What is the Trinity?
One God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Trinity is not three gods and not one person wearing three masks. It is the Christian mystery of who God is: communion of love, eternally one and three.
One God
Catholics profess one God. The Shema’s call to love the Lord your God with all you are remains central. Trinity does not divide God into parts; it names how the one God exists.
Three divine persons
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons, not roles played by the same individual. The Son is begotten; the Spirit proceeds—language the Church uses to safeguard both unity and distinction.
Why it matters
Salvation is Trinitarian: the Father sends the Son, who redeems, and the Spirit sanctifies. Prayer that addresses Father, Son, and Spirit aligns with how God has revealed himself.