The Dogmas of the Catholic Church with
Short explanations

I. God the Creator

A. God’s Existence and Nature
God exists. He is the living source of all that is.
Human reason can know God exists. Creation reveals Him.
God is eternal. He has no beginning or end.
God is spiritual. He is pure spirit without a body.
God is one. There is only one God.
God is unique. Nothing else is equal to Him.
God is simple. Not made of parts; perfectly one.
God is personal. He knows, loves, and communicates.
God is perfect. He lacks nothing good.
God is unchanging. His nature cannot change.
God is all-knowing. He knows all things fully.
God is all-powerful. His power is unlimited.
God is everywhere. He is present to all creation.
God is supremely holy. His goodness is absolute.
God is just. He rewards good and punishes evil perfectly.
God is infinitely merciful. He always desires to save us.
God is love. His very nature is loving communion.

B. The Holy Trinity
God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God in three Persons.
Each Divine Person is fully God. Not parts of God.
The Persons are truly distinct. Not just modes or roles.
The Father is unbegotten. Source of the Son and Spirit.
The Son is eternally begotten of the Father. Not created.
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. One shared love.
The Trinity acts as one in creation, redemption, and sanctification.

II. Creation and the Fall

A. Creation
God created the world from nothing. Free and loving act.
God created time. He exists beyond it.
God sustains creation. Keeps everything in being.
Angels exist. Pure spiritual creatures who serve God.
Some angels sinned. They freely rejected God and became demons.
The Devil is real. A fallen angel who opposes God.
Humans are created in God’s image. With intellect, will, and dignity.
God created every human soul. It is immortal.
Adam and Eve were created in original holiness. Harmonious with God and creation.

B. The Fall
Adam sinned and lost original holiness. The first sin wounded creation.
Original sin is inherited.  Passed to all human beings at conception.
Human nature is fallen but still good. Wounded, not destroyed.
Concupiscence remains after Baptism.  Inclining us to sin.

III. Jesus Christ: True God and True Man

A. The Person of Christ
Jesus Christ is true God and true man. Fully divine, fully human.
Jesus has two natures: divine and human. United without confusion.
Jesus is one divine Person. The Eternal Son.
Christ’s human nature has no human personhood apart from the Divine Person.
Jesus possesses a real human soul and body.
Jesus’ human will obeys His divine will perfectly.
Jesus’ human knowledge was infused and perfect.
Jesus is our one Lord and Mediator with the Father.

IV. The Work of Redemption
By His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus redeemed humanity.
Jesus died freely out of love for us.
Jesus descended among the dead to proclaim salvation.
Jesus rose from the dead in His glorified body.
Jesus ascended into Heaven and reigns as King.
Jesus will return in glory to judge all people.
Jesus is the only Savior of the world.
Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

V. The Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary is the Mother of God (Theotokos).
Mary conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by man.
Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after Jesus’ birth.
Mary was preserved from original sin from the first moment of conception (Immaculate Conception).
Mary committed no personal sin throughout her life.
Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven at the end of her earthly life.
Mary is the spiritual mother of all the faithful.
Mary intercedes powerfully for us.

VI. The Paschal Mystery
Christ merited grace for every human person.
Salvation is a free gift of God through Jesus Christ.
Christ is truly alive and present in His Church.

VII. The Church

A. Nature and Foundations of the Church
Christ founded the Church.
The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
The Church is visible and hierarchical.
The Church is guided and protected by the Holy Spirit.
The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
The Church is necessary for salvation.
The Pope is the successor of Peter with supreme authority.
Papal infallibility applies when the Pope teaches ex cathedra on faith or morals.
Bishops are successors of the Apostles.
Apostolic succession transmits authority through Holy Orders.
The Church cannot fall away from the truth (indefectibility).
The faithful must remain united to the Pope and bishops.

VIII. Communion of Saints
The faithful on earth, souls in purgatory, and saints in heaven are united in one communion.
Saints can intercede for the living.
The faithful may venerate saints and relics.
Mary has unique intercessory power as Queen of Saints.

IX. Grace and Justification
Sanctifying grace is God’s life in the soul.
Grace is necessary for salvation.
We cannot earn salvation; grace is a gift.
Good works done in God’s grace are meritorious.
Free will cooperates with grace in salvation.
Mortal sin destroys sanctifying grace in the soul.
Venial sin wounds but does not destroy grace.
Actual grace helps us choose the good in each moment.

X. The Sacraments
Christ instituted seven sacraments.
Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato (by Christ’s power, not our worthiness).
Sacramental character is a permanent spiritual mark in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.
The sacraments are necessary for salvation (at least in desire).

A. Baptism
Baptism removes original sin and all personal sin.
Baptism is necessary for salvation.
Anyone may baptize in necessity with proper intent.

B. Confirmation
Confirmation completes baptismal grace.
The Holy Spirit strengthens us to witness Christ.

C. The Eucharist
The Eucharist is the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.
Transubstantiation: the substance of bread and wine becomes Christ Himself.
 Mass is a true sacrifice, making present the one sacrifice of Calvary.

D. Penance (Reconciliation)
 Penance gives forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism.
 Priests alone can absolve sins sacramentally.

E. Anointing of the Sick
 Gives grace for strength, healing, and preparation for eternal life.

F. Holy Orders
 Bishops, priests, and deacons receive a sacramental character.
 Only a validly ordained bishop can ordain.
 Only baptized men can be ordained validly.

G. Matrimony
 Marriage is a sacred covenant and indissoluble.
 Marriage between baptized persons is a sacrament that gives grace.

XI. Last Things (Eschatology)

A. Death and Judgment
 Each person dies only once.
 At death, the soul is separated from the body.
 Every person undergoes a Particular Judgment at death.
 At judgment, a soul goes immediately to Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell.

B. Heaven
 Heaven exists as the eternal life of perfect union with God.
 The souls of the just who are perfectly purified see God face to face (Beatific Vision).
 In Heaven, the saved enjoy everlasting joy and glory.

C. Hell
 Hell exists as the eternal separation from God.
 The punishment of Hell lasts forever.
 God does not predestine anyone to Hell. It is freely chosen through unrepentant mortal sin.

D. Purgatory
 Purgatory exists as a state of purification for the saved not yet fully holy.
 Souls in purgatory can be helped by the prayers of the faithful and the Mass.

E. Resurrection of the Dead
 At the end of time, Christ will return in glory.
 The dead will rise again with the same bodies united to their souls.
 The resurrection will transform the bodies of the faithful into glory.

F. Final Judgment and the New Creation
 A Final Judgment will occur for all humanity.
 Christ will judge all people publicly.
 The Kingdom of God will reach its fulfillment.
 The faithful will enjoy the new Heaven and the new Earth forever.

👉 Catechism of the Catholic Church

Justice and Mercy Kiss: The God Who Balances What We Cannot

When the World Feels Chaotic: The Consoling Power of an Unchanging God

More Than a Cosmic Force: Why It Matters That God Is Personal

The Dogmas of the Catholic Church with Short explanations