Word of God Sunday
“The relationship between the Risen Lord, the community of believers and sacred Scripture is essential to our identity as Christians. Without the Lord who opens our minds to them, it is impossible to understand the Scriptures in depth. Yet the contrary is equally true: without the Scriptures, the events of the mission of Jesus and of his Church in this world would remain incomprehensible.”
(Pope Francis, Aperuit Illis 1.)
Resources for the Sunday of the Word of God
January 24, 2021
The Sunday of the Word of God has been added to the Church’s liturgical calendar for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time. Pope Francis suggests that parishes and other Catholic leaders undertake “initiatives to make the sacred Scripture more accessible to believers, to increase their gratitude for so great a gift, and to help them to strive daily to
embody and bear witness to its teaching” Apperuit Illis No. 1).
The Catholic Biblical School offers opportunities for adults to know and appreciate God’s Word in their lives. Many of our offerings come at low- or no- cost: https://catholicedaohct.org/prospective-students. Contact BJ Daly Horell for more information: catholic.biblical.school@aohct.org.
The OEEC also recommends the following Word of God Sunday resources, suitable for families, individuals or communities of faith:
Aperuit Illis Apostolic Letter
Aperuit Illis Apostolic Letter issued “moto proprio” by the Supreme Pontiff, Francis. This brief document would make an excellent focus for youth and adult faith group discussions in Catholic schools and parishes and could also be used to invite parish staff, catechists and school teachers to renewed commitment to reading the Bible regularly. Download a copy of the document.
Resources from the Vatican Catholic Biblical Federation
You’ll find materials in English, Español, Française, Deutsch, Português, Italiano, and Polski, including:
- Note on the Sunday of the Word of God (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments)
- Liturgical - Pastoral Resources 2021 (Vatican)
- Sunday of the Word of God 2021 - activities
- Resources for the Sunday of the Word of God - downloadable document
- Creating a Bible Corner in your Home
- Promotional Materials (Includes logo, posters in English and Spanish, flyers)
Resources from Stephen J. Binz
- Bible Enthronement Ceremony in English and Spanish
- Blessing of Bibles
- Word of God Sunday Announcement for pulpit, bulletin, newsletters, and social media
Lectionary-Based Scripture Studies
Cultivate the habit of reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures with your family, parish group or catechism class each week. Excellent resources to help you do this include:
Catechist Formation
- Scripture Basics: A Catechist’s Guide by Margaret Nutting Ralph.
Group Study – Basic Resources for Those Just Starting Out
- Making Sense of the Bible in the Catholic Tradition.
- The Bible Blueprint by Joe Paprocki. Loyola Press offers a free Leader’s Guide to assist you to plan and guide a group study.
Each session includes:
- Opening activity
- Scripting to assist facilitators
- Small groups interaction
- Discussion questions
- Further resource recommendations
- Closing lectio divina prayer
Notre Dame’s STEP / McGrath Institute for Church Life
Form a cohort or study individually, online: https://mcgrath.nd.edu/
Little Rock Scripture Study offers powerful resources for individual or group Bible study. The three-week Alive in the Word studies are brief but pack a punch to invigorate your spiritual life! Longer programs are also available. Check them all out at https://littlerockscripture.org/.
Threshold Bible Study introduces biblical themes and books for individual or group Bible Study: http://www.twentythirdpublications.com/thbist1.html
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