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Year of Faith: Indulgences and Places of Pilgrimage Most Rev. John VlaznyArchbishop of Portland Who among us would claim not to be a sinner?  Who is without need of forgiveness?  All our sins have consequences.  They disrupt our relationship with God and the church.  They make it difficult for us to resist temptations and they certainly hurt other people.  Healing is necessary and sometimes help is needed.  Our prayers, fasting, almsgiving and works of charity truly help the healing process.  But over the centuries the church has offered another aid, indulgences. Church law and the Catechism of the Catholic...

The Year of Faith and the Catechism of the Catholic Church1. The "eaten" bookIn preaching to the Papal Household, I try to allow myself to be guided in the choice of themes by the graces or special occasions that the Church is experiencing at a given moment in her history. Recently we had the opening of the Year of Faith, the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the Synod for Evangelization and the Transmission of the Christian Faith. Therefore, I thought that this Advent I would offer a reflection on each of these three events.I shall begin with...

The Year Of Faith – 10 Things You Should Know Oct 25th, 2012by Gary Zimak. In his Apostolic Letter Porta Fidei (The Door of Faith), Pope Benedict XVI explained his reasoning behind declaring the Year of Faith (Oct 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013). While I recommend that you read the full document, here are 10 highlights that every Catholic should know.1. The Door of Faith Is Always Open – Although we may choose to resist, the Lord’s door is always open and He waits patiently for us to enter.2. The Journey of Faith Lasts A Lifetime – We start...

A Life of Faith Papal Theologian Speaks on the Grace of Faith By Edward PentinSince around the time of the Reformation, too much emphasis has been placed on providing answers for the faith generated by science and reason, and not enough on how a life of faith begins.This is the view of Fr. Wojciech Giertych, O.P., the Pope’s theologian, who shared his opinion on the all-important aspect of the beginnings of faith which he sees as especially crucial during this Year of Faith.In a rare interview on the side lines of a recent event in Rome, Fr. Giertych explained how...

Living the Year of Faith: How Pope Benedict Wants You to Begin By Dr. Jeff Mirus | October 17, 2012 1:02 PM The Holy Spirit has urged me to read the inaugural documents for the Year of Faith. Of course while one should seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in all things, one should never claim the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for anything. Those of us who are prone to expose all too clearly our own faults and weaknesses have a special need to heed this advice so as not to give the Holy Spirit a bad name.But...

Share Your Faith in This Year of Faith Two keys to help you do it. The gospel really does have the power to save and redeem. It’s something that each of us can experience. And it’s something that each of us is called to proclaim. As we try to respond to the Lord’s call to go out into all the world, it’s important for us to see how much the Lord wants us to evangelize. On the one hand, we should not presume that everyone is already converted and on the path to heaven. But on the other hand,...

On A New Series of Audiences for The Year of Faith "With Faith, Everything Changes in Us and for Us" VATICAN, OCTOBER 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today in St. Peter’s Square. Today the Holy Father introduced a new series of catechesis meant to accompany the Church during the Year of Faith. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, Today I would like to introduce a new series of catecheses that will be developed throughout the course of the newly inaugurated Year of Faith and that, for the time being, will interrupt...

Pope Benedict XVI Grants Plenary Indulgence to Faithful Apostolic Penitentiary Issues Decree on Occasion of the Year of Faith By Junno ArochoVATICAN CITY, OCT. 5, 2012 (Zenit.org).- In a decree signed by Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro, Penitentiary Major and Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Holy Father has granted the faithful a Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the Year of Faith. The indulgence will last the entire Year of Faith, from October 11th, 2012 to November 24th, 2013."The day of the fiftieth anniversary of the solemn opening of Vatican Council II the Supreme Pontiff Benedict...

The Family's Mission in the Year of Faith Journalist From Polish Catholic Weekly Offers Reflections By Father Mariusz FrukaczROME, SEPT. 4, 2012 (Zenit.org).- What role can the family play in the context of the New Evangelization and the Year of Faith?A question that ZENIT asked Jowita Kostrzewska, correspondent at the Polish Catholic weekly “Niedziela.”ZENIT: There is talk of a crisis in the family in the contemporary world. At the same time, some believe that the family is important in terms of giving witness during the Year of Faith, which will begin in October. What is your point of view in...

Highlights in the Plan for Year of Faith Traditional Events Will Take on Special Perspective VATICAN CITY, AUG. 3, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Vatican Radio on Thursday took note of some of the main events scheduled for the Year of Faith, which Benedict XVI has called for Oct. 11, 2012, through Nov. 24, 2013.* * *The Year itself begins Oct. 11, 2012, with a Mass presided over by Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square. It will be concelebrated by bishops and theologians who, like the Pope himself, served as members or experts at the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council.Many of the Pope's traditional...

Vatican Unveils Logo for Year of Faith Calendar Outlined for Oct. 11, 2012, to Nov. 24, 2013 VATICAN CITY, JUNE 21, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Officials of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization unveiled today at the Vatican the logo and and calendar of events for the Year of Faith, which Benedict XVI has called for Oct. 11, 2012, to Nov. 24, 2013.Archbishop Rino Fisichella and Monsignor Graham Bell, respectively president and under secretary of the new evangelization council, also presented the Web site for the year."In his Apostolic Letter 'Porta fidei' Benedict XVI speaks ... of the need to rediscover...

The World-Changing Year of Faith FaithApril 23rd, 2012 John Harden  This year is poised to be one of the most exciting years in modern history. A major event will take place that could change the direction of our country — indeed, of the entire world. I’m not talking about the upcoming election, or even the fabled Mayan Apocalypse. I’m talking about 2012 as the Year of Faith! …Queue cricket sounds…OK, I know at first glance the “Year of Faith” doesn’t seem all that exciting or noteworthy. And I know as Catholics we’re supposed to be excited about it, even though we might...