Explore two millennia of Christian history, ecumenical councils, historical professions of faith, the transmission of the 73-book Catholic Canon, and patristic biblical commentaries.
From the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the missionary journeys of Saints Peter and Paul to the writing of the Gospels and Apostolic Epistles.
St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeus, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome (translator of the Latin Vulgate), St. Augustine, and the Councils of Nicaea (325) and Chalcedon (451).
Preservation of Sacred Scripture by Benedictine monks, the development of chapter divisions by Stephen Langton, and the theological synthesis of the Summa Theologiae.
solemn affirmation of the 73-book biblical canon at the Council of Trent (1546), the English Douay-Rheims translation (1582–1609), and Fr. George Leo Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary (1811).
Renewal of biblical and patristic scholarship, the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), and universal access to original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.
Authoritative texts preserved in English, Vietnamese, and Latin
Attributed to the twelve Apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles' Creed is the ancient baptismal confession of the Church of Rome.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Promulgated by the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and the First Council of Constantinople (381 AD), formulating the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity against the Arian heresy.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Named after Saint Athanasius the Great of Alexandria, this Western Latin creed is acclaimed for its rigorous Trinitarian and Incarnational theological precision.
Whoever desires to be saved, must above all hold the Catholic faith. Whoever does not keep it whole and undefiled will without doubt perish eternally. And the Catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one: the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Spirit uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal...
Promulgated by Pope Pius IV in the papal bull Iniunctum nobis in 1564 following the close of the Council of Trent, summarizing Catholic dogma affirmed in the Counter-Reformation.
I with a firm faith believe and profess each and every thing which is contained in the symbol of faith which the holy Roman Church makes use of... I most steadfastly admit and embrace Apostolic and ecclesiastical traditions, and all other observances and constitutions of the same Church. I also admit the holy scriptures, according to that sense which our holy mother Church has held and does hold, to whom it belongs to judge of the true sense and interpretations of the Scriptures. Neither will I ever take and interpret them otherwise than according to the unanimous consent of the Fathers. I also profess that there are truly and properly seven sacraments of the New Law, instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and necessary for the salvation of mankind, though not all for every one...
Solemnly defined by the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon in 451 AD following the Tome of Pope Saint Leo the Great, confessing Jesus Christ as one divine Person in two natures, human and divine, without confusion, change, division, or separation.
We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.
Catechism of the Catholic Church §2 regarding "I. The life of man - to know and love God" cites Matthew 28:19-20 as a scriptural foundation for Catholic doctrine. Full official text is available via the Holy See archive (vatican.va).
Catechism of the Catholic Church §2 regarding "I. The life of man - to know and love God" cites Mark 16:20 as a scriptural foundation for Catholic doctrine. Full official text is available via the Holy See archive (vatican.va).
Catechism of the Catholic Church §3 regarding "I. The life of man - to know and love God" cites Acts 2:42 as a scriptural foundation for Catholic doctrine. Full official text is available via the Holy See archive (vatican.va).
Catechism of the Catholic Church §14 regarding "Structure of this Catechism" cites Matthew 10:32 as a scriptural foundation for Catholic doctrine. Full official text is available via the Holy See archive (vatican.va).
Catechism of the Catholic Church §14 regarding "Structure of this Catechism" cites Romans 10:9 as a scriptural foundation for Catholic doctrine. Full official text is available via the Holy See archive (vatican.va).
Catechism of the Catholic Church §29 regarding "I. The Desire for God" cites Matthew 13:22 as a scriptural foundation for Catholic doctrine. Full official text is available via the Holy See archive (vatican.va).
By St. Augustine of Hippo • 6 Chapters
Spiritual autobiography of Saint Augustine of Hippo in thirteen books, recounting his restless youth, conversion through the prayers of St. Monica and preaching of St. Ambrose, and profound meditations on memory, time, and Genesis.
By Thomas à Kempis • 4 Chapters
The most widely read Catholic devotional masterpiece after Sacred Scripture, composed in four books guiding the Christian soul in interior humility, detachment from vanity, and devout reception of the Holy Eucharist.
By Eusebius of Caesarea • 2 Chapters
Foundational ten-book history of the early Christian Church from the Apostles to Emperor Constantine, preserving apostolic succession lists, early martyrdoms (Polycarp, Ignatius, Blandina), and the formation of the New Testament canon.
By Flavius Josephus (Trans. William Whiston) • 2 Chapters
First-century Jewish historical works covering the entire narrative of the Old Testament, the Maccabean revolt, Herodian Judea, the Testimonium Flavianum concerning Jesus and John the Baptist, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
By Alfred Edersheim • 2 Chapters
Classic historical and rabbinic-contextual study illuminating Old Testament sacred history and the Second Temple Jewish background of the Gospels.
By St. Francis de Sales (Doctor of the Church) • 1 Chapters
Timeless Catholic spiritual guide demonstrating that universal holiness and authentic devotion are attainable in every vocation and state of life in the world.
By John Foxe • 1 Chapters
Historical chronicle of Christian martyrdoms beginning with St. Stephen and the Twelve Apostles through the ten Roman imperial persecutions.
By John Bunyan • 1 Chapters
Classic Christian allegory tracing the spiritual journey of Christian from the City of Destruction through the Cross, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and Vanity Fair to the Celestial City.
