The Year of Faith
is a
“summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord,
the One Savior of the world”
(Porta Fidei 6).
In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.
The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.
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| Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen |
Pope Benedict XVI has stated that the Year of Faith is to be a worldwide moment of prayer. One way to fulfill this request is the promotion of the World Mission Rosary. . . that was conceived in 1951 by the Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen. The World Mission Rosary unites people of the world in a spiritual communion and as Bishop Sheen said, the one who prays it will “embrace all continents, all people in prayer.”
In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God has opened the door of faith for the early Church. But did you know that God has opened the door of faith for each one us and he invites us to step through the threshold into a deeper relationship with him.
The upcoming Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn towards Jesus Christ, encounter him in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and rediscover the Faith and Church.
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| 2nd Vatican Council 1962-1965 |
During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
"The 'door of faith' (Acts14:27)
is always open for us,
ushering us into
the life of communion with God
and offering entry into his Church."
is always open for us,
ushering us into
the life of communion with God
and offering entry into his Church."
--Pope Benedict XVI,
Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei
for the Indiction of the Year of Faith
Pope Benedict Asks the Faithful to
"Cherish the Rosary
during the Year of Faith"
Before praying the Angelus on
Octctober 7, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI recalled that the traditional annual
"supplication", in which thousands of faithful around the world
participate, is taking place today at the Italian shrine of Pompei, dedicated
to Our Lady of the Rosary.
"As we too spiritually unite
ourselves to that choral invocation, I would like to invite everyone
to cherish
the Rosary during the forthcoming Year of Faith.
With the Rosary, in fact, we
allow ourselves to be guided by Mary, the model of faith,
in meditating upon the mysteries of Christ,
and day after day we are helped to assimilate the
Gospel so that it can shape our lives.
Therefore, in the wake of my
predecessors,
and in particular Blessed John Paul II who ten years ago gave us his Apostolic Letter
'Rosarium Virginis Mariae',
I invite people to pray the
Rosary individually,
in the family and in the community, placing themselves in
the school of Mary who leads us to Christ, the living center of our
faith".
— from Vatican Information Service
Disciples Called To Witness
The New Evangelization
A statement by the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis
How often do we fail to realize that we are called to be Christ's witnesses to the world? How often do we reach out to our missing brothers and sisters by inviting them to join us at Mass or by asking why they no longer feel welcomed at Church? Did you know that through our baptism, we are called to proclaim the Good News to all people, everywhere and at all times.
PLENARY INDULGENCE
FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH
Vatican City, (VIS) - According to a decree made public today and signed by Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro and Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, Benedict XVI will grant faithful Plenary Indulgence for the occasion of the Year of Faith. The indulgence will be valid from the opening of the Year on 11 October 2012 until its end on 24 November 2013.
"The day of the fiftieth anniversary of the solemn opening of Vatican Council II", the text reads, "the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has decreed the beginning of a Year especially dedicated to the profession of the true faith and its correct interpretation, through the reading of - or better still the pious meditation upon - the Acts of the Council and the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church"."Since the primary objective is to develop sanctity of life to the highest degree possible on this earth, and thus to attain the most sublime level of pureness of soul, immense benefit may be derived from the great gift of Indulgences which, by virtue of the power conferred upon her by Christ, the Church offers to everyone who, following the due norms, undertakes the special prescripts to obtain them".
"During the Year of Faith, which will last from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013, Plenary Indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins, imparted by the mercy of God and applicable also to the souls of deceased faithful, may be obtained by all faithful who, truly penitent, take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.
"(A) Each time they attend at least three sermons during the Holy Missions, or at least three lessons on the Acts of the Council or the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location.
"(B) Each time they visit, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith (for example, minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints), and there participate in a sacred celebration, or at least remain for a congruous period of time in prayer and pious meditation, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, depending on the circumstances, to the Holy Apostles and patron saints."(C) Each time that, on the days designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith, ... in any sacred place, they participate in a solemn celebration of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the Hours, adding thereto the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form.
"(D) On any day they chose, during the Year of Faith, if they make a pious visit to the baptistery, or other place in which they received the Sacrament of Baptism, and there renew their baptismal promises in any legitimate form."Diocesan or eparchal bishops, and those who enjoy the same status in law, on the most appropriate day during that period or on the occasion of the main celebrations, ... may impart the papal blessing with the Plenary Indulgence".
The document concludes by recalling how faithful who, due to illness or other legitimate cause, are unable to leave their place of adobe, may still obtain Plenary Indulgence "if, united in spirit and thought with other faithful, and especially at the times when the words of the Supreme Pontiff and diocesan bishops are transmitted by television or radio, they recite ... the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and other prayers that concord with the objectives of the Year of Faith, offering up the suffering and discomfort of their lives".
Official Webpage of the Year of Faith
http://www.annusfidei.va/content/novaevangelizatio/en.html
The official calendar for the Year of Faith
The official calendar
for the Year of Faith lists the events which have been submitted to the
Organizational Secretary from around the world.
http://www.annusfidei.va/content/novaevangelizatio/en/eventi.html
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