Mystery of the Church — Una, Sancta, Catholica et Apostolica

The Church is the mystery of the assembly of those whom Christ has gathered around himself to be his Mystical Body, his Bride, his pilgrim people on earth. The Council of Constantinople I (381) added to the Creed of Nicaea (325) the formula which the Church recites every Sunday throughout the world at Mass: Credo in unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam — I believe in the Church, one, holy, catholic and apostolic. The four marks distinguish the true Church of Christ from every human imitation and have always been the object of the reflection of the Fathers. St Ignatius of Antioch († c. 107) was the first to use the word katholiké applied to the Church (Letter to the Smyrnaeans 8,2). St Cyprian of Carthage († 258) formulated in De Unitate Ecclesiae the axiom Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus — outside the Church there is no salvation — understood in its correct interpretation as referring to one who culpably rejects the Church of Christ. St Augustine of Hippo († 430) devoted Sermons 267-272 to explaining the Church as the Body of Christ. Each of the four marks has unquestioned biblical foundation: Unity in Jn 17:21 and Eph 4:4-6; Holiness in Eph 5:25-27; Catholicity in Mt 28:19; Apostolicity in Apoc 21:14 and Eph 2:20. This prayer meditates the mystery in four movements, one for each mark, complementing the prayers For the Church (3k) and for the Sacraments (3m).

I believe, O Lord Jesus Christ, in the One Church which you founded upon Peter as upon a rock (Mt 16:18), and for which you prayed to the Father that it might be one — ut omnes unum sint (Jn 17:21). One Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all (Eph 4:5-6). Grant me to love the unity which the Holy Spirit accomplishes in the one Body of Christ, to flee from every personal division, and to participate sincerely in the Movement for the Unity of Christians.

I believe in the Holy Church which you purified by your blood, delivering yourself for her that you might sanctify her, cleansing her by the laver of water in the word (Eph 5:25-26). Holiness lies not in her sinful members — all of us are sinners — but in you who are the Head, in the Spirit who animates her, in the Sacraments which communicate grace, in the Word which teaches truth, in the crown of saints which she continues to bring forth until the end of ages. Grant me to be part of this crown and to help sanctify the Church with personal holiness which from you proceeds.

I believe in the Catholic Church — universal —, sent to all nations to make disciples, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever you have commanded us (Mt 28:19-20). Katholiké because it possesses the integrity of the revealed truth, because it calls all men without distinction of race, language or culture, and because it is spread throughout the whole face of the earth. Grant me passion for the proclamation of the Gospel and daily prayer for missionaries (cf. For the Church 3k.4).

I believe in the Apostolic Church, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ himself as the cornerstone (Eph 2:20), having twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Apoc 21:14). Apostolic because it guards intact the faith received from the Apostles through uninterrupted succession of the Bishops with the Supreme Pontiff — successor of Peter — and by them lawfully sent (cf. For the Church 3k.1). Grant me filial docility to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff and the Bishops in communion with him.

One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic — immaculate Bride of the Lamb, Mother of the faithful, Hierusalem caelestis quae descendit de caelo — sustain me as your child from Baptism until the last hour, that persevering in you I may reach the heavenly Jerusalem, where you are eternally glorified with Christ your Bridegroom and the Holy Spirit. Amen.