Ardent love compels

 

Rembrandt ~ Face of Christ

 

 

"The more ardent the love for the Eucharist in the hearts of the

Christian people, the more clearly will they recognize

the goal of all mission:  to bring Christ to others.

 

Not just a theory or a way of life inspired by Christ, but the gift

of His very Person.  Anyone who has not shared the Truth of love

with his brothers and sisters has not yet given enough."

 

~ Pope Benedict XVI

 

 

The fullness of the journey...

"In this Year of Faith may God show His face

to all who seek Him with a sincere heart."~ POPE BENEDICT XVI 

"Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The celebration of Lent, in the context of the Year of Faith, offers us a valuable opportunity to meditate on the relationship between faith and charity:  ...    ...

 

The relationship between these two virtues (faith and charity) resembles that between the two fundamental sacraments of the Church: Baptism and Eucharist. Baptism (sacramentum fidei) precedes the Eucharist (sacramentum caritatis), but is ordered to it, the Eucharist being the fullness of the Christian journey.

In a similar way, faith precedes charity, but faith is genuine only if crowned by charity. Everything begins from the humble acceptance of faith (“knowing that one is loved by God”), but has to arrive at the truth of charity (“knowing how to love God and neighbour”), which remains for ever, as the fulfillment of all the virtues (cf. 1 Cor 13:13)."

Excerpt from Lenten Message 2013, Pope Benedict XVI

  FULL TEXT: Click here: ZENIT - Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten Message

Seeking the face of Jesus

Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.  Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"  Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O LORD.  You have filled my heart with greater joy... Psalm 4: 6, 7a

 

“We want this Year to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope. It will also be a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is ‘the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; ... and also the source from which all its power flows.’ At the same time, we make it our prayer that believers’ witness of life may grow in credibility. To rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed, and to reflect on the act of faith, is a task that every believer must make his own, especially in the course of this Year.”

 

 

From “Porta fidei,” Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter

declaring the Year of Faith, made public Oct. 17, 2011.

The Year of Faith will take place from Oct. 11, 2012 - Nov. 24, 2013

 

 

Preparing for the Year of Faith

Randolph Air Force Base Chapel, San Antonio

"We want this Year to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.

It will also be a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, which is 'the summit towards which the activity of the Church is directed; ... and also the source from which all its power flows.'

At the same time, we make it our prayer that believers' witness of life may grow in credibility. To rediscover the content of the faith that is professed, celebrated, lived and prayed, and to reflect on the act of faith, is a task that every believer must make his own, especially in the course of this Year."

From "Porta fidei," Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter

declaring the Year of Faith, made public Oct. 17, 2011.

The Year of Faith: Oct. 11, 2012 - Nov. 24, 2013