Precisely in order to give renewed impetus to the mission of the entire Church of leading men out of the desert in which they often find themselves towards the place of life, the friendship with Christ who gives to us life in fullness, I wish to announce in this Eucharistic celebration that I have decided to proclaim a "Year of Faith" [first anticipated in June], which I will be able to illustrate with a related Apostolic Letter. This "Year of Faith" will begin on October 11, 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the II Vatican Council, and will end on November 24, 2013, Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe. It will be a moment of grace and effort for an always fuller conversion to God, to reinforce our faith in Him, and to announce Him joyfully to the man of our time.
Benedict XVI
October 16, 2011
