In his Apostolic Letter ‘Porta Fidei’, Pope Benedict XVI declared that a Year of Faith will begin on 11th October 2012 and conclude on 24th November 2013 as a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Saviour of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). 

The first day of the Year of Faith is the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and also the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II which have had a huge influence on our thinking, our worship and our relationships with others.  We are also asked to use the Catechism, of the Catholic Church which the Pope has described as  “a precious and indispensable tool” in our renewed efforts to deepen our knowledge of the faith.

What will happen in this Year of Faith?

There will be various special events and liturgies in Rome, notably a Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation in October 2012.  At a national level, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland will celebrate Masses to mark the year’s opening and closing. It is anticipated that other events will be organised at diocesan and parish level to deepen knowledge of the faith and encourage use of the Catechism.  News of events and of new resources will be provided locally and on various websites, most significantly www.annusfidei.va which provides links to a range of documents and resources.

For details of how schools might participate, read here: Year of Faith