THE CLOSING OF THE YEAR OF FAITH:
CELEBRATING THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
WHEREAS, in his encyclical Redemptoris Missio, Blessed John Paul II called the Church to commit all of her energies to a “New Evangelization” and repeatedly made similar calls to the faithful to rekindle their desire to share the Church’s teachings with the ardor that followed Pentecost; and
WHEREAS, Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI declared October 11, 2012, to November 24, 2013 the “Year of Faith,” during which the faithful have been called to be agents of the New Evangelization by increasing their works of charity, education, and discipleship, so as to demonstrate the power of Christ’s Church and the importance of leading a life guided by faith; and
WHEREAS, His Holiness Pope Francis has continued the work of his predecessors in celebrating the Year of Faith and proclaiming the New Evangelization; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 2012, the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops met to discuss the theme of “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith;” and
WHEREAS, Pope Francis has announced that a post-Synodal exhortation will be released at the closing of the Year of Faith; and
WHEREAS, Pope Francis, on July 5, 2013, as part of the Year of Faith, promulgated his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, which reminds us that Faith is the light that must illumine every aspect of human existence; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Year of Faith, the Knights of Columbus will sponsor a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on September 8, 2013, the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica’s bell carillon, a gift of the Knights of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Year of Faith will conclude this year on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, reinforcing the Church’s mission to announce the Gospel to all the Nations and to every People with the desire for all to know the Lord.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, as Knights of Columbus, during this Year of Faith and beyond, we pledge to continue our 131-year tradition of lay Catholic leadership and thereby serve as true agents of the New Evangelization; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will continue to lead the catechetical and spiritual formation of our members through our Catholic Information Service and its series on the New Evangelization; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that we will exemplify our principle of charity by promoting good works through which our love of God and neighbor will be evident; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that through our principle of unity we will join together to develop programs for our councils and communities so that they serve as beacons of light for the Universal Church; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that our spirit of fraternity will form the cornerstone of the New Evangelization in the countries where we are active and thereby aid our bishops and priests in this great work.