Apostles Creed Prayer
What is the Apostles' Creed Prayer?
The Apostles’ Creed prayer is the traditional opening prayer of every Catholic Rosary — a brief, ancient confession of the Christian faith prayed on the crucifix before the first mystery. This page gives the full prayer in English and Latin, a line-by-line meaning, and the reasons the Church places it at the very start of the Rosary.
The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Jesus with Mary. The Apostles’ Creed is the Church’s simple, strong confession of who God is, what Christ has done, and what the believer hopes for. It sets the heart in the right place. It reminds the soul that Marian devotion never floats away from Christ. It leads straight into Him.
A Catholic who prays the Apostles’ Creed before the first mystery is, in a quiet way, saying: “This is the faith that guides the mind as it enters these scenes of salvation.”
The Apostles' Creed (Full Text)
The Apostles' Creed in English
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 Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified,
dead,
and buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
The Apostles' Creed in Latin
Credo in Deum,
Patrem omnipotentem,
Creatorem caeli et terrae.
Et in Iesum Christum,
Filium eius unicum,
Dominum nostrum,
qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto,
natus ex Maria Virgine,
passus sub Pontio Pilato,
crucifixus,
mortuus,
et sepultus,
descendit ad inferos,
tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos,
sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis,
inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum,
sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam,
sanctorum communionem,
remissionem peccatorum,
carnis resurrectionem,
vitam aeternam.
Amen.
What the Apostles’ Creed Proclaims
The Creed is a compact proclamation of the Gospel. It tells the story of salvation in a form that can be prayed, memorized, and lived. It speaks of the Father who creates, the Son who redeems, and the Holy Ghost who sanctifies. It also professes the Church, the forgiveness of sins, and the hope of eternal life.
In this way, it is both a prayer and a map. It gives a believer the main truths that shape Christian life and guards the heart against a faith that becomes vague.
Biblical Foundations
God the Father Is Almighty and Creator
The Creed’s opening confession echoes the first words of Scripture: “In the beginning God created heaven, and earth” (Gen 1:1, Douay-Rheims). It also reflects the biblical witness that God creates by His word and sustains all things in His power (Ps 32:6; Heb 11:3). The Catechism gathers and explains this faith under the first article of the Creed, especially in its teaching on God the Father and creation (CCC 198–231; CCC 279–301).
Jesus Christ Is the Only Son and Lord
When the Creed professes faith “in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord,” it echoes the Gospel proclamation of Christ’s unique sonship and divine authority: “For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son” (Jn 3:16) and the apostolic confession that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:9–11). The Catechism explains this confession within the second article of the Creed, treating who Christ is and why His lordship matters for salvation (CCC 422–451).
The Incarnation Is the Work of the Holy Ghost, and Mary Is Truly Virgin and Mother
The Creed’s words about Christ being “conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary” directly reflect the Annunciation and the infancy narratives: the Holy Ghost overshadows Mary, and the Son of God takes flesh in her virginal womb (Lk 1:26–35; Mt 1:18–25; Jn 1:14). The Catechism presents these truths as essential to Catholic faith, especially in its teaching on the Incarnation and Mary’s divine motherhood and virginity (CCC 456–463; CCC 484–507).
The Passion and Resurrection Are the Center of Salvation History
The Creed’s lines on Christ’s suffering, death, burial, and rising again rest on the apostolic kerygma: “Christ died for our sins… and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Cor 15:3–4). The Gospels proclaim this same heart of the faith as the fulfillment of God’s saving plan (Lk 24:46–48). The Catechism treats the Passion and Resurrection as the central saving mysteries that restore mankind to the Father (CCC 571–658).
Christ Reigns in Glory and Will Return to Judge the Living and the Dead
The Creed’s confession of Christ’s Ascension, kingship, and future judgment reflects Scripture’s teaching that the risen Lord was taken up into heaven and will come again in glory (Acts 1:9–11; Mt 25:31–46). This is not a distant threat but a sober and hopeful truth: Christ reigns now and will reveal His justice and mercy at the end of time. The Catechism develops this faith in its treatment of the Ascension, Christ’s present reign, and the final judgment (CCC 659–667; CCC 668–682).
The Holy Ghost Gives Life to the Church
The Creed’s faith in the Holy Ghost and the Church is rooted in Pentecost and the Spirit’s ongoing work in the Body of Christ (Acts 2:1–4; 1 Cor 12:4–13). The Spirit unites, sanctifies, and strengthens believers so that the Church may live and teach the Gospel in every age. The Catechism presents the Holy Ghost as the principal agent of the Church’s life and mission (CCC 683–747; CCC 797–801).
