“So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18)

The Foundations

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Simon, son of Jonah, you are a blessed man. For flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in Heaven. For this reason I tell you, 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of the underworld will not prevail against it. To you I will give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.' (Matthew 16:13-20)

It was on the rock foundation of Simon Peter's faith that Jesus built His Church.

The Holy Spirit

After taking His seat at the Right Hand of the Father, Jesus sent His Spirit on the Church to make it alive and transform it into His own Body. The Church was officially inaugurated at Pentecost, when the Spirit came down on Mother Mary and the disciples in the Upper Room (Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). It was then that the mission of the Church actually began. (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35) 

The Body of Christ

The Church is the Body of Christ, of which Christ is the head (Colossians 1:18). The body consists not of one member but of many. God has put all the separate parts into the body as He chose. Each part has a different role to play in the mission of the Church, but they are all united to one another in Christ. (1Corinthians 12:14,18,27; Romans 12:4-5)

The Church is also described as a building of which Jesus Christ is the corner stone (1Peter 2:4-7; 1Corinthians 3:9; Acts 4:11-12). The Word of God holds the Church together and makes it stronger. (Mathew 7:24-28)

Universal

The word Catholic comes from the Greek katholikos which means ‘throughout the whole’ or ‘universal’. As the word indicates, the Catholic Church is universal and embraces members of all castes, creed and unites them in Christ. (Galatians 3:26-29; Colossians 3:11)

This was revealed to Saint Peter himself during the early stages of the Church. (Acts 10:34-35,44-45)

The most important thing that unites us is internal: “real circumcision is in the heart, a thing not of the letter but of the spirit” (Romans 2:29)

Mother Mary, Saints and Apostles

Mother Mary is seen from the very beginning not only as the Mother of God, but also the heart of the early community of believers during Pentecost. She was made the mother of the Church - that is to say, she is the mother of the disciples whom He loved, while hanging on the Cross. (Luke 1:43; Acts 1:14; John 19:25-27) 

The apostles and prophets are part of the foundation of the Church (Ephesians 2:19-22). The Saints in the church also form part of that foundation by their lives and teaching. (2Thessalonians 2:15; Philippians 3:17,4:9)

The faith of Saint Peter is the Rock on which the Church is built (Matthew 16:16). It is the clear understanding that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Saint Paul was given the spirit of Wisdom (Romans 11:33-35). This enabled him to lay down the foundations of faith in people's hearts “like a trained master-builder”. His teaching also became an essential part of the teachings of the Church (2Thessalonians 2:15; Philippians 3:17; Philippians 4:9). These gifts of Saint Paul were recognized by Saint Peter early in the Church. (2Peter 3:15-16)

Saint John was the beloved disciple of Jesus (John 13:23-25). A great number of mysteries were revealed to him because of his love (1John 1:1-4). This revelation which comes with love is also an important part of the Church's foundation.

The Petrine Ministry 

The ministry of Saint Peter and his successors is called the “Petrine Ministry”. To put it briefly, it is to keep reminding the Church of the truths of the Gospel, so keeping it in the true faith. (2Peter 1:12-15)

Pastors

Pastors or Bishops are given to the Church to take care of the flock. Their ministry is to teach and instruct the flock of Jesus. (1Corinthians 12:27-30, Romans 13:1; 1Corinthians 4:15; John 10; Ephesians 4:7-13; 1Peter 5:1-4)