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VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has approved a formula for a special “Mass for the New Evangelization” for the upcoming Year of Faith, as well as devised an official hymn, a dedicated website and a multilingual pastoral guide to coincide with the event.
The innovations were revealed at a June 21 Vatican press conference on the Year of Faith, led by the president of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella. The year will be held Oct. 11, 2012-Nov. 24, 2013. October 11 is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
The Italian archbishop said the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments had approved “the formula for a special ‘Mass for the New Evangelization,’” which would be a “clear sign” that, during the year, “priority will be given to prayer and especially to the Eucharist, as source and summit of all Christian life.”
Pope Benedict XVI announced the Year of Faith in October 2011 in his apostolic letter Porta Fidei. In it, he said the aim of the year is “to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.”
He said he also saw it as “a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist,” and to “intensify the witness of charity.”
Archbishop Fisichella said the Year of Faith “aims, above all, to support the faith of believers who, in their daily trials, never cease to entrust their lives to the Lord Jesus with courage and conviction.”
“Their precious testimony, which does not make the news, but is precious in the eyes of the Highest, is what enables the Church to present herself to the world today, as she did in the past, supported by the strength of the faith and the enthusiasm of ordinary people,” he said.
The archbishop noted that commemoration falls within “a broader context” of a “crisis of faith,” which is a “dramatic expression of an anthropological crisis which has abandoned man to his own devices.”
“We must overcome the spiritual poverty affecting so many of our contemporaries, who no longer perceive the absence of God from their lives as a void that needs to be filled,” he said, adding that the Year of Faith is therefore “an opportunity which the Christian community offers to the many people who feel nostalgia for God and who desire to rediscover him.”
The year will coincide with two major anniversaries: the aforementioned 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It will also begin around the same time that a three-week meeting of the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization gets under way at the Vatican.
A new website for the event is available in various languages and can be accessed by smartphone and tablet. The year also has an official hymn entitled Credo, Domine, Adauge Nobis Fidem (“I Believe, Lord, Increase Our Faith”) as well as a multilingual pastoral guide, “Living the Year of Faith,” to be published in early September.
Pilgrims will also receive an image of Christ, taken from the cathedral of Cefalu in Sicily, with the Creed written on the reverse.
A special logo has also been devised for the year, comprising an image of a ship that symbolizes the Church with the monogram of Christ, IHS, on the ship’s mast. In the background is a sun representing the Eucharist.
Archbishop Fisichella also announced a program of events during the year to be celebrated in Rome in the presence of the Holy Father. These will include an opening Mass in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 11, which will also celebrate the Council’s anniversary. Concelebrating will be Synod Fathers taking part in the Synod on the New Evangelization, presidents of the world’s conferences of bishops, and 35 Council Fathers who are still alive.
Oct. 21 will see the canonization of seven people, including two North Americans, Blessed Sister Marianne Cope, also known as Blessed Marianne of Molokai, and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Ecumenical vespers on Jan. 25, 2013, will take place at the Roman Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. On April 28, the Holy Father will impart the sacrament of confirmation to a group of young people. May 5 will be dedicated to expressions of popular piety. On May 18, Catholic movements will gather in St. Peter’s Square, and, on June 2, the feast of Corpus Christi, the Blessed Sacrament will be adored at the same time all over the world.
June 16 will be dedicated to the Gospel of Life, while, on July 7, seminarians and novices from all over the world will conclude their pilgrimage by gathering in St. Peter’s Square. Sept. 29 will be dedicated to catechists on the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism, and Oct. 13 will focus on the presence of Mary in the Church. The closing celebration will take place Nov. 24.
The year will also include a number of cultural events, including an exhibition on St. Peter to be held at Castel Sant’Angelo Feb. 7-May 1, 2013. A concert in St. Peter’s Square will also take place on June 22, at which 150,000 participants are expected.
Father Cesare Atuire, CEO of Rome’s pilgrimage office, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, welcomed the news of the Year of Faith, saying his organization is currently creating the best conditions to receive the many pilgrims expected in the Eternal City and the Holy Land during the events.