By Archbishop James Ussher • 24 Chapters
Monumental chronological history of the ancient world and Sacred Scripture from Creation through the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, integrating Biblical narrative with Greek, Roman, Babylonian, Persian, and Egyptian chronicles.
By St. Thomas Aquinas
Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more, See, Lord, at Thy service low lies here a heart Lost, all lost in wonder at the God Thou art. Seeing, touching, tasting are in Thee deceived: How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed; What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do; Truth Himself speaks truly or there's nothing true. On the Cross Thy Godhead made no sign to men, Here Thy very manhood steals from human ken: Both are my confession, both are my belief, And I pray the prayer of the dying thief. I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see, But can plainly call Thee Lord and God as he; Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move, Daily make me harder hope and dearer love. Jesus, whom I look at shrouded here below, I beseech Thee send me what I thirst for so, Some day to gaze on Thee face to face in light And be blest forever with Thy glory's sight. Amen.
By St. Thomas Aquinas
Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory, of His Flesh the mystery sing; Of the Blood, all price exceeding, shed by our immortal King, Destined, for the world's redemption, from a noble womb to spring. On the night of that Last Supper, seated with His chosen band, He, the Paschal remedial Victim, first fulfills the Law's command; Then as Food to all His brethren gives Himself with His own hand. Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature by His Word to Flesh He turns; Wine into His Blood He changes: what though sense no change discerns? Only be the heart in earnest, faith her lesson quickly learns. Down in adoration falling, lo! the sacred Host we hail, Lo! o'er ancient forms departing newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, and the Son Who reigns on high With the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from Each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, might and endless majesty. Amen.
By Rabanus Maurus
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, Vouchsafe within our souls to rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid And fill the hearts which Thou hast made. To Thee, the Comforter, we cry, To Thee, the Gift of God most high, The Fount of life, the Fire of love, The soul's Anointing from above. O Finger of the hand divine, The sevenfold gifts of grace are Thine; True Promise of the Father Thou, Who dost the tongue with speech endow. Thy light to every sense impart, And shed Thy love in every heart; Thine own unfailing strength supply To support the frail infirmity. Praise be to Thee, Father and Son, And Holy Spirit, with Them one; And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow. Amen.
By Bl. Hermann of Reichenau (Hermann Contractus)
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria! Hail, Mother of mercy and of love, O Maria! Triumph, all ye Cherubim; sing with us, ye Seraphim! Heaven and earth resound the hymn: Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina! Our life, our sweetness here below, O Maria! Our hope in sorrow and in woe, O Maria! To thee we cry, poor sons of Eve, to thee we sigh, we mourn, we grieve, This vale of tears at last to leave: Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina! Turn then, most gracious Advocate, O Maria! Toward us thine eyes compassionate, O Maria! And show to us the glorious fruit of thy pure womb, O Virgin blest, Sweet Jesus, Lord and our eternal Rest: Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina!
By Jacopone da Todi (or Pope Innocent III)
At the Cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last: Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword had passed. O how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother highly blest Of the sole-begotten One! Christ above in torment hangs; She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying, glorious Son. Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld her tender Child All with bloody scourges rent; For the sins of His own nation Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent. Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt With the love of Christ my Lord.
By St. Nicetas of Remesiana / Ignaz Franz / Clarence A. Walworth
Holy God, we praise Thy Name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee! All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in Heaven above adore Thee; Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is Thy reign. Hark! the loud celestial hymn Angel choirs above are raising, Cherubim and seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising; Fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy, Lord! Lo! the apostolic train Join the sacred Name to hallow; Prophets swell the loud refrain, And the white-robed martyrs follow; And from morn to set of sun, Through the Church the song goes on. Holy Father, Holy Son, Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee; While in essence only One, Undivided God we claim Thee; And adoring bend the knee, While we own the mystery.
By Latin O Antiphons (Trans. John Mason Neale)
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny; From depths of hell Thy people save, And give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
By Fr. Joseph Mohr
Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
By John Francis Wade (Trans. Frederick Oakeley)
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold Him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! God of God, Light of Light, Lo! He abhors not the Virgin's womb; Very God, begotten, not created; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God in the highest; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
By St. Bernard of Clairvaux / Paul Gerhardt
O Sacred Head, surrounded by crown of piercing thorn! O bleeding Head, so wounded, reviled and put to scorn! Death's pallid hue comes o'er Thee, the glow of life decays, Yet angel hosts adore Thee, and tremble as they gaze. I see Thy strength and vigor all fading in the strife, And death with cruel rigor, bereaving Thee of life; O agony and dying! O love to sinners free! Jesus, all grace supplying, O turn Thy face on me. In this Thy bitter passion, Good Shepherd, think of me With Thy most sweet compassion, unworthy though I be: Beneath Thy Cross abiding forever would I rest, In Thy dear love confiding, and with Thy presence blest.
By 14th-Century Latin Carol / Charles Wesley
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the Cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia! Who endured the Cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia! But the pains which He endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia! Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia! Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia! Praise Him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
By Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring
Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne. Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee, And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity. Crown Him the Virgin's Son, the God incarnate born, Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn; Fruit of the mystic Rose, as of that Rose the Stem, The Root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem. Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave, And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save; His glories now we sing who died and rose on high, Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.