God Forgives Sins and Raises the Body
The Creed’s final affirmations rest on Christ’s own words and promises: He gives the apostles authority to forgive sins (Jn 20:22–23), and He declares that the dead will rise (Jn 5:28–29). Saint Paul’s teaching on the resurrection of the body gives this hope a clear, joyful foundation (1 Cor 15:20–22, 42–44; Rom 8:11). The Catechism gathers these truths in its teaching on forgiveness, the communion of saints, and the resurrection of the body (CCC 976–987; CCC 988–1019).
Historical Origins
The Apostles’ Creed is closely tied to the early Church’s baptismal life. From the first centuries, Christians learned a “rule of faith” that summarized the essentials of belief. This summary was taught to catechumens and confessed at Baptism. Over time, it took a stable form that the Church recognized and handed on.
That history matters because the Creed is not only a statement of doctrine. It is also a reminder that the Christian life begins with a gift: God claims the believer, and the believer answers with faith.
What many Catholics never learn is that the Creed did not begin as the smooth “I believe…” we pray today. Its oldest form was a set of questions. At the font, the candidate was asked three times — “Do you believe in God the Father almighty? Do you believe in Christ Jesus, His Son? Do you believe in the Holy Ghost?” — and answered “Credo,” “I believe”, before each immersion. The declarative text we now recite grew directly out of those baptismal questions, and the Church has never let go of that root: the same threefold “Do you believe…?” is still asked in the Rite of Baptism and renewed by the whole congregation each Easter.
The prayer’s direct ancestor is the Old Roman Symbol, a short summary of the faith used at Rome, which slowly expanded into the wording we know by about the eighth century. And despite the old and charming legend that the twelve Apostles each contributed one article on the day of Pentecost, the Creed was not written by their hands. It carries their name for a truer reason: it faithfully hands on the faith they preached.
The Apostles’ Creed in the Life of the Church
The Church uses the Creed as a teaching tool and a daily prayer. It is a guardrail for the mind and a comfort for the heart. When confusion rises in the culture, the Creed stays clear. When a Catholic feels weak, the Creed offers a simple return to first truths.
It also teaches that faith is not a private invention. It is received. A Catholic believes with the Church, not apart from her.
The Apostles’ Creed Prayer in the Rosary
The opening prayers of the Rosary prepare the soul for contemplation. The Sign of the Cross marks the believer with Christ. The Apostles’ Creed declares the faith of the Church. The Our Father turns the heart to the Father. The Hail Mary honors the woman through whom the Word was made flesh. The Glory Be lifts the mind to the Trinity.
So the Apostles’ Creed prayer is a fitting beginning for a prayer that is entirely Christ-centered. It is the first step into the mysteries because it names the truths the mysteries reveal. To pray the full Rosary from beginning to end, see the How to Pray the Rosary guide.
How to Pray the Apostles' Creed
The Apostles’ Creed is prayed at the very start of the Rosary, while holding the crucifix, before the first Our Father. There is no special gesture or formula to learn — the Creed is simply spoken, slowly and with attention, as a deliberate act of faith. Pray it as a confession, not a recitation: let each line land. Many Catholics make the Sign of the Cross first, then pray the Creed on the crucifix, then move to the first large bead for the Our Father.
When to Pray the Apostles' Creed
The Creed may be prayed at any time, but it is especially fitting in a few moments. At the opening of the Rosary, it sets the heart on Christ before the mysteries begin. Because the Apostles’ Creed grew out of the Church’s ancient baptismal profession of faith, praying it is also a quiet renewal of the vows made at Baptism — a return to the same “I believe” first spoken at the font. During Lent this renewal becomes especially clear, as the faithful prepare to renew their baptismal promises at Easter. In times of doubt or trial, it returns the soul to what is certain. And in daily personal prayer, it serves as a simple morning act of faith. In every case the Creed does the same work: it names the truths the rest of prayer rests on.
Line by Line Meaning
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.”
This line confesses a personal faith in God who is Father, not a distant force. His power is loving authority. He made all things and holds them in His providence.
“And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord.”
Jesus is the eternal Son, not one teacher among many. He is Lord. The believer belongs to Him.
“Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,”
This is the mystery of the Incarnation. The Son of God took real flesh. Mary is truly Virgin and truly Mother.
“Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried:”
The Creed anchors redemption in real history. Jesus truly suffered and truly died for sinners.
“He descended into hell;”
Here “hell” does not mean the hell of the damned, but the realm of the dead — the abode of the just who died before Christ. This line proclaims His victory reaching even there, opening heaven to the holy souls who awaited the Redeemer.
“the third day He rose again from the dead;”
The Resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope.
