Vatican announces plans for Year of Faith
June 21, 2012
At a Vatican press conference on June 21, Archbishop Rino Fisichella outlined plans for the Year of Faith that will begin October 11.
“We must overcome the spiritual poverty affecting so many of our contemporaries who do no longer perceive the absence of God from their lives as a void that needs to be filled,” said the archbishop, who is the president of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. He observed that the Year of Faith marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II, and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. But he added that the event “falls into a broader context which is characterized by a generalized crisis that also touches the faith.”
Archbishop Fisichella mentioned some of the special events that are planned for the Year of Faith, beginning with a solemn Eucharistic celebration to open the observance on October 11. The Synod of Bishops will be meeting in Rome in October, to discuss the New Evangelization. And the month will also see the canonization of seven new saints, including Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and Maria Anna Cope.
In May 2013, on Pentecost Sunday, members of Catholic movements will meet in St. Peter’s Square. On June 2, the feast of Corpus Christi, plans call for the simultaneous adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at sites all around the world. On July 7, seminarians and religious novices will arrive in St. Peter’s Square, concluding a pilgrimage. The Year of Faith will close with another liturgical celebration on November 24, 2013.
Archbishop Fisichella introduced a web site for the Year of Faith, which provides information in several different languages and will be accessible by a variety of electronic devices. The organizers also unveiled a logo for the observance, which features a ship symbolizing the Church, with a mast in the shape of a cross, and sails that form the letters “IHS.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Presentation of the Year of Faith (VIS)
- Web site for Year of Faith (Pontifical Council for New Evangelization)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
