porta fidei – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

Since October 11, 2012, the Catholic Church throughout the world has been observing a special Year of Faith. In his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (“The Door of Faith”), Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics to experience a conversion — to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.

The pope noted that the “door of faith” is opened at Baptism, but during this Year of Faith Catholics were asked to open it again, to walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

The first day of the Year of Faith coincided with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publishing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict asked Catholics to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism to deepen their knowledge of the faith.

Encountering Christ in the liturgy

One of the great contributions of the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy is the brief synthesis on Christ’s presence in the Church’s prayer.

“Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations,” (art. 7). Christ’s presence in the Mass is multifaceted and mysterious, but there are four specific ways named by the Council — in the Eucharistic species, the Word of God, the person of the priest, and in the gathered community in which “the Church prays and sings” (art. 7).

Year of Faith

On November 14, 2012

Patrick Gorman

Regarding the constitution on the sacred liturgy

The liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council was grounded in centuries of Church tradition, in the Council of Trent, in the writings of the popes of the 20th Century, and in developing scholarship and practice throughout the world.

The first document promulgated by the Second Vatican Council was the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. This document is one of only four constitutions issued by the council. Constitutions are the most authoritative and important documents issued by the council.

Editorial

On November 7, 2012February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler

Witness of charity: They will know we are Christians by our love

Hurricane Sandy left plenty of devastation in her wake, causing destruction in many countries and leading to at least 68 deaths.

Whenever these disasters occur, people seem to forget their differences and unite in a common purpose to help those in need.

We can especially be proud of Catholic Charities USA — the umbrella organization of Catholic Charities agencies in dioceses throughout our country.

Editorial

On November 7, 2012February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Witness of charity: They will know we are Christians by our love

Hurricane Sandy left plenty of devastation in her wake, causing destruction in many countries and leading to at least 68 deaths.

Whenever these disasters occur, people seem to forget their differences and unite in a common purpose to help those in need.

We can especially be proud of Catholic Charities USA — the umbrella organization of Catholic Charities agencies in dioceses throughout our country.

Year of Faith

On November 1, 2012

Patrick Gorman

From Trent to Vatican II — ongoing reform

While the liturgical reforms promulgated by the Second Vatican Council were unexpected by many people, the seeds of the reform actually were planted centuries earlier at the Council of Trent (1545-1563).

The Council of Trent was a monumental moment for the Church. Held in the decades following the Reformation, the council sought to define, unite, and codify many of the Church’s dogmas and practices. In terms of the liturgy, the most significant task that they accomplished was directing the pope to standardize and revise the books for the celebration of Mass.

Year of Faith

On November 1, 2012

Patrick Gorman

From Trent to Vatican II — ongoing reform

While the liturgical reforms promulgated by the Second Vatican Council were unexpected by many people, the seeds of the reform actually were planted centuries earlier at the Council of Trent (1545-1563).

The Council of Trent was a monumental moment for the Church. Held in the decades following the Reformation, the council sought to define, unite, and codify many of the Church’s dogmas and practices. In terms of the liturgy, the most significant task that they accomplished was directing the pope to standardize and revise the books for the celebration of Mass.

Propagation of Faith

On October 11, 2012

Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer

Followers of Christ are all called to be missionaries

“Go teach all nations all things that I have commanded you.” These words of Our Divine Savior remind us of the share that all Christians have in the mission of Jesus.

When Our Lord read from the prophecy of Isaiah at his first public appearance in the synagogue at Nazareth, He quoted: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, release of captives, recovering of sight for the blind, and to announce a year of favor from the Lord.”

Then He said, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your midst.”

Editorial

On October 11, 2012February 15, 2022

Mary C. Uhler, Catholic Herald Staff

Welcoming the Year of Faith: Rediscover the faith you received at Baptism. Share it with others.

Those of us who are “cradle Catholics” — baptized as babies, raised in Catholic homes, educated in Catholic schools — may wonder why we should participate in the Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI.

We’re already believers, so this Year of Faith must be for other people, right?

Wrong!

Experiencing a new conversion

In announcing the Year of Faith, the Holy Father said it is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei, 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for all Catholics — even cradle Catholics — to experience a new conversion. It’s an opportunity to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.

The pope has described this conversion as opening the “door of faith.” This door was originally opened at our Baptism, but many of us weren’t aware of what was happening at that time.

During the Year of Faith we’re called to open it again, walk through it, and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ and his Church.

Year of Faith

On October 11, 2012

Patrick Delaney

What is the year of faith all about?

On Thursday of this week (October 11), the Church will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th Anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s promulgation with the initiation of a very special Year of Faith.

In his apostolic letter Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI called for this special year —which will conclude on November 24, 2013 — with the primary aim “to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope.” He also intends this year to be “a good opportunity to intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist,” and to “intensify the witness of charity.”