POPE FRANCIS In contrast, faith THE FRUITS OF FAITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES brings a new firm- Faith is fruitful: the sign of our faith is the measure of www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/ ness to life. “Precisely our joy. The saints have all been people who were filled documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen- because it is linked with the joy of the Lord, and this joy bursts forth from fidei_en.html The Light to love (see Gal 5:6), their lives in extraordinary ways. Mary is the preeminent the light of faith is model of faith. She The Faith. Pope Benedict XVI. (Our Sunday Visitor, of Faith concretely placed as took to heart all that 2013) the service of justice, she had heard and seen, law, and peace” (51). and the word bore fruit Truth for Your Mind Love for Your Heart: Satisfying Strengthened by faith, in her life. So we, too, Your Hunger for God. Alfred McBride, O.Praem. (Our we can build families, are called to ponder the Sunday Visitor, 2010) built on divine love, faith we have received, because we perceive a that the fruits of faith Deus Caritas Est (“God Is Love”), encyclical, Pope plan bigger than our might shine out from Benedict XVI (2005) own ideas and under- our lives. Pope Francis Inc. takings. Without the encourages us to turn Spe Salvi (“Saved in Hope”), encyclical, Pope Benedict Alessia Giuliani/CPP/POLARIS trustworthy love of to Mary, and concludes XVI (2007) God, human unity would be based only on utility, “not Lumen Fidei with a on the goodness of living together, not on the joy which prayer we can say to her: Shutterstock Only.Visitor, the mere presence of others can give” (51). Our faith To view PDFs of additional pamphlets or order bulk copies helps us build societies of hope and provides meaning in Mother, help our faith! of this pamphlet, go to www.osvparish.com/pamphlets the face of human suffering. Open our ears to hear God’s word and to recognize his voice and call. Finally, Pope Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps, ReviewSunday Francis encourages to go forth from our own land 1-800-348-2440 • Fax: 1-800-498-6709 • www.osv.com us to speak publicly and to receive his promise. For Our about our faith in Help us to be touched by his love, Copyright © by Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. the living God so that we may touch him in faith. No part of this pamphlet may be reprinted or reproduced in any form. Inventory No. P1560 • ISBN: 978-1-61278-754-1 that his glory might Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him shine through all life Nihil Obstat and to believe in his love, Msgr. Michael Heintz, Ph.D. in the world: “Could especially at times of trial, Censor Librorum Imprimatur Thinkstock it be the case . . . that beneath the shadow of the cross, ✠ Kevin C. Rhoades Copyright we are the ones who are ashamed to call God our God? when our faith is called to mature. Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend That we are the ones who fail to confess him as such in Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One. e Scripture citations used in this work are taken from the Second Catholic Edition of the our public life, who fail to propose the grandeur of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV), copyright © 1965, 1966, and 2006 by the Division Remind us that those who believe are never alone. of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States life in common which he makes possible?” (55). Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. that he may be light for our path. US $15.95 How do you think faith strengthens society? How might And may this light of faith always increase in us, speaking of God publicly change our society — and our until the dawn of that undying day lives — for the better? which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord! (60)

7/13 Romano, Photo via Newscom Photo: REUTERS/Osservato Cover Lumen Fidei For Review Only. Copyright Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. FAITH: A FIRM FOUNDATION ability. In Christ’s suffering and death on the cross, the Indeed, as Pope Francis notes, “it is impossible to Faith is often described as a journey. Pope Francis depth of his love for us is made manifest. And in his res- believe on our own” (39). Communion is vital because reminds us that faith is our foundation, grounding us in a urrection, he shows us that this love can even illuminate faith is handed down in the living memory of Tradition. chaotic world. Through faith, we learn both the memory the gloom of death! Yet the faith that is communicated through the Church of the past (the story of salvation) and the future God is more than just an idea. It is a living faith and a “new promises to us. This light of faith shines brightly on our A real encounter with Jesus changes us. As Pope light born of an present experience: the hopes and fears, the joys and suf- Francis says in Lumen Fidei, “Those who believe are encounter with the Shutterstock fering of daily life. Faith awakens us to a relationship with transformed by the love to which they have opened their true God, a light “I have come as light into the world, that whoever God, the source and end of all things, and to a deeper hearts in faith” (21). It is then that we begin to see the which touches us at believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46). In meaning in our lives. deepest meaning in life and God’s tremendous love for the core of our very John’s Gospel, Christ reveals himself to be the true light, the world. Through our encounter with Christ, we begin being” (40). which dispels all darkness. In his powerful first encyclical, Knowledge is vital to faith as well, to see others with the eyes of Christ. Lumen Fidei (“The Light of Faith”), Pope Francis exhorts Pope Francis writes, for “faith This living faith us, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to carry this light of faith without truth does not save” comes forth through

to the ends of the earth: (24). Yet, in today’s world, we How has your relationship with Jesus the Sacraments and Brand X Pictures X Brand tend to separate truth from changed you? What does it mean to see others has been handed There is an urgent need, then, to see once again that faith. Truth, we imagine, is with the eyes of Christ? down through the Creed, the Ten Commandments, faith is a light, for once the flame of faith dies out, all found in science and that and the Our Father. These four elements comprise what other lights begin to dim. The light of faith is unique, which can be proven, while Francis calls the “storehouse of memory” (46) of the since it is capable of illuminating every aspect of faith is seen as subjectively THE COMMUNION OF FAITH Christian faith. human existence. A light this powerful cannot come different for each person. But To be human is to be in relationship. As from ourselves, but from a more primordial source. (4) without truth, our faith would be much as modern technology has convinced us And yet, though we are unified in faith, our unity does simply a beautiful story rather than otherwise, we are not solitary creatures creating our not come at the expense of each person’s personal rela- the source of all reality, life, and love. identities as individuals apart from communities. So tionship with God. When we live in service to others in too for faith: “Faith is not a private matter, a completely the body, we come into our own and become truly who individualistic notion, or a personal opinion” (22). By its we are meant to be: God’s own. When we have received As you think back upon your faith journey, who has nature, faith opens us to the life of the Church, and its the light of faith, it is impossible to keep this gift for our- shared the light of Christ with you? How might you share place is within her communion. selves. the light of faith with others?

How has participating in the life of the Church helped your THE LIGHT OF faith to grow? When have you most needed your faith? THE WORLD The story of salvation is a GALAZKA/SIPA story of God’s fidelity to his FAITH HELPS US BUILD SOCIETIES “The Light of Faith” is a historic letter. Pope Francis people, and his fidelity is strong Faith trusts in God’s merciful love, calling us to humil- has called it “the work of four hands” because the first and lasting. We have faith in ity and courage. The temptation of the modern world is draft was written by Pope Benedict XVI as a companion God because he has shown to build our lives on the foundation of money, power, to his other encyclicals on the theological virtues of hope himself to be faithful to us. beauty, or knowledge. Yet, without a clear goal, life (Spe Salvi) and love (Deus Caritas Est). When it was not Jesus Christ is the ulti- becomes a series of “unconnected instants” (13), search- finished before Pope Benedict left office, Pope Francis mate manifestation of ing only for gratification and comfort. W.P. Wittman W.P. took the text and carried it forward to completion. God’s love and reli- Center Photo: ANDREAS SOLAROANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images For Review Only. Copyright Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.