Why We're Catholic

I believe in order to understand; and I understand the better to believe. — St. Augustine of Hippo

We believe in Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, sent by a Father who desires everlasting life for us. We believe in the Incarnation — that God became man without ceasing to be God. Jesus walked this earth, taught, healed, and called us to be adopted sons and daughters of God. By taking our humanity to the cross, he conquered sin and death; in his resurrection he was raised in glory, the first fruits and the basis of our hope that we too will be raised.

We believe in his good news

We were created for relationship with God; through sin, that relationship was broken. In his love and mercy, God laid out a plan to restore it. He sent his Son, who suffered and died for our sake, bearing our sin and shame. In three days he rose again in glory. His victory over death is our hope and our salvation. This is the good news — the Gospel.

We belong to the Church Jesus founded

Jesus founded the Church during his earthly ministry, around the year 30. He set apart twelve apostles and gave them authority to care for it, with Peter as their leader — the rock on whom the Church was built (Matthew 16:16–19). At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down upon the early Church, breaking down barriers of language and nation and making one universal family. That is what the word catholic means: in Greek, katholikos — universal.

We are called to love

Two thousand years later, the Catholic Church is a family of well over a billion people from every walk of life, with one simple mission: to love God and to love others. Faith grows when it seeks understanding — so keep asking questions. Trusted places to dig deeper include Catholic Answers, Word on Fire, Ascension Press, and Formed, which our parish subscription makes free (sign up at signup.formed.org with 'RCCV: St James').

Thinking about becoming Catholic, or coming back? See What to Expect at Mass, or read about Upon This Rock — our parish course for becoming Catholic.