Year of Faith begins

Pope opens Annus Fidei, calls for return to Vatican II documents

Giancarlo Giuliani of Catholic Press Photo photographs Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 11. Giuliani, a longtime contributor to Catholic News Service, is one of three news photographers still living who photographed the Second Vatican Council. CNS photo / Paul Haring.

Here is a Catholic News Agency story about the opening of the Year of Faith in Rome with a call by Pope Benedict XVI for a new evangelization rooted in an authentic interpretation of the documents of the Second Vatican Council.

"I have often insisted on the need to return, as it were, to the 'letter' of the Council, that is, to its texts, also to draw from them its authentic spirit, and (it is) why I have repeated that the true legacy of Vatican II is to be found in them," the Pope said Oct. 11 to approximately 30,000 pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for Mass at the opening of the Year of Faith.

In scenes deliberately reminiscent of the opening of the Second Vatican Council Oct. 11, 1962, the Mass began with a grand procession of over 400 bishops from around the world. During the liturgy, the same book of the Gospels that was used throughout the three years of the council was placed on the same golden throne that cradled it 50 years ago.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.