“He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:”
Christ reigns in glory and intercedes for His people.
“From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.”
This line calls the soul to sobriety and hope. God’s justice will be revealed, and mercy will be honored.
“I believe in the Holy Ghost,”
The Holy Ghost is a divine Person who sanctifies and strengthens the faithful.
“The holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints,”
God saves a people. The Church is Christ’s Body, and the faithful are united across heaven, earth, and purgatory.
“The forgiveness of sins,”
Forgiveness is real in Christ and poured out through His sacraments, especially Baptism and Confession.
“The resurrection of the body,”
Christian hope is the redemption of the whole person, not a flight from the body.
“And life everlasting. Amen.”
The Creed ends with the hope of heaven and the final victory of grace.
The Apostles’ Creed is a humble doorway into the Rosary. It is the Church’s ancient confession placed on the lips of ordinary believers. It keeps Marian prayer firmly Christ-centered and gives the soul a clear path into the mysteries of salvation.
A Catholic who begins the Rosary with the Creed begins with Christ. And that is exactly where Mary always leads.
To explore the full Rosary — its prayers, mysteries, and daily devotion — visit The Holy Rosary guide.
If you want to see where this prayer can lead, read how the Rosary and the Creed carried one man through addiction, a widow-maker heart attack, and home to the Catholic faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Apostles’ Creed is a short summary of the main truths of the Christian faith: who God is, who Jesus Christ is, what He has done for our salvation, and what the Church believes about the Holy Spirit, the Church, forgiveness, Resurrection, and eternal life. It grew out of the early Church’s baptismal profession of faith and is now used in catechesis, personal prayer, and at the beginning of the Rosary.
The Rosary uses the Apostles’ Creed because it is the ancient baptismal profession of faith, shorter, easier to memorize, and well-suited to personal and family prayer. The Church sees it as a simple, complete summary of what the apostles handed on (CCC 194–196). The Nicene Creed, which is longer and more precise on certain doctrines, is normally used in the liturgy, especially at Sunday Mass. In the Rosary, the Apostles’ Creed lets people of all ages and levels of learning begin with a clear “I believe” before entering the mysteries with Mary.
The Creed is one whole act of faith; a Catholic is called to accept every article, not only the parts that feel easy (CCC 1814). At the same time, many people come with questions or struggles. If someone does not yet understand a line, but honestly wants to believe what the Church teaches, they may still pray the Rosary and quietly ask God for light. What a person should not do is deny an article while saying it. The best stance is humble: “Lord, I may not see this clearly, but I choose to trust what You teach through Your Church.”
Yes. Any baptized Christian who can honestly say the words of the Apostles’ Creed may pray it with the Rosary, even if they are not yet Catholic. The Creed itself is the ancient confession of basic Christian faith in the Trinity, in Christ’s saving work, in the Church, and in eternal life. If a non-Catholic is not sure about a line, they should not lie to God, but they may listen in silence, or say quietly, “Lord, if this is true, show me.” The Rosary has often been a gentle bridge that leads people toward deeper faith and, in some cases, toward full communion with the Church.
First, do not panic or pretend. Many sincere Catholics have questions about parts of the Creed. The right response is honesty and humility. Tell God plainly, “Lord, I want to believe what You teach. Help me with this line.” Then seek light: read the Catechism passage on that article, ask a good priest or catechist, and bring it to confession or spiritual direction if needed. There is a difference between saying, “I refuse to believe this,” and “I do not yet understand, but I am willing.” The second is already an act of faith and trust.
The main difference is length and setting. The Apostles' Creed is the shorter, older baptismal creed — twelve brief articles, easy to memorize, used in personal prayer, family prayer, and at the start of the Rosary. The Nicene Creed is longer and more doctrinally precise, especially on the divinity of Christ, and is prayed in the liturgy, particularly at Sunday Mass. Both profess the same faith; they simply serve different moments. In the Rosary the Church chooses the Apostles' Creed so people of every age can begin with a clear "I believe" before entering the mysteries with Mary (CCC 194–196).
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Charles Rogers is a resident of South Carolina and a retired computer programmer by trade. Raised in various Christian denominations, he came to faith in Jesus Christ early in life. In 2012, he began experiencing authentic spiritual encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary, which led him on a seven-year journey at her hands, that included alcohol addiction, a widow maker heart attack and death and conversion to the Catholic Faith. He is the exclusive author and owner of Two Percent Survival, a website dedicated to and created in honor of the Holy Mother. Feel free to email Charles at twopercentsurvival@gmail.com.
May Our Lady of the Rosary lead you deeper into the grace you have been given. Pray always, and trust the mercy of God while the door remains open.
— Two Percent Survival