And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which
you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is,
the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
1 Thessalonians 2, 13

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1, 13

Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me,
in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has
been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
2 Timothy 1, 13-14

Sacred Tradition refers to the unwritten word of God and serves as a significant source of divine revelation, integral to the understanding of Christian faith. This concept indicates that Sacred Tradition is the foundation from which Sacred Scripture, the written word of God, originates, as highlighted in passages such as Luke 1:1-4. When we speak of Tradition as unwritten or verbally unspoken, we are referring to the divine mysteries that have been revealed or conveyed by the Holy Spirit to the Church throughout history, as noted in John 16:12-13. The infallibility of Tradition is crucial because it reinforces the infallibility of Scripture; both sources of divine revelation stem from the same divine source—the Holy Spirit. While Tradition can be seen as the unwritten guidance, Scripture is viewed as the written inspiration. Since Scripture is derived from the initial unwritten Tradition, its interpretation should occur in light of this Sacred Tradition. These two forms of divine revelation—Scripture and Tradition—are intrinsically linked, and it is essential not to treat them as opposing or separate entities. Instead, they should be viewed as complementary aspects of a unified truth in the Christian faith. Therefore, understanding one enhances the comprehension of the other, reinforcing the belief that both are necessary for a complete understanding of divine revelation.

Tradition, derived from the Latin word meaning “handing on,” refers to the transmission of God’s revealed word throughout history, guided by the Holy Spirit. It encompasses all divine revelation from the beginning of human history up until the end of the apostolic age, being passed down from one generation of believers to the next. The Church plays a crucial role in safeguarding this Tradition, often referred to as the Rule of Faith, until the return of Christ in glory, as noted in Matthew 28:20. In the Gospel of John, Jesus reassures his apostles with the promise of the Holy Spirit, saying, “And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16). The Greek term translated as “forever” is αἰῶνα (aiōna), indicating that the Holy Spirit, or Paraclete, will continuously reside with the Church throughout the entire Messianic age—from Christ's ascension to heaven and the event of Pentecost until His glorious return.

Tradition can be understood as encompassing all that is presented in Scripture, whether explicitly stated or implied. Since Scripture does not always provide explicit guidance, it may be deemed insufficient as the sole rule of faith. As a result, Tradition plays a crucial role in revealing or illuminating aspects that may not be clearly articulated in Scripture, yet are nonetheless significant as manifestations of the Holy Spirit's communication to the Church. The written and unwritten aspects of God's revelation work in harmony, providing mutual support and complementing one another, as both originate from the same divine source and uphold the truth.

The hierarchical Church, established by Christ through Peter and the Apostles, adheres to a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. These two forms of divine revelation are closely linked and serve a common purpose, both originating from the Holy Spirit. Consequently, the Church does not base its understanding of revealed truths solely on Sacred Scripture. The Apostles believed that their preaching was inspired and safeguarded by the Holy Spirit, which protects the Church from error, as indicated in Acts 15:27-28. Additionally, Paul emphasized that the Church itself stands as “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), highlighting the Church's critical role in preserving and proclaiming divine truths.

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions
we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 2, 15

Vatican II outlined the process by which Christian tradition was transmitted, noting that it was carried out by the apostles through various means. They communicated their teachings through spoken preaching, personal examples, and the institutions they established, sharing what they had received from Christ, both in His words and actions, as well as insights prompted by the Holy Spirit (Constitution on Divine Revelation, II, 7). The Church played a crucial role in affirming the validity of the written word by determining which Biblical books and epistles constitute the canon of Scripture through infallible rulings. This suggests that just as God was faithful in the transmission of written scripture, He remains faithful to His Church in conveying unwritten teachings through the Holy Spirit and the voices of the apostles and their successors. This oral tradition enhances and deepens the understanding of the revelations committed to writing for communities familiar with the foundational oral teachings.

According to John Cardinal Henry Newman, Scripture and Tradition are not merely distinct "sources" of divine revelation; rather, they function as two interconnected "modes" of conveying the same deposit of faith. Newman articulates this relationship with the phrase, "Totum in scriptura, totum in traditione," which translates to "All is in Scripture, all is in Tradition." This underscores the idea that Scripture and Tradition are inherently unified, each enriching and illuminating the other, thereby forming a cohesive expression of the word of God. Newman's perspective highlights the notion that the truths of faith are transmitted not only through written texts but also through the living tradition of the Church, which includes teachings, practices, and interpretations handed down through generations. In this context, if the Apostle Paul had chosen to encapsulate all that he preached exclusively in written letters, he would have limited the scope of his message. Instead, he communicated both orally and through epistolary means, demonstrating the dynamic interplay between spoken word and written Scripture in the apostolic tradition.

The entire body of Christ, encompassing both clergy and laity, possesses a unique anointing that stems from the Holy Spirit, as affirmed in 1 John 2:20 and 27. This profound unity as members of one mystical body—with Christ as the head—ensures that they cannot be led astray, in keeping with the promise made by our Lord to His apostles that the truth would be preserved within His Church. This characteristic of the Church is vividly illustrated through the concept of the supernatural appreciation of faith, known as the sensus fidei. This innate sense, present among all the faithful, is evidenced when they collectively express a universal consent in essential matters of faith and morals, demonstrating a shared understanding that transcends individual interpretation.

