United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

138 • Part I. The Creed: The Faith Professed

DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS • The four Marks of the Church—that she is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic—are inseparably linked to each other, and all are essential to the Church’s mission and pursuit of holiness. • The Church is one. She professes “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph 4:5). This unity, sustained by the Holy Spirit, includes a diver sity of gifts, talents, cultures, and rites. • The Church is holy. Jesus, the founder, is holy and makes his holi ness available through his death and Resurrection. The Holy Spirit imparts holiness to us, especially through the Sacraments. The Church’s holiness shines in the saints, and most especially in the Blessed Virgin Mary. • The Church is catholic. The word catholic means universal. All the means of salvation are found in the Church. The Church has the fullness of the faith, the Sacraments, and apostolic succession. Jesus commissions us to bring the Gospel to all peoples at all times; hence the Church is “by its very nature missionary” (Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity [ Ad Gentes Divinitus ; AG], no. 2). • The Church is apostolic. Jesus willed to build the Church on the foundation of the Apostles. The Church hands on the teaching of the Apostles through all generations. Christ shepherds the Church through Peter and the other Apostles, whose successors are the Pope and the college of bishops. • Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles chose bishops to succeed them. Helped by the priests and deacons, the bishops teach the faith; celebrate the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist; and guide the Church. Their responsibility includes concern for all the Churches in union with the Pope. • God calls lay people to witness and share their faith in the midst of the world. By their Baptism they share in Christ’s priesthood and are sealed by the Spirit. They are thus called to holiness, to a prophetic witness in the world, and to a kingly resolve to sanctify the world by their words and deeds.