Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt has requested that the priests and people of the Diocese of Greensburg participate in a Universal Holy Hour for the Year of Faith on June 2, 2013.  With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI declared that a "Year of Faith" would begin on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013.  

                         
                        October 11, 2012, was the first day of the Year of Faith, and was the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and that date was also the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  During the Year of Faith, Catholics have been asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.  This Year of Faith is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6).  

 
                         In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.  The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

 
                        As a part of the celebration of the Year of faith Catholics around the world are invited to participate in a Universal Holy Hour on Sunday June 2, 2013.  At Blessed Sacrament Cathedral this Holy Hour will be held immediately following the close of the 9:00 AM Mass and will conclude with reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 11:00 AM.  All are welcome to attend.