In 2033, the Catholic Church will celebrate its 2000th anniversary. To mark this historic milestone, we invite the faithful to join a 9-year novena of prayer and preparation.
An Open Letter on the Approaching BiMillennium of the Catholic Church
Pentecost Sunday
May 19, 2024
Dear Fellow Catholics and all Christians of Good Faith,
On Pentecost Sunday, in the Year of our Lord, 2033, nine short years from this day, the Catholic Church will celebrate its bimillennial anniversary. That day will mark two thousand years since the Church was made known to the world through the unleashing of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples “like the rush of a mighty wind” (Acts 2:2).
Sadly, in our world today, that “rush of a mighty wind” has, through the sin and indifference of much of mankind, been reduced to little more than a slight breeze in regards to its influence on the activities of man. Claiming to be wise, we have become fools (Rom 1:22). We have sacrificed untold millions of our children at the altar of Moloch (Jer 32:35), engaged in dishonorable passions (Rom 1:26), called evil good and good evil (Isa 5:20), risen up against our brother (Gen 4:8), and used the stone tablets of the 10 Commandments as nothing more than headstones in the graveyard of virtue and sanity. Our leaders have forgotten whom they serve (Matt 20:25-28) and Whom they serve (Matt 4:10). We are deserving of nothing more than the harshest of judgments from He who rules all nations with a rod of iron (Rev 19:15).
Sadly, in our world today, that “rush of a mighty wind” has, through the sin and indifference of much of mankind, been reduced to little more than a slight breeze in regards to its influence on the activities of man. Claiming to be wise, we have become fools (Rom 1:22). We have sacrificed untold millions of our children at the altar of Moloch (Jer 32:35), engaged in dishonorable passions (Rom 1:26), called evil good and good evil (Isa 5:20), risen up against our brother (Gen 4:8), and used the stone tablets of the 10 Commandments as nothing more than headstones in the graveyard of virtue and sanity. Our leaders have forgotten whom they serve (Matt 20:25-28) and Whom they serve (Matt 4:10). We are deserving of nothing more than the harshest of judgments from He who rules all nations with a rod of iron (Rev 19:15).
Yet, we hope. God, in His mercy, is always standing at the ready to receive the Prodigal Son back into His household (Luke 15). Which is why we, the undersigned, are calling upon our fellow Catholics, and all who are united to the Church - the Body of Christ - through Baptism, to begin today, a nine-year novena of prayer, and preparation, for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We come to you in fraternal love and charity. We have no particular plan for how this novena of prayer and preparation should unfold for anyone - individually or corporately - however, we would like to offer some possible courses of action that could be taken by individuals, small groups, apostolates and ministries, parishes, and even dioceses.
For the individual, an increase in prayer and study of the truths of the Faith. Perhaps joining with others for group studies of the Bible, the Catechism, an encyclical, books written by the saints, and so on. The same could be done by the various apostolates and ministries, as well as by the parishes. The parishes could increase their hours for Eucharisticadoration and possibly offer more opportunities for Confession. The parishes could also promote a time or times each week for the faithful tocome together to pray the Rosary and/or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Eachdiocese could have a Eucharistic procession in a different city within thediocese each year, or perhaps a large gathering to say the Rosary in an arena or stadium, possibly with a Mass, again, in a different city within the diocese each year.
Catholic publishers could produce books, booklets, studies, and workbooks that focus on a different theme for each of the nine years. For example, 2025 is the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The theme for that year could be the Trinity, with a particular focus on the divinity of Christ. 2026 is the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica. The theme for the year could be the Pope and Apostolic Authority and the Magisterium. 2028 is the 60th anniversary of Humanae Vitae. The theme for that year might be the Church’s teaching on life and marriage and family. 2031 is the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mary and the various Marian apparitions around the world could be the focus of that year.
Again, though, these are just some thoughts and ideas we offer as a starting point for the Catholic faithful to consider and act upon as we approach this momentous event in the Catholic Church’s history. We hope and pray, however, that you will act. Fasting and prayer. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Rosaries. Eucharistic processions. Individual and group studies.
Prayer and preparation for what could be the greatest opportunity for evangelization the Church has seen in her 2000-year history. Our world is in chaos. We need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit as much now as we did on the original Day of Pentecost, if not more! We need conversion! We need Christ!
