Opening of the Year of Faith

On Thursday, October 11, 2012, the Holy Father Benedict XVI presided at the Eucharistic celebration at 10 am, on St. Peter’s Square marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and launching the year of Faith. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and the Primate of the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, together with over 400 cardinals and bishops were among those attending. The solemn mass was enriched by several signs: The long solemn entrance procession, the enthronement of the Holy Scripture used during Vatican II and the consignment of seven final Messages delivered at the close of The Council by Pope Paul VI.

In his homily Pope Benedict XVI reminded us to enter more deeply into the spiritual movement of Vatican II and live its true meaning. He added that its true meaning was and remains faith in Christ, the apostolic faith, animated by the inner desire to communicate Christ to individuals and all people. He also mentioned that if today the Church proposes a new Year of Faith and a new evangelization, it is not to honor an anniversary, but because there is more need of it, even more than there was fifty years ago!

Among the thousands gathered from all over the world at St. Peter’s Square on Thursday were some of the Sisters from our International Community in Casa Madre who participated in the celebration with much joy and enthusiasm. In preparation for the Year of Faith, the Casa Madre Community has taken some resolutions. One of them is to watch and reflect on a series of DVDs on faith. The Sisters are looking forward to the opportunities this year will provide in terms of Spiritual growth.