The Church will celebrate a Year of Faith, from Oct. 11, 2012 to Nov. 24, 2013

With his Apostolic Letter of Oct. 11, 2011, “Porta Fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI declared that a “Year of Faith” will begin on Oct. 11, 2012 and conclude on Nov. 24, 2013.

Oct. 11, the first day of the Year of Faith, is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and also the 20th anniversary of the publication 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 and the catechism so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.

“…They called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith…” (Acts 14:27). In the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that God has opened the door of faith for the early church. The Year of Faith is an opportunity for every Catholic to turn toward Jesus Christ, encounter him in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and rediscover the faith and church.

The Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world" (“Porta Fidei,” no. 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” ‘is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called upon to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his church.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has provided pages on its website with videos and links to a variety of resources to help Catholics renew their baptismal call by living out the everyday moments of their lives with faith, hope and love. Visit http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/new-evangelization/year-of-faith/index.cfm to better understand what the Year of Faith is all about.