Week 22: Liturgy of the Word: Profession of Faith

By Archbishop Michael Jackels

Witness Publisher

After the homily, everyone stands to recite the Profession of Faith, using either the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed (composed at the Council of Nicea held in 325 AD).

The Creed is a statement about what Christians believe. It is recited to express, affirm, and strengthen personal faith, as well as the bond with the community of believers, the Church.

It is also recited as a sort of preparation for the Eucharistic Prayer, which serves to glorify God and to celebrate the mysteries of God mentioned in the Creed.

When the Creed mentions God becoming man, born of the Virgin Mary, we bow at the waist as a sign of reverence. And on March 25, when we celebrate the actual conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and on December 25, Christmas day, celebrating Jesus’ birth, we genuflect instead of bow, again, as a sign of reverence.