Furthermore, this appreciation of faith is both ignited and maintained by the Spirit of Truth, who guides the entire household of God. As they navigate the complexities of faith, the faithful are not simply receiving human teachings; rather, they are engaging with the authentic word of God as articulated by the Holy Spirit, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 2:13. The Church remains grounded in the faith delivered once for all to the saints, as noted in the Second Vatican Council's Lumen Gentium, particularly in paragraph 12, reinforcing the essential role of the Magisterium in interpreting and upholding this divine revelation. Thus, the faithful, while grounded in tradition, are continuously animated by the living presence of the Spirit within their communal experience of faith.

The Catholic Church, both in its Eastern and Western traditions, holds that the beliefs affirmed by its body and pastors are considered part of divine revelation. This conviction is rooted in the understanding that the Church, guided and assisted by the Holy Spirit, is infallible in matters of faith and morals. Yves Congar, in his work Tradition and Traditions (1966), emphasizes this principle, highlighting the Church's assurance in its teachings. Furthermore, the prophecy of Isaiah alludes to the Church established by Christ on Peter the rock and the Apostles. Isaiah 35:8 states, “And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way so that fools shall not err therein.” This passage, along with references from the Acts of the Apostles, underscores the notion of a divinely guided and infallible faith.

The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart:
that is, the word of faith, which we preach.
Romans 10, 8

On Pentecost, the Church was formally established as a distinct and visible entity in history with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This event marked the beginning of the apostles' mission to share the revelation they had received, ensuring that it could be communicated to future generations under the guidance of the Paraclete. The truth of the faith, in all its richness and depth, has consistently been accompanied by the Holy Spirit's presence, which preserves the Church’s integrity as the "unblemished" body of Christ. Consequently, the teachings initiated by the apostles need to be nurtured and deepened through an ongoing quest for knowledge and understanding of Divine mysteries, aided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8-9). It is important to note that the fullness of truth is found within the Catholic Church. This is because both Scripture and Tradition, essential sources of divine revelation, must maintain a cohesive relationship within the deposit of faith; separation between them could lead to a fragmented understanding of faith.

The concept of tradition is encapsulated in the words of 5th-century monk Vincent of Lerins, who stated, “We must hold what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” This highlights the idea that tradition is not merely a relic of the past but a living, dynamic aspect of the Church's identity. Tradition can be understood as a timeless entity that exists within the framework of temporal reality. Its primary purpose is not to restore historical practices but to deepen our understanding of them in the present and to illuminate them through a broader faith perspective that transcends time. Moreover, this tradition encompasses more than just written or spoken doctrines; it includes the ways in which these teachings have been embraced and expressed in liturgical practices by the faithful over centuries. This ongoing transmission of faith serves as a collective memory, fostering a connection among believers and continuing to shape the experience of the Church as the mystical body of Christ.

Tradition can be understood as a dynamic and ongoing experience that evolves over time while remaining true to its core principles, which are seen as gifts from the Holy Spirit. Throughout history, various doctrines have emerged and developed through rigorous debate, all supported by the transmission of Tradition. In this context, Scripture plays a vital role as the objective standard of faith. The written word of God has been instrumental in helping the Church achieve a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the truths expressed by the Holy Spirit, particularly regarding God's significant acts in salvation history and the distribution of His diverse grace.

Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation,
I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly
for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Jude 1, 3

Tradition serves as a continuous avenue through which God reveals deeper insights to His Church, expanding upon the truths articulated in the Scriptures. As the Church reflects and meditates on these sacred texts, hidden meanings and implications emerge, enriching the understanding of faith. Over time, the Church's core doctrines have evolved, fostered by deep contemplation guided by the Holy Spirit. This process does not alter or distort the word of God; rather, it provides a clearer comprehension over time, upheld by the assurance of the promised Paraclete. The apostles established the deposit of faith, akin to planting a seed that has since grown and flourished, revealing various dimensions of truth. Defining an article of faith can be likened to creating a mosaic, where each belief is a distinct tile that contributes to a comprehensive and unified whole.

The Church is referred to as a “mystery” in the teachings of the apostles, indicating that it represents the kingdom of God among us and cannot be comprehended through reason alone (Eph 5:32). The authority to “bind and loose”—which includes interpreting divine revelation and defining dogma—resides with the Universal Magisterium, comprised of the world’s bishops in communion with the Vicar of Christ. God's infinite wisdom, as revealed in both His written and unwritten word, remains a hidden mystery throughout the ages, and can be fully understood with certainty only through the magisterial teaching authority of the Catholic Church established by Christ on Peter and the Apostles (Mat 16:15-18; Eph 3:9-10). The foundation of the faith rests on the Three Pillars: Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium. Each pillar plays a crucial role, and none can sustain the faith independently. If one of these pillars is absent, the true faith cannot be infallibly preserved or transmitted. The divine truth is not relative; rather, the Holy Spirit is active within all three pillars, ensuring that the teachings of the Church are not endlessly open to debate.

Early Sacred Tradition

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (inter A.D. 180-189)
Against Heresies 3,5,1

“Since, therefore, the tradition from the apostles does thus exist in the Church, and is permanent
among us, let us revert to the Scriptural proof furnished by those apostles who did also write
the Gospel, in which they recorded the doctrine regarding God, pointing out that our Lord Jesus Christ
is the truth, and that no lie is in Him.”

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (A.D. 350)
Catechetical Lectures 5:12

“But in learning the Faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered
to thee by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures … Take heed
then, brethren, and hold fast the traditions ye now receive.”

St. Athanasius of Alexandria (A.D. 360)
Four Letters to Serapion of Thumius 1:28

“But beyond these Scriptural sayings, let us look at the very tradition, teaching, and faith
of the Catholic Church from the beginning, which the Lord gave, the apostles preached,
and the Fathers kept.”

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth;
for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,
and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
John 16, 12-13