"Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything. The Credo begins with God the Father, for the Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity; our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth, for creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works."
---the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 198---
Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
An adult can join the Catholic Church through a process referred to as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (“RCIA”). At St. Maria Goretti, this process typically begins each August, and concludes with Mystagogy in May, after individuals are baptized and/or confirmed into full communion with the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil.
There are several steps in the RCIA process. These steps include:
Precatecumenate: This stage is also referred to as the Period of Inquiry. It is a time in which individuals can learn more about the Catholic faith, while discerning God’s call.
Rite of Acceptance: After the necessary time is spent inquiring about the faith and an individual makes a decision to join the Catholic faith, they state before the parish community that they want to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church and receives the parish’s affirmation. Once completed, they become a Catechumen.
Period of Catechumenate: During this stage, Catechumens receive formation in the Catholic faith. It is the longest stage in the process.
Rite of Election: Once the pastor and parish community believe the Catechumen is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus and the Catholic Church, they are chosen by the bishop to receive the Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the bishop. Once completed, they are called the Elect.
Sacraments of Initiation: At the Easter vigil, the Elect receive the Sacraments of Initiation, which include Baptism (if not already baptized), Confirmation, and the Eucharist. It is at this time that one enters fully into communion with the Catholic Church.
Mystagogy: After becoming a newly initiated Catholic, formation continues in this period, at which time there continues to be learning about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church, as well as how they will serve Christ and help in the Church's mission.