Finally, for our brothers and sisters in Christ outside the confines of the Catholic Church, we invite you to pray and prepare with us. We invite you to dialogue with us. Jesus prayed at the Last Supper that we - His followers - be one as He and the Father are one. Let us, in these next nine years, work towards fulfilling that prayer of our Lord.
A great opportunity is upon us, brothers and sisters, “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light,” (Rom 13:11-12).
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Read the letter & add your signature
You are invited to read the letter and add your signature to it if you feel so inclined. You can do so below. As a signee…as a participant in this evangelization effort…please post this letter to your social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, et al. We want to make sure the world knows that the Church founded by Jesus Christ has been around since the beginning of Christianity, and will be here until the end…
Signees
John Martignoni,
Bible Christian Society
Birmingham,
AL
Fr. Earl Gray Bean
Leeds,
AL
Jack Sugrue,
St. Andrew the Apostle
Kansas City,
MO
John A Best,
MCA
Royal Oak,
MI
Angela Gadacz,
St Francis of Assisi
Brainerd,
MN
Doug Duvall,
Blessed Sacrament
Alabaster,
AL
Al Sanchez,
St Laurence Sugar Land Tx
Missouri City,
TX
Pamela Souza,
St Joseph Catholic Church
Loma Rica,
CA
Christopher Castagnoli,
Ourcatholicprayers.com
New York,
NY
Jerald Atwood,
St. Michael The Archangel
Holly Springs,
GA
Jon W Smith,
St Thomas the Apostle
Fortville,
IN
Brett Maddux,
St Theresa
Birmingham,
AL
Elizabeth Purcell,
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Southport,
NC
Nate Bartnick
Goddard,
KS
Gregory DiSisto
Orlando,
FL
Ashley Kilday
Richmond,
TX
N Scala,
St Michael’s Roswell
Woodstock,
GA
Tony Schneider
Barling,
AR
Robert E Millott,
Millott and Associates
Bowie,
MD
Carlos Sanchez,
St Faustina
Brookshire,
TX
Jill Luttrell
Dammeron Valley,
UT
Scott Ryan
Tomball,
TX
Carmella Calma,
St Peter the Apostle
Hoover,
AL
Tom Turk
North Ridgeville,
OH
Nate Guyear,
Our Lady of the Rosary
San Diego,
CA
Jo Ann Hankwitz,
Lumen Christi Mequon
Mequon,
WI
Thomas Graye,
EWTN Chapel
Calera,
AL
Michael Lindner
Colts Neck,
NJ
Franco Deras,
Good Shepherd CC
Keller,
TX
Antoinette Wohleber
Canonsburg,
PA
Peter Wehr,
TMIY-St. Frances Cabrini Cath. Church
Parrish,
FL
Fernando Pacheco
Brampton, ON,
CA
Franca Pacheco,
St. Anthony of Padua
Brampton, ON,
CA
David Kole,
Saint Francis de Sales
Purcellville,
VA
Bob and Mary Angela Williams,
St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother
Avondale,
PA
Peter J Dunphy,
Saint John XXIII Parish
Fort Collins,
CO
Mark Kummer,
St Mary’s
Castle Rock,
WA
Frank Corsi,
Catholic Conference Center
Hickory,
NC
Edward McDermott,
Christ Divine Shepherd
Pittsburgh,
PA
Dawn Jesberg,
Divine Mercy
Spring Hill,
KS
Shawn Labadie,
White Collar Work
Lincoln,
NE
MSgt Edward Krattli USMC (Ret),
St. William of York
Stafford,
VA
Ann M Gendreau
Athens,
ME
John March,
St. Gregory The Great
Bluffton,
SC
Alfredo Díaz del Castillo Cabrera
Alcorcón,
ES
M Brown,
All Saints
Dallas,
TX
Benedict White
Cuckfield,
GB
Mark Peters
Newark,
OH
Kristin Lloyd,
Our Lady of Light
Fort Myers,
FL
Brian H.
St. Augustine,
FL
Carl J. Niedzwiecki,
Knights of Columbus
Walnutport,
PA
Bev Moodie,
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Hilo,
HI
Terrance Hollars
Oklahoma City,
OK
Brian Comish,
St. Paul
Highland,
IL
Lindsey Sanchez,
St. Mary Cathedral
Austin,
TX
Marcyanna Fritz,
St. Charles Borromeo