Why Do We Say, "I Believe" Instead of "We Believe"? Understanding the Creed (The Inner Life with Patrick Conley)

In this episode of The Inner Life, host Patrick Conley teams up with Fr. John Paul Erickson to dive deep into the Nicene Creed—the bold proclamation of faith we say every time at Mass. This is part one of a special three-day series where they explore what it really means to say "I believe" as Catholics.

 

Check out the first part here, the second part here, and the third part here!

 

One fascinating point that you'll hear about is the 2011 retranslation of the Creed, where the phrase changed from "we believe" to "I believe." While it may seem like a shift toward individualism, Fr. Erickson flips that assumption on its head. The Latin word "credo" literally means "I believe," and while this brings a personal element to the Creed, it's not about isolated faith. Instead, it highlights something even more profound: the communal body of the Church. 

 

When we say, "I believe", it's not just about our personal conviction—it’s about the Church as a whole. We're tapping into the faith of the Church, which has existed for millennia, and we're aligning ourselves with the belief of the whole Bride of Christ. 🙏

 

Fr. Erickson also mentions the communal nature of faith. As Catholics, we're not just a collection of individuals with private relationships with God. We're a body—the Body of Christ—and everything we do, good or bad, impacts the whole. 💒🌍 It’s a reminder that our faith isn’t just “me and Jesus”—it’s "we and Jesus."

 

Patrick even admits that before this conversation, he was a bit worried the 2011 change took away the communal aspect, but Fr. Erickson’s insights opened his eyes to a deeper truth. 

 

So, the next time you're at Mass and say "I believe," remember that you’re standing with the entire Church—past, present, and future—affirming our faith together. "Credo in unum Deum"—I believe in one God.

 

 

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