI. Latin Maxims on Belief

The Catholic understanding of “we believe” is beautifully summarized in several Latin phrases:

   •    Credo ut intelligam (I believe so that I may understand): Faith opens the intellect to divine truths.

   •    Gratia praeparat fidem (Grace prepares faith): God’s grace initiates and sustains belief.

   •    Fides et ratio (Faith and reason): Faith and reason work together to lead the soul to truth.

Conclusion

The phrase “We believe” is a profound declaration of faith that unites intellect, will, and Grace. It expresses personal trust in God and participation in the communal faith of the Church. Drawing on the teachings of Aquinas, the Church Fathers, and the Catechism, this declaration reminds us that belief is not merely an intellectual act but a supernatural gift that elevates the soul toward God.

By professing Credo, Catholics affirm their trust in the God who reveals Himself, their unity with the Church, and their hope for eternal life. Truly, as St. Augustine said:

   “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you believe.” (Sermo 43, 1).