Year of Faith

Today, 10/11/12,  the Holy Father celebrated Mass to officially begin the Year of Faith.

There are many ways to participate.  For starters, pray!!  If you are not in the habit of praying daily, start now.  The Lord's Prayer is the perfect prayer because it comes from Jesus, himself.  It's a great place to start.

If you do pray already, do you do a morning offering?

Here is one I like:

Oh Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of Mass throughout the world. I offer them for the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, the reparation for sin and the union of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops, of all apostles of prayer and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father for this month.  (I add) and for the intentions of Our Lady.

Do stop to pray at noon.  The Angelus is a great one for the middle of the day.

What about the hour of mercy: 3:00 (a.m. or p.m.)   A six minute Chaplet of Divine Mercy is easy.

How about Mass?  Do you go more than once a week?  Try to get there on a weekday.  Jesus is always ready to nourish you with His word and Himself.

Try a different church for Mass, perhaps a National Shrine or your Cathedral.

I would encourage you to read Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter for the indication for the Year of Faith. (He's worried about us!!)

The catechism in small daily chunks is being offered to you at Read the Catechism in a Year | flocknoteflocknote.com.  The site is a bit slow right now because of traffic volume but once you get there just give them your email address and they will send you a chunk a day to start reading.  (I already read mine for today and it's not too long!)

Prayers for you this Year of Faith.  Let's live it!!