The Church is described as "one" because of its source, its founder, and its soul: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This divine origin ensures its unity. Christ Himself prayed for this unity on the night before He died, saying, "that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you" (John 17:21). This profound unity is also expressed in the Church's shared faith, sacraments, and governance under the Pope.
The Church is also holy because Christ is holy. It bears the holiness of Christ through its traditions, scriptures, liturgy, sacraments, and the lives of its saints. Its purpose is to sanctify, to make people holy. Everything the Church possesses serves this end. However, the Church is also filled with sinners. To call the Church holy is not to deny its sinful history but to affirm that its holiness comes from God. As St Paul wrote, “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels.”
The Church is Catholic, meaning "universal." The word comes from the Greek kata holos, meaning "according to the whole." The Church is universal because it is the means by which God gathers the entire world to Himself. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, who began preaching to people of all nations and languages. This universality continues in the Church's mission to transcend cultures and national identities. Pope John Paul II embodied this spirit, gathering young people from around the world for World Youth Days, reminding them of their shared identity as members of the Body of Christ.
St Peter’s Square in Vatican City symbolises this universality. Bernini’s colonnades extend like open arms, inviting people from all nations into the heart of the Church. The Church is called to preach to all nations, fulfilling Jesus’ command to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” This vision has become a tangible reality as people from every corner of the globe gather at the Vatican, a testament to the Church’s universal mission.
The fourth mark of the Church is its Apostolic nature. The Church is Apostolic because it is rooted in the Apostles—those twelve men whom Jesus personally chose, shaped, and sent. The Apostles stayed with Jesus, learning from Him, and their witness forms the foundation of the Church. In the early Church, Apostolic pedigree was crucial. Communities traced their faith back to the preaching of an Apostle. This is why Rome became so important—it was the city where both Peter and Paul lived, taught, and were martyred.
In the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, reliquaries holding the heads of Peter and Paul remind us of their central role in the Church’s foundation. Surrounding the Basilica’s interior are depictions of the twelve Apostles, underscoring the Church’s Apostolic identity. Apostolic succession ensures that the faith is faithfully handed down. Bishops, as successors to the Apostles, ordain priests, preserving the Apostolic mission through the ages. The Church’s hierarchy is not primarily about power but about preserving and transmitting the faith. The word “hierarchy” comes from the Greek hiros (priest) and arche (rule). It signifies governance grounded in the Apostolic faith.
The Apostolic Church retains its missionary purpose. Jesus sent His Apostles into the world to share the Gospel, and that mission continues today. The Church’s structure and content are grounded in Revelation, not democratic consensus. This ensures that the core truths of the faith—such as the Divinity of Christ and the Resurrection—are preserved. The Pope, as the successor of Peter, holds the charism of infallibility. This does not mean the Pope is omniscient or incapable of error in practical matters. It means that, when teaching definitively on faith and morals, he is protected from error by the Holy Spirit. This ensures the Church’s teaching remains faithful to Christ. As Cardinal Newman explained, the Church needs a living voice of authority to interpret Revelation through the ages, preserving its unity and integrity.
The Church is not a static institution or a museum of cultural relics. As John XXIII remarked, “We are not here to guard a museum but to cultivate a flourishing garden of life.” The Church is a living body, with Christ as its head and the Holy Spirit as its lifeblood. Its mission is to bring the divine life to the world, acting as a light to the nations and a conduit of grace.
Barron states that the Church's holiness comes from Christ. How does the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 750) explain the Church's participation in Christ's holiness? What does Scripture say about the holiness of God's people (e.g., Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16)? How does this understanding of holiness challenge you to live your faith more fully?
Reflecting on the universality of the Church, how does the Catechism (CCC 830) describe the Church's mission to all nations? How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 connect to this idea? How can you contribute to the Church's mission in your daily life?
Barron highlights the importance of Apostolic succession. What does the Catechism (CCC 861-862) teach about the role of bishops and priests in preserving the Apostolic faith? How does the Acts of the Apostles (e.g., Acts 6:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:2) illustrate the practice of Apostolic succession in the early Church? Why is this continuity important for you as a believer?
The episode mentions the Pope's charism of infallibility. How does the Catechism (CCC 891) explain the conditions under which this charism is exercised? What does Scripture say about the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church into truth (e.g., John 14:26, 16:13)? How does the teaching authority of the Church help you to understand and live the faith?