Year of Faith

Year of Faith

The Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI last year in his apostolic letter Porta Fidei began on Thursday, October 11, 2012, the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and will end on Sunday, November 24, 2013 the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King. 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. Learn more at www.usccb.org and www.yearoffaithboston.com
To begin the celebration of the Year of Faith, we will join churches across the world in ringing our bells for three minutes on Wednesday, October 11. You can read Porta Fidei at the Vatican website:
(http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20111011_porta-fidei_en.html

Below is something extra for the Year of Faith, which I found in the Roman Breviary—WMH

Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptized; let us also go down with Him, and rise with Him.

John is baptizing when Jesus draws near. Perhaps He comes to sanctify His baptizer; certainly He comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; He who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.

The Baptist protests; Jesus insists. Then John says: I ought to be baptized by You. He is the lamp in the presence of the sun, the voice in the presence of the Word, the friend in the presence of the Bridegroom, the greatest of all born of woman in the presence of the firstborn of all creation, the one who leapt in his mother’s womb in the presence of Him Who was adored in the womb, the forerunner and future forerunner in the presence of Him Who has already come and is to come again. I ought to be baptized by You; we should also add: and for You, for John is to be baptized in blood, washed clean like Peter, not only by the washing of his feet.

Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with Him. The heavens like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as to an equal, bearing witness to His Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honor to the body that is one with God.

Today let us do honor to Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom His every word and revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of Him who is the Light of Heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received- - - though not in its fullness- - - a ray of its splendor proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus Our Lord, to Whom be glory and power for ever and ever.

From a Sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzus, Bishop

YEAR OF FAITH MEDIA CHALLENGE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
Blessed John Paul II called for “a new evangelization: new in its ardor, methods and expression.” The Year of Faith offers all of us the opportunity to share our testimony of faith in Jesus Christ through the new media. Using technology ordinary people can use technology to reach the world in word, song, picture and video. It is our hope that you will choose to share the fruits of your reflection during the Year of Faith by entering our Media Challenge. For submission guidelines or to enter visit our website www.yearoffaithboston.org/mediachallenge .

CATHOLIC FAITH ESSENTIALS
The third session of Catholic Faith Essentials – How did Jesus pray? - is on Monday, January 28 at 7p.m.. You can attend live in person, live virtually at www.BostonCatholicLive.com or view recorded sessions on demand at www.YearofFaithBoston.org/CatholicFaithEssentials For more information and to register please visit www.yearoffaithboston.org/catholicfaithessentials

Year of Faith links:

Archdiocese of Boston: www.yearoffaithboston.org

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/

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