When we recite the Nicene Creed at Mass (after the homily), we profess that the Church is four things: “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” We call these the Four Marks of the Church, but what do they mean exactly? 

Often times, when I am teaching the Mass, I will start by asking the person to define the word sacred. Almost every time, I get the response “holy” or “blessed.” These are not necessarily wrong but they are too broad. A rosary is holy and blessed, but a rosary is not sacred. All sacred items are holy but not all holy items are sacred. Instead, for something to be sacred, it means that that item is reserved specifically for the purpose of worship.