Archbishop John Nienstedt will preside at a solemn vespers service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, liturgically marking the beginning of the Year of Faith within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Vespers is the Latin term for the traditional evening prayer of the church.
The prayer at the basilica will include hymns, psalms and a homily by the archbishop “reflecting on the great gift of this coming year,” said Father John Paul Erickson, director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.
Pope Benedict XVI announced the special Year of Faith to help Catholics appreciate the gift of faith, deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their commitment to sharing faith with others.
The year begins Oct. 11 — the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council — and concludes Nov. 24, 2013, the feast of Christ the King. It also marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
“It will be a moment of grace and commitment to an even fuller conversion to God, to reinforce our faith in him and to proclaim him with joy to the people of our time,” the pope said.
For more about the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, turn to pages 11A-14A.
