Year of Faith - Penzance Catholic Church website

With his Apostolic Letter, 'Porta fidei', of 11 October 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared a 'Year of Faith' beginning on 11 October 2012, the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican Council II, concluding on 24 November 2013, Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Universal King. to read more on the Vatican website and others, see links below

The Holy Father invited all Christians to come to a deeper understanding of the faith that has been handed on to them from the apostles, to grow in deeper friendship with the One who calls to life, and to grow in confidence so as to live out and witness to our faith in the world in which we are immersed. This 'Year of Faith' may be a real opportunity for us to rediscovery the beauty of knowing the friendship of Christ and to seek to draw others into that loving friendship. This Year, also allowed us to familiarise ourselves not only with the thoughts and reflections of the Second Vatican Council, but also the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

How well do you know your faith? How well do you know scripture? How confident are you in discussing your faith with others, even your family? We all need to know the Lord better, we all need to become even closer to him before that day when we shall see him as he really is! It is more difficult to really love someone that we do not know personally or that we do not know very well. It is very difficult to justify your faith to others if you are unsure of the true facts or that you cannot articulate them when asked. In order that we should all become more aware of the beauty and depth of the great grace of our faith, Pope Benedict has declared a Year of Faith to mark the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

The Year of Faith logo shows a boat representing the Church with the IHS motive making up the sail. IHS representing the name of Jesus and also recalling the legend that Constantine, the Roman Emperor, saw a vision of the Cross surrounded by the words ‘in hoc signo vinces’ in this sign you will conquer.

Local: Across the parish we watched a beautiful series of 10 DVD’s, 'Catholicism'. The DVD talks by Fr Robert Barron, Rector of Mundelein Seminary, Chicago, challenge us to discover a deeper meaning to our Christian faith. Fr. Philip. Catholicism, the journey of a lifetime. A series of 10 exciting DVDs on the Catholic Faith more info link 1. Amazed and Afraid –the Revelation of God become Man. 2. Happy Are We: the Teachings of Jesus. 3. The Ineffable Mystery of God: that than which nothing greater can be thought. 4. Our Tainted Nature’s Solitary Boast: Mary, Mother of God. 5. The Indispensable Men: Peter, Paul, and the Missionary Adventure. 6. A Body both Suffering and Glorious: the Mystical Union of Christ and the Church. 7. Word made flesh, True Bread of Heaven: the Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist. 8. A Vast Company of Witnesses: The Communion of Saints. 9. The Fire of His Love: Prayer and the Life of the Spirit. 10. World Without End: The Last Things.

Oct 2012, Pastoral Letter from Bishop Christopher Budd concerning 'The Year of Faith ' click to listen or download

Nov 2013, Pastoral Letter from Bishop Budd at the end of 'The Year of Faith ' click to listen or download (Solemnity of Christ the King)

LINKS external links should open automatically a new window / tab

Liturgy Office - Year of Faith resources
Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation - Year of Faith website
Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican link)
read the Catechism in a Year study the Catechism daily. Subscription is free.
read the Catechism online here

Vatican website links:

Porta Fidei: Apostolic Letter of Benedict XVI for the Indiction of the Year of Faith.
Recommendations for the Year of Faith - Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church - read online ("[The Compendium] is offered to all the faithful who wish to deepen their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of salvation... it is offered to every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in us and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes." John Paul II)
Documents of the Second Vatican Council
The Scriptures (NAB)

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last updated (links) August 2021 v1.14 ~ ê¿ê

Catechism 133 " The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful... to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."