The Tridentine Profession of Faith

One of the great works of the Council of Trent was to produce the Tridentine Profession of Faith, a statement of the Creed that clearly articulates the perennial Faith in the face of the revolutionary doctrines of the Protestant so-called “Reformers.” Its tone is what would be called today (usually disparagingly) “triumphalist.”

To some of us, that is a good thing.

There is a Catholic online source — Thesaurus Precum Latinarum — that reproduces this profession in Latin and English.

After reiterating the Nicene Creed, the Tridentine Profession goes on to affirm the chief points of doctrine denied by the Protestants. Then it concludes with this paragraph:

This true Catholic faith, outside of which no one can be saved, which I now freely profess and to which I truly adhere, I do so profess and swear to maintain inviolate and with firm constancy with the help of God until the last breath of life. And I shall strive, as far as possible, that this same faith shall be held, taught, and professed by all those over whom I have charge. I N. do so pledge, promise, and swear, so help me God and these Holy Gospels of God.

Magisterial clarity. Beautiful!

It is thrilling to hear this Creed recited by adult converts.

Here is the introduction to the Tridentine Profession of Faith from the Thesaurus Precum Latinarum web site:

The “Professio fidei Tridentina”, also known as the “Creed of Pope Pius IV”, is one of the four authoritative Creeds of the Catholic Church. It was issued on November 13, 1565 by Pope Pius IV in his bull “Iniunctum nobis” under the auspices of the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563). It was subsequently modified slightly after the First Vatican Council (1869 – 1870) to bring it inline with the dogmatic definitions of the Council. The major intent of the Creed was to clearly define the Catholic faith against Protestantism. At one time it was used by Theologians as an oath of loyalty to the Church and to reconcile converts to the Church, but it is rarely used these days. [But it is used here at Saint Benedict Center!]