We have just started the much anticipated Year of Faith through which, Pope Benedict XVI, invites us to rediscover the treasure of our faith, becoming more grounded in it and therefore more authentic witnesses to Christ.
During this special year, the Missionaries of Divine Revelation have initiated a number of special projects along the same themes that the Holy Father has requested.
For the Year of Faith we have the privilege of accompanying parishes and pilgrims on a special guided tour of Faith and Art in the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica which culminates in the profession of faith at St Peter’s tomb! We will conduct the tours in 3 languages: English, Italian and Spanish and the Vatican Museums has donated free entry for those participating in this particular visit that will take place on a designated day (Thursday in English) each week. We hope that these visits will transmit that precious pearl of the faith, the Eternal Beauty, Jesus Christ, using the centuries of Christian art represented on the walls, paintings and very physical edifice of the Basilica and the Museum.
To find out more about this tour or to book a visit, you can visit the Vatican Museums official Web site under the section with the logo of the Year of Faith.
For those based in Rome, October will see the start of our Catechesis with Art programme and by visiting the various ancient Basilicas we will hear the testimony of the faith through the centuries of Christian history represented within the walls of these historic sites. These first Christians continued to profess their faith in Christ and lived in total accordance to the Truth, notwithstanding the difficulties of their times and so they made St Paul’s words resound through them: “For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.” (Phil 1:21)
Further afield, our programme of Catechesis for young people using the YOU CAT has just started in England in conjunction with the Birmingham Diocesan Vocations Office. During this year groups of young people will have the opportunity to pray and meditate on the truths of the faith contained in this wonderful summary of the Catholic Faith that has lasted intact over 2,000 years guided by a programme developed by the Missionaries of Divine Revelation! We hope that as the year progresses our groups will fully embrace the Holy Father’s desire that young people will become “more deeply rooted in the faith […] so that they can engage the challenges and temptations of this time with strength and determination.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Forward You Cat)
We encourage you all to take some time during this year to study and meditate on the truths of the faith – at home, in the parish or by coming on pilgrimage – maybe even to Rome! The Missionaries of Divine Revelation pray that this Year of Faith will bring you much fruit and that you will discover or rediscover the Mystery of the faith who is ever present and ever new: Jesus Christ.
Let us pray for the help of Mary, Virgin of Revelation, so that she will help us to welcome Christ during this year and renew our faith in Him. Let us ask Her, Our Mother, with a humble heart to take us by the hand and help us to cross the threshold of the “door of faith” remembering that, as the Holy Father said, when we do we “set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime!”
God Bless Us
And The Virgin Protect Us