1. To explore important themes of our faith. To Reflect on the Encyclical of Pope Francis “Lumen Fidei”

2. Daily Schedule  Presentation of some sections of the Encyclical Lumen Fidei  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament

3. Daily Schedule  3-Minute Breaks  What was new or interesting to you?  What was not clear to you?  Prayer Box  OMI = Oblates of Mary Immaculate

4. Lumen Fidei "The Light of Faith" is the first encyclical of Pope Francis Signed on 29 June 2013, on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Published on 5 July 2013, almost four months after his election to the papacy.

5. Lumen Fidei www.vatican.va goto Encyclicals www.usccb.org goto Bookstore

6. What is an Encyclical? Apostolic Exhortation Apostolic Encyclical Apostolic Constitution Definition of a Dogma

7. Why did Pope Francis write it? # 7: These considerations on faith... are meant to supplement what Benedict XVI had written in his encyclical letters on charity and hope. He himself (Benedict XVI) had almost completed a first draft of an encyclical on faith.

8. Why did Pope Francis write it? For this I am deeply grateful to him, and as his brother in Christ, I have taken up his fine work and added a few contributions of my own.

9. Lumen Fidei The theme of the encyclical: FAITH. It completes the series of papal documents started by Pope Benedict XVI: Charity (“Deus Caritas Est”) Hope (“Spes Salvi”) Hence: Faith, Hope and Charity

10. Expressions of our faith Nicene Creed or the Creed adopted at the First Council of Nicaea (325), revised at First Council of Constantinople (381), in response to dogmatic issues which arose about 300 years after Jesus died.

11. Expressions of our faith "Apostles' Creed" (c. 180) It is believed that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, each of the Twelve Apostles contributed an article to the formulation of this creed.

12. Faith is a relationship “Expressions” of our faith vs. our life in faith. God is Love and by its very nature Love shares love It is God who starts the relationship. Faith like all relationships, develops over time which includes “ups and downs”

13. Faith is a gift As Saint Paul puts it: "By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8). A gift is undeserved. It is given out of pure love.

14. Faith is a gift Response: A life of Gratefulness Some gifts come special delivery, others arrive late, or damaged, etc. Need to unpack the gift

15. Faith is a call #4: Faith is born of an encounter with the living God who calls us Example of Abraham’s call, the “Father of our faith”

16. Faith is a call Faith comes through hearing, not so much seeing God is not just a god of a particular place Our God wherever we listen to Him

17. Faith is a journey Faith is not an intellectual exercise but the “following of a call” to go on a journey of life. Faith is a light, guiding our journey through time. Faith does not remove the darkness but gives us a light to guide us on our journey

18. Faith is a journey Journey: Leaving our comfort zone Journey: Traveling light GPS

19. Faith makes us a Children of God #19: In accepting the gift of faith, believers become a new creation; they receive a new being; as God’s children, they are now "sons in the Son". The phrase "Abba, Father” is the core of the Christian experience (cf. Rom 8:15). Our Father

20. Quieting Down In faith come into the presence of God Nothing happens by chance. There is a reason for my being here tonight Why did God create me? To know, love and serve Him... but also to share His divine life with us.. What is He trying to tell me now?