Why is there a different Creed sometimes used at Mass now? ver since 1973, permission has been at Masses with Children. granted to use an alternative form of the E“Symbol,” that is, the Profession of Faith, at The revised 2002 Roman Missal now gives gen- Masses with Children (Directory for Masses with eral permission to make use of the “baptismal Children, n. 49), instead of the Nicene Creed. symbol of the Roman Church, the so-called The alternative form is what is commonly called Symbol of the Apostles” in place of the Nicene the “Apostles’ Creed,” a formula that is used to Creed. It also notes that this is appropriate “es- begin the Marian Rosary, but is also used in a pecially during the Season of Lent and the Sea- question and answer format at the Rite of Bap- son of Easter.” Nevertheless, the use of the Apos- tism and in the renewal of baptismal promises tles’ Creed is in no way prohibited at other times, at Confirmation and on Easter. The Nicene whenever a profession of faith is prescribed by Creed is a longer text and is a form widely used the rubrics. The Roman Church has had a long throughout the various Christian Churches of tradition of two forms of a profession of faith be- East and West, Catholic and non-Catholic. The ing regularly used in a form during various litur- Apostles’ Creed is known primarily in the West- gical rites. The Apostles’ Creed has traditionally ern, Roman tradition. been associated with baptism, and the Nicene Creed has traditionally been associated with the Because the Apostles’ Creed is often used in cat- Eucharist. Now, at Mass, the community is free The revised echesis of children and is part of the rite of bap- to choose either form for use on Sundays and tism of adults, several countries, including Cana- other major feasts. Roman Missal da, received permission from Rome years ago to make use of the Apostles’ Creed at all Masses in © 2002, Dennis C. Smolarski SJ, Used with permission. now gives gen- which the Creed is prescribed, rather than only eral permission to make use of I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. the “baptismal symbol of the -Ro I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit man Church, the and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, so-called Symbol was crucified, died, and was buried. of the Apostles” He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. in place of the He ascended into heaven The Apostles Creed The Apostles and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Nicene Creed. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Office of Liturgy Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Through himallthingswere made. withtheFather. oneinBeing begotten, notmade, from true God true God, from God God, Lightfrom Light, eternally begotten oftheFather, ofGod, theonly Son We believe inoneLord, JesusChrist, ofallthatisseenandunseen. Maker ofheaven andearth, theFather, theAlmighty We believe inoneGod, We for look the resurrection ofthedead, We acknowledge onebaptismfor theforgiveness ofsins. We believe inoneholy catholic andapostolic Church. spoken He has through theProphets. With theFather heisworshipped andtheSon andglorified. whoproceeds from theFather and theSon We believe intheHoly Spirit, theLord, theGiver ofLife, He willcome to judgethelivinganddead, againinglory heascended into heaven thethird On day herose again hesuffered, died, and buried.was For oursake hewas crucified under Pontius Pilate; hewas born oftheVirgin Mary, andbecame man. (bow) hecame down from heaven: For usmenandfor oursalvation The Nicene Creed by thepower oftheHoly Spirit and thelife oftheworld to come. Amen. willhaveand hiskingdom noend and isseated attheright handoftheFather. Scriptures;in fulfillmentofthe (Genuflect on andtheAnnunciationChristmas ofthe Lord)