YEAR OF FAITH

 

Pope Benedict XVI announced the "Year of Faith" to help Catholics appreciate and better understand the true gift of faith, deepen their relationship with God, and strengthen their commitment to sharing faith with others. This special year starts October 11, 2012, and ends November 24, 2013, the feast of Christ the King. Pope Benedict described the Year of Faith as an opportunity to reopen the “door of faith” that was first opened for us through Baptism and then to enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

 

Why October 11th? This day is the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and also the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

“By beginning the year of faith on these two great milestones of our Church, the Holy Father is calling on us to deepen our commitment to study our faith, to reflect on what the Church teaches us and to pray,” said Bishop Charles C. Thompson of the Evansville diocese in a recent homily. “In order to proclaim the good news to the world, we first need to know what the content of our Catholic faith is all about; we need to embrace it and understand it ourselves if we’re going to be credible in proclaiming it to others.”

 

"Faith grows when it is lived as an experience of love received and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy," the Pope wrote in "Porta Fidei" ("The Door of Faith"), an apostolic letter released October 17th to formally announce the Year of Faith.

 

Pope Benedict said Catholics cannot "grow lazy in the faith." He added that in addition to studying the Catechism and gaining a greater understanding of the creed, the Year of Faith must also consist of more acts of charity.

 

Take the opportunity to join with Catholics all over the world in deepening your faith in God and expanding your relationship with Him during this special Year of Faith. May God continue to bless you as you grow in His love.