The Year Of Faith…what Have We Learned?
The first reference to the word ‘Christians’ can be found in the Acts of the Apostles. It originated in the town of Antioch, where ‘a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.’ St. Ignatius of Antioch was the first Bishop of Antioch. On his journey to Rome where he was martyred, he wrote seven letters discussing Christ as the structure of the Church, and the importance of the Christian life. The witness of St. Ignatius is very noteworthy; even on his way to be devoured by lions. He is pleading with the people of Antioch to be mindful of what it means to belong to Jesus and His Church.
St. Ignatius of Antioch is only one of many holy people who appealed to Christians, asking them to reflect on what it truly means to follow the teachings of Christ. On Oct. 11, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI, in the Apostolic letter Porta Fidei (Door of Faith), shared these same concerns. He feared society no longer had a broad acceptance of Christian faith, which affects the whole world. He declared Oct. 11, 2012, to November 24, 2013, as the “Year of Faith.” Pope Paul VI declared a Year of Faith in 1967-1968, for the very same reasons. So, what have we learned?
I believe that Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Paul VI hoped these liturgical years would become a time of reflection and rediscovery of the faith – a renewed conversion to the one Savior of the world. The Church calendar or liturgical begins on the First Sunday of Advent – four Sundays before Christmas. Pope Benedict XVI began our current year of faith on Oct. 11, 2012 – before the “liturgical new year” – to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the release of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
He wanted this year to be a time when the Catechism of the Catholic Church would become a resource to read and study – enhancing our understanding of Church teaching – and making us better defenders of the faith. He called for a “New Evangelization” to help transport the Christian faith in areas where it had diminished. Dioceses were encouraged to have a celebration of the opening of the Year of Faith and a solemn conclusion.
The Inaugural Feast of Booths event in Vincennes began Oct. 13, 2012, as a way to celebrate the Year of Faith. The rich history in our diocese with the oldest church in Indiana, the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, also known as the Old Cathedral, and our first bishop, Servant of God, Bishop Simon Brute is notable. In preparing for the end of the Year of Faith on Nov. 24, 2013, we gathered again for a second Feast of Booths on Oct. 12 to witness to others the gratitude we have for faith and our religious freedom to do so.
Thank you to everyone who traveled to Vincennes to join us – and for the small-but-mighty crew of faithful who helped host this day-long event. I pray that all active Catholics, especially those from the Diocese of Evansville, will take seriously the call to evangelize and share the faith. If you are baptized Catholic, then you belong to His Church. If you do not have a Catechism of the Catholic Church, be sure to purchase one, and continue to read and study. There are many books about Church teaching that can help make us all better disciples of Jesus.
1 John 4:5: "They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world…" The world needs our prayers! Amen!
Zoe Cannon is a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Vincennes.