He said he hopes pilgrims will also “create a catechetical experience within the city,” as well as making the traditional profession of faith in St. Peter’s Basilica. “I have been talking to people in different parts of the world, and I get the feeling they like the idea of the enthusiasm being given to the experience of the faith today,” he said. “I think it’s well worth it, necessary and will make a difference.”
Edward Pentin is the Register’s Rome correspondent.
Benjamin Wiker: Benedict XVI: Doctor of the Church
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The Special Mass of the New Evangelization for “The Year of Faith” ‘12/‘13, I think is a strong conviction of Catholics around the world as announced by Pope Benedict. The Catholic Church was founded by Christ Himself, I strongly believe that this gesture of the Pope would lead Catholics to have more faith in God, obey the commandment wholeheartedly,fear in God our heavenly Father that cultimate peace in the world. Let us pray that this year of the Year Faith, one of the best ever to be granted in the evangelization of the world.
As a devout Catholic, I am very glad this one is a true and genuine manifestations faith for us Catholics one, holy and apostolic Church.
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Our Lady of the Rosary coming to Fatima was much more than just another visit. The Miracle of the Sun, which was promised in advance, verified Our Lady’s message was an apocalyptic announcement. The Church’s success or failure would take place in the context of devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
All of the Popes since Pius XII have resisted this reality. The conciliar Popes have instead, insisted on a program based on ecumenism and indifferntism. The “Year of Faith” website lists nothing on the schedule that would alter this trend.
I pray that Oct. 13 will be the official proclamation of Mary as Mediatrix of all Graces. Heaven awaits this event.
What a wonderful year, “the Year of Faith” will be. God Bless our Holy Father. I’m looking forward to it. I hope it will bring a lot of fallen-away catholics back to the “Fold” of Christ. And what a beautiful thing to adore our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist at the same time all over the world on the feast of Corpus Christi.
I am becoming increasingly tired of the flowery language that has been coming out of the Vatican for years. Not to mention the mixed messages.
First, Vatican II is decried by many as not having been Holy Spirit inspired. Others say that council was misunderstood. Others say at least 3/4 of what happened at the council has not been unpacked, and we still don’t have all of it. Yet, we want to celebrate it? I see a disconnect.
Secondly, since Pope JPII, the Eucharist & the Mass has been emphasized to the point where THAT is the “source and summit” of everything it is to be Christian. Not faith. Not being born again and abiding in Jesus, growing in Him and living for Him, as Lord of our lives.
Churches are sometimes hard pressed to have full Masses, because priests are run ragged, wearing so many hats doing things like fundraising and making decisions about minutia, often covering two or three parishes, 30 miles apart. There is no time to teach the faith. It’s all about the liturgy. All about going to Mass to “get Jesus”, to “see Jesus”.
Who comes up with these Years of This and That? How about a “Year of Educating People in the Pews about the Bible” where it is written, “..all things will pass away but MY WORD will never pass away?”
I’ve talked with many Catholics, and most of them can’t hold an adult conversation about the Christian faith. It’s pathetic. Here in America, where Religious Freedom is at stake, it’s time for everyone to wake up. It is not business as usual. Someone needs to tell Rome.
This is just what we Catholics need—we are living in confusing times and many of us are in need of catechisis of the Mass, the Eucharist, and the Sacraments. A “Year of Faith” with leadership from Our Holy Father and his Holy Church is a wonderful way to renew ourselves. The Holy Spirit continues to prompt us and hopefully we’ll all respond snd help each other appreciate this great “gift of faith”.
@Terah James: I agree with you…when I was young the Church discouraged us from reading the Bible, because they did not want us to misinterpret it. They did this because [though we did have Catechism class in grade school], we did not bible study. As an adult I did go to a very good Bible study group for a while, [taught by a very good priest who had taught in a seminary] but then I moved. It is hard to read the Bible and interpret it in the right way. I met a new Baptist friend recently and it is amazing how she misinterpreted the Bible {for the little I knew] Also, I happened to like the changes of Vatican II with the Altar turned around, etc. I loved participating in the Worship of God, rather that just observing. Our Masses, along with the folk group music, were always dignified and beautiful. I am assuming that in some churches it was not. This was in W.Va. when we started receiving the Blessed Sacrament in our hands (reverently), yet at the same time, when I visited home in N.Y., as we entered the church they had us put the bread [Host} in a Chalice before it was consecrated. [this way they knew how many would receive Communion] I could not believe this & when I told my Pastor, he said he would never do such a thing.
