Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.      What can I find on this site?

This site provides information and material which relates to the Year of Faith announced by Pope Benedict XVI for the universal Church. Specifically, the site contains:

a. Information about the initiatives promoted by the Holy See for the Year of Faith and related documentation

b. Reading material

c. News about the Year of Faith activities which are being prepared and taking place all over the world, based on reports that the various ecclesial groups have sent to the Organization Secretariat.

 

2.      Why a Year of Faith?

Pope Benedict XVI has called for this special year as an invitation to a “an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world” (Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei, 6). He hopes it will inspire in all believers, “the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope. It will also be a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is ‘the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed... and also the source from which all of its power flows’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10). At the same time, we make it our prayer that believers’ witness of life may grow in credibility. To rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed, (cf. Constituzione Apostolica, Fidei Depositum, 116) and to reflect on the act of faith, is a task that every believer must make his own, especially in the course of this Year” (Porta fidei, 9).

Although there will be many public celebrations and common confessions of faith, the specific aim of this year is that every Christian may rediscover “the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ” (Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei, 2).

The Pope has clarified the meaning and purpose of the Year of Faith in the Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei, published on October 11, 2011.

 

3.      When does the Year of the faith begin (and end)?

The Year of Faith begins on October 11, 2012 and will end on November 24, 2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Pope has chosen October 11, 2012 as the opening date because on this day two important anniversaries occur: the 50th anniversary of the opening of The Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

4.      Who organizes the Year of Faith?

As stated in the Pastoral Recommendations for the Year of Faith, published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the year will be lived at both the level of the universal Church and the level of individual dioceses and parishes. To coordinate the initiatives that are relevant to the universal Church and to give notice of the activities taking place all over the world, an Organizational Secretariat has been established under the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

 

5.      How can I participate in liturgies and celebrations with the Pope?

To attend Mass and other events that take place in Vatican City (St. Peter's Square, Basilica and Paul VI Hall) you will be able to find all of the necessary information on the website of the Prefecture of the Papal Household.

 

6.      How do I report the activities that are taking place in my diocese?

You can report events that are planned in your diocese by completing the form. The initiatives reported are being evaluated and those deemed of greatest interest will appear on the website.

Please use the form to suggest events

 

7.      How can I contact the Secretariat for the Year of Faith?

Please use the form in the 'contacts' section

 

8.  I cannot find the information I am looking for

If you cannot find what you are looking for, most likely this is not the right site, but maybe we can help. Visit the following links:

· Institutional information and documents from the Vatican: www.vatican.va

· News about the Pope and the Holy See: www.news.va, L'Osservatore Romano

· Accreditation (for press and photographers/videographers): Pontifical Council for Social Communications

· Participating in the celebrations in the Vatican: Prefecture of the Papal Household