Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle
(Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, Philippines)
The Word Exposed: Catechism – The Year of Faith (January 6, 2013 Episode)
In hi s Apostolic Letter ‘Porta Fidei’ dated October 11, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI announced to the world that we will celebrate the “Year of Faith” from October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013. Incidentally, the first day of the Year of Faith marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church while its culmination is the Solemnity of Christ the King in 2013.
In the long history of the Church, the Popes have asked us to devote ourselves to the deepening of our understanding and living of a particular aspect of our faith. The previous year of faith that we observed was in 1967 as declared by Pope Paul VI. He announced this year of celebration in commemoration of the 19th Centenary of the Martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul. We recall the supreme act of witness of these Apostles through their shedding of blood to inspire and strengthen us in faith.
The present year of faith on the other hand is a summons to:
* an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Savior of the world.
You might be wondering why the Pope Benedict XVI convoked the Year of Faith. The Pope has observed profound crisis of faith that has affected many people and so the goal is that each Christian would rediscover the journey of faith so that to shed ever clearer light to:
* the joy and
* renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ.
In other words, this is an opportunity for us:
* to experience conversion,
* to return to Jesus and
* enter into a deeper relationship with Him.
Pope Benedict XVI likened this conversion to entering the “door of faith” that God opens for us. As we know, the door of faith was opened for us already on baptism. Nonetheless during this Year of Faith, we are called to:
* enter it once again,
* walk through it and
* rediscover and renew our relationship with Jesus and the Church.
He said, “The ‘door of faith’ is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into His Church.”
As we enter once again this ‘door of faith’ in our very lives, we are asked to:
* study and reflect once more on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and those contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
We need to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the faith that we profess so that to celebrate and live it more fully.
In the particular address, the Pope invited our young friends, the youth, to study the catechism. He added, “You yourselves are the Body of Christ, the Church! Bring the undiminished fire of your love into this Church whose countenance has been so often disfigured by man.”
As God said it to the young Jeremiah 1:7, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’ for to all to whom I send you you shall go, and what I command you, you shall speak.”
Study and understand our faith!
Celebrate it!
Live it!
Share it!
Be joyful and bold in your faith!
Collectively and individually, we may observe the Year of Faith through these means which the Pope himself suggested:
* intensify the celebration of faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist which is the summit of the Christian life,
* give witness to one’s of faith like our very own Filipino Sts. Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod,
* rediscover the content of one’s faith which are mainly explained in the catechism.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, also suggested some activities which we can spearhead and join like:
* pilgrimages,
* symposia and converses,
* catechetical event for the youth,
* reading groups on the catechism, Vatican II documents and the exhortations of the Pope,
* multi-media evangelization and engagements,
* display of religious arts,
* catechetical activities in schools,
* frequent approach to the Sacrament of Penance,
* commemoration of the saints and
* many, many others.
The year of faith is not only for the clergy and religious. It is very much the celebration of and for the laity. All of us as members of the Body of Christ, the Church, are called to celebrate with:
* full knowledge,
* understanding,
* love and
* missionary zeal
the faith that we profess. Find time to be involved and active in different activities of your respective dioceses. It will surely help you in your journey to a healthy and intimate relationship with God and the Church.
Rekindle the fire of faith in your hearts!
Refresh your bond with the Church!
Renew your commitment to God!
And like Sts. Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, let us stand firm in our faith.
Let us enter the ‘door of faith’ in our lives and lead others to the door leading to communion with God!
You may also want to read this:
Discovering Reality http://iamacatholicbyheart.blogspot.com/p/discovering-reality.html
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