Pope Francis to Celebrate Mass on Sixth Sunday of the Word of God

Vatican City, January 22, 2025: Pope Francis will preside over a special Mass on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate the sixth Sunday of the Word of God. The announcement was made in a statement from the Dicastery for Evangelization released by the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday.

Instituted by Pope Francis in 2019, the Sunday of the Word of God is an event, celebrated annually on the third Sunday of Ordinary Time. The event was instituted to emphasize the importance of Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church.

The theme for this year’s edition of Sunday of the Word of God is “I hope in Your Word.” It has been drawn from the book of Psalms. In line with tradition, the Holy Father will distribute copies of the Gospel of Luke to attendees after the liturgy.

Strengthening Faith Through Scripture

During the celebration, Pope Francis will confer the ministry of Lector upon 40 lay faithful from various nations. This diverse group includes participants from Albania, Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, the Philippines, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Poland, and Slovenia. Each will receive a copy of the Nova Vulgata Bible as part of the rite.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, emphasized the transformative power of Scripture in his message for the occasion. “Scripture inspires love for God and enables us to encounter Him more deeply in our daily lives,” he said.

Pastoral Resources for Deeper Engagement

To support spiritual growth, the Dicastery’s Section for Fundamental Questions of Evangelization in the World has released a free liturgical-pastoral guide online. Available in six languages, the guide offers meditations, articles, and practical suggestions for engaging with the Bible in personal, family, and community settings. The guide can be downloaded from the official website evangelizatio.va.

Ticket Details

The faithful who wish to attend the Papal Mass for the sixth Sunday of the Word of God can collect tickets starting Thursday, January 23, at the Jubilee 2025 Infopoint on Via della Conciliazione No. 7. Tickets are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Courtesy: Vatican News