Q & A Catechism > Part 17 – How Can We Summarize What Faith Is?

Q: How can we summarize what faith is?
A: * Faith is…a personal adherence of the whole man to God who reveals himself. It involves an assent of the intellect and will to the self-revelation God has made through his deeds and words.
* “To believe” has thus a twofold reference: to the person, and to the truth: to the truth, by trust in the person who bears witness to it.
* We must believe in no one but God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
* Faith is a supernatural gift from God. In order to believe, man needs the interior helps of the Holy Spirit.
* “Believing” is a human act, conscious and free, corresponding to the dignity of the human person.
* “Believing” is an ecclesial (church) act. The Church’s faith precedes, engenders, supports, and nourishes our faith. The Church is the mother of all believers. “No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother” (St. Cyprian, De unit. 6: PL (Patrologia Latina – Latin Patrology/Fathers) 4, 519).
* We believe all “that which is contained in the word of God, written or handed down, and which the Church proposes for belief as divinely revealed” ((Pope) Paul VI, CPG (Solemn Profession of Faith: Credo of The People of God) # 20).
* Faith is necessary for salvation. The Lord himself affirms: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (⇒ Mk 16:16).
* “Faith is a foretaste of the knowledge that will make us blessed in the life to come” (St. Thomas Aquinas. Comp. Theol. (Theology Compendium) 1, 2).

Source: Catechism #s 176-184

What’s Next? The Creed! Stay tuned…

Further Faith Reading Recommendations:
1. The Interpretation of the Heritage of Faith – Catechism #s 84-95
2. The Obedience of Faith – Catechism #s 144-149
3. “I Know Whom I Have Loved” – Catechism #s 150-152
4. Lord Look Upon The Faith of Your Church – Catechism #s 168-169
5. The Language of Faith – Catechism #s 170-171
6. Only One in Faith – Catechism #s 172-175

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan