Pope Benedict the XVI has declared October 11 2012, through November 24, 2013, the Year of Faith. Fittingly, the Year of Faith begins on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. And, I find it interesting that October 11 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Pope’s declaration about the Year of Faith came in his apostolic letter entitled Porta Fidei (The Door of Faith). He began his announcement by telling us that the “door of faith is always open for us” (PF, 1) and that this “door opens into the fullness of the saving mystery revealed by God” (PF, 10). The Pope encourages us to go through the door of faith in order to deepen our understanding of our Catholic Faith as a way to grow in our personal relationship with God. He points out that “only through believing does faith grow and become stronger” (PF, 7).So all of this got me thinking about what I can do during the Year of Faith. I have always wanted to learn more about the Saints and to spend more time with the Catechism. Maybe this is the year that I commit to reading some of the spiritual classics and the writings of the Church Fathers. I know there is much more I can discover about the Desert Fathers and Mothers as well as Benedictine life. Wow! So much to do…good thing I have a special year in which to do it!In this Year of Faith the Pope is calling us to “aim at faith” (2 Tim 2:22) in order to “make our relationship with Christ the Lord increasingly firm” (PF, 15). I told you my plan that, God willing and Spirit guiding, will help me grow in firmness of faith. So, what about you? What do you plan to do during this Year of Faith?
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Sister Lisa MaurerSister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa made her first Monastic Profession in August 2009 and on July 11, 2012, she made her Perpetual Profession. Her first ministry was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is the Mission Integration Manager of the Benedictine Health System.See all of Sister Lisa’s posts. |