I especially love the idea of the Blessed Sacrament being Adored all over the planet at the same time. I think that this is a very unifying opportunity. Yes all of us in the Catholic Tribe, as it were have many differences, but not this. We can all join and Adore the Blessed Sacrament. If this does not unite all of us for good then we need to have that info I guess. I think we will be filled with the Spirit and be able to evangelize better with our actions. As St. Francis said Preach the faith, even if you must use words. I know I mangaled that, sorry. Pax et Bonum
How and where do I find the “Mass for the New Evangelization”?
Is it published in Latin only?
Is there a reliable English transation, unlike the bad Novus Ordo translation we had to put up with for so many years?
[Edited by a moderator]
Archbishop Fisichella says: “priority will be given to prayer and especially to the Eucharist, as source and summit of all Christian life.” Ok. So has someone asked the Archbishop what exactly does this mean to the average pew sitting Catholic? Haven’t they already been giving “priority” to the Eucharist? So what’s about to change now? These initiatives of “Year of X” or “Year of Y” are pretty much ignored at the parish level especially if your Pastor is not on board.
I can’t wait. Thank you Holy Father.
Sounds like a terrific slate of events for the Year of Faith! I am particularly excited about the canonization of Bl. Kateri. I hope her story reminds us all of the preciousness of our faith and inspires us to the same bold and sincere witness as she gave.
Sue, you wrote, “I met a new Baptist friend recently and it is amazing how she misinterpreted the Bible {for the little I knew]”....
I’m curious to know what specifically she said that was incorrect, based on what we Catholics are taught? I ask, because Southern Baptist are conservative, and in many ways, in alignment with Catholics, as opposed to mainline Protestant denominations (those with women priests and encouraging homosexual leadership) that have gone apostate.
My reason for knowing is I think ALL Christians that believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God (Catholics too) need to join hands and work together on matters that would bring morals back to our country.
Focusing on interpretations of Scripture that are not important as are others that have no Eternal Value, and that are needed for salvation, need to be put aside.
It’s great that you met a new friend, and that you can talk about what it means to be Christian. Congratulations about that! We need to talk freely about our faith, and even to disagree, using Scripture to rein us all into God’s truth, so we can know what He thinks and feels about life.
First of all, she is an immigrant and I asked her if she was of the Southern or Northern Convention and she said neither. She is conservative ....She actually does not quote the Bible, per se’ but when something abt. the Catholics came up on TV she told me she did not like the Cath.Religion and hated the Pope. [she was in my home when she said that] I was real nice, trying to find out why. She acknowledges Jesus Christ as her Savior and loves Him. [but she has hate in her heart]...I haven’t known her long enough to point that out to her yet. When the Obamacare was mentioned on T.V., she stated she believes in contraception, [“you have to use your head”] but was against abortion and “it was wrong of the Pope to go to a country in S.Am. and tell the poor people to propagate.” She believes we [Catholics]worship idols and when I pointed out that she has pictures of her loved ones in her home, that also were icons of people she loved,etc, etc. [no response] When I said I don’t give to everyone advertising on T.V., but will give to the “street people” in our city, she said that was a Catholic thing, they don’t like to “give”. I certainly corrected her on that one….[with no response from her]. It is things of this sort. More, just criticism, though she invited me to her bible study group a number of times and had her pastor’s secretary invite me to their church.
I am originally from the North and never ran into this kind of thing until I moved South. I have lived in the South since 1962 and here there are quite a few churches that do not have a hierarchy. They are very closed-minded. The Catholic Church in her mother country was controlled by their government, and this has much to do with how she feels. She feels that this Administration is trying to control religion & much of our lives and I tend to agree and being in a similar situation in her mother country, I think she knows what she is talking about. I may not be able to quote the bible in most cases, but I know my religion. She is a good person, but evidently has had an uncomfortable childhood.
@ Sue (old): You said, “when I visited home in N.Y., as we entered the church they had us put the bread [Host} in a Chalice before it was consecrated. [this way they knew how many would receive Communion] I could not believe this & when I told my Pastor, he said he would never do such a thing.”
