Catholics throughout the world will begin observing a Year of Faith on October 11, 2012 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Last year, in his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (Door of Faith), Pope Benedict XVI called for a Year of Faith (October 11, 2012 – November 24, 2013) to mark these important events in the Church’s modern history and to strengthen the faith of all Catholics and draw the world to faith by their example.
Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, will celebrate an opening Mass for the Year of Faith on Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 5 p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church in Catonsville. Parishes throughout the Archdiocese will bless church doors the following weekend, October 13-14, in observance of the first Sunday of the Year of Faith and to symbolize the Church’s openness to active and inactive Catholics.
The Archbishop will unveil a full schedule of events and local observances for the Year of Faith, including a new Archdiocese of Baltimore smart phone “app” on Thursday, October 11 at 12 p.m. at the offices of The Catholic Review, 880 Park Ave., Baltimore.
The Second Vatican Council, which lasted three years, officially began on October 11, 1962. The Council is credited with ushering in a period of renewal for the Church and its impact—from how Mass is celebrated to the increased role of the laity to the Church’s relationship with other Christians and non-Christians—is still felt today.