Vatican City
(AsiaNews) - Just like 50 years ago, and the long procession of bishops
(pictured) that even visually marked the beginning of Vatican II, on Thursday,
October 11, a long procession of bishops will mark the beginning of the Year of Faith.
They
are answering the call of Pope Benedict XVI, who wanted to unite the start of
this special year with the commemoration of the beginning of the Council. "The
choice - said this morning .. Bishop Rino Fisichella, president of the
Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization - is no accident. The Council
anniversary is an opportunity to return to the event that had a decisive mark
on the life the
Church of the twentieth century and to test the impact of its teachings over
the past decades and the next year that will mark the Church's commitment to
the new evangelization. "
"The
fiftieth anniversary of the Council, therefore, deserves to be not only
remembered, but celebrated by the Church. The Year of Faith is a good
opportunity to revive the faith of believers and animate
them with a renewed spirit of evangelization more convinced than ever. "
"In
light of this, the celebration of the inauguration of the Year of Faith
deserves to be explained, which is strongly impregnated with signs that evoke
the Council." At
the opening of the rite excerpts will be read from 4 conciliar constitutions that
have marked the work of the council and renewal in the life of the Church. Then,
the long procession in the collective back to October 12, 1962 will be repeated.
It
will be composed of all the bishops taking part in the solemn celebration. These
include the Fathers taking part in the Synod, all the presidents of Episcopal
conferences in the world and 14 Council Fathers. "70
Council Fathers who are still alive had been invited, but old age or health
problems have prevented them from being with us. They wrote, however,
confirming their participation and their spiritual support at this moment in the
life of the Church. "
"The
procession will be followed by the enthronement of the Word of God. This also recalls a significant moment in the
work of the Council when, in formal sessions in the basilica of St. Peter, the
Holy Scriptures was processed and placed at the center of the gathering to reconcile
and remind
everyone that service to the Word of God remains the center of the Church. The same
lectern and the same Holy Scriptures of the work of the Council will be used.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration there will be a further sign to
indicate that the Council teaching is still relevant nad merits further study".
And
those Messages to the People of God, which Paul VI consigned at the closing of the
Council will be once consigned by Pope Benedict XVI to different categories of
people. To
Governments, the Men of science and thought, to Artists, to Women, to the
Workers, the Poor, the Sick and Suffering, the Young and Catechists.