I have been to many churches that do this, although they usually have a little tongs to use, rather then fingers. It seems like a good idea, especially if they will not be able to reserve the consecrated Hosts after Mass and don’t want to consecrate too many. What is the problem? The hosts have not been consecrated yet. I am curious as to why your pastor said he would never do this.
@Margaret:Again this was the beginning of Vatican II. The Hosts were put into a Chalice by adults and children with their FINGERS and I found this unsanitary. I am assuming they do this in much larger parishes than what I have attended. [now using a tong] In taking Communion I prefer taking it in the hand as we were taught: you hold up both hands with the left on top, and when the priest puts the Host into your hand, you step aside still facing the Altar and place in on your own tongue, make the sign of the cross, turn & proceed to your pew. This takes less time that those who genuflect after Communion. Also as to receiving the Wine, even though the Priest wipes the Chalice, it is still unsanitary. [I had the job at one time of washing these cloths and it was very hard getting the lipstick stains out :o)] I much prefer dipping the Host or Bread into the Wine [the terminology of this leaves my 85 yrs old mind]
I know, you are going to say that no one every got sick taking from the Chalice but remember in this age of so many more immigrants entering our country many of the past diseases we conquered are coming back.
Amen, Sue (old): My wife and I do not allow our children to drink from the cup. A Eucharistic minister wiping the chalice 50x with the same cloth is totally ridiculous and unsanitary. I might add as well that while school officals promote steps to help our kids avoid getting sick during flu season, the diocese (and parishes) seem to be in fog about not shaking hands at the Mass “greeting” or “sign of peace” even when so many at Mass are coughing, sneezing and blowing their nose. Frankly, if you’re sick —keep your hands in your pocket or stay home.
@Sue - It’s kind of you to be so gentle and to show Christian charity, as you engage your immigrant friend in conversation. How admirable it is of you to take into consideration her background, and how her native country may affect her thinking today. Good job!! Great insight!!
Regarding that “hate” comment—could be she’s feeling what she believes is righteous anger. Even God hates some things. We are to hate what God hates. But of course, it’s always ungodly behavior & inaccurate teaching that we are to ‘hate’, but never people. Thank you for the details.
@In The Pew: It is beyond me why people with colds don’t just stay home. A friend of mine always wore gloves to church….she told me her hands are always cold ;o)....me thinks she did not want to touch other peoples hands who have colds, etc. One woman, yrs. ago,used to shake my hand and I’d almost yell, it hurt so much….I went home and told my non-Catholic husband and he proceeded to teach me how to shake hands so that your knuckles would not hurt….works too. Another thing I have wondered about…I have been to First Communion where the kids walk back from the Altar making faces after the dry wine they consumed. They could use sweet wine or just not allow the kids to take the wine. At one time we had a visiting priest who was an alcoholic and he told us he would be offering Communion with white grape juice. Worked out fine for everyone. Well, so much for little things.
Steve: Mary appeared at Fatima after the Miracle of the Sun not only as the Lady of the Rosary, but also as Our Lady of Sorrows, and Our lady of Mount Carmel as well I would suspect to show her sorrow and to explain that the Rosary and the Brown Scapular were the remedy to cure her sorrow and bring peace in the world. It is good that you mentioned Fatima because the world has never needed it more.
My biggest complaint about Vatican Council II is that before the council belief in the Real Presence was almost 100 percent. After the council it has scandalously dropped to an estimated 25 percent. My greatest wish for the year of faith is that we can recover what we lost after VCII. Renewal has not worked well, recovery could.
@Bob Rowland- my greatest wish for the Year of Faith is for Roman Catholic priests to begin to preach directly from the Bible, verse by verse, explaining what concepts mean to Catholics, who will have their Bibles with them every Sunday, looking up the verses, and keeping their priests on track, engaging in conversation about Scripture with each other, enough to teach those that don’t know Jesus.
What good is renewal or recovery, if overall, there is an ignorance of what is most important about being a Christian? God wants us to KNOW Him.
Neither renewal nor recovery will last. “All things will pass away, but my word will never pass away.”
For this year of faith: teach the word, in its fullness, verse by verse.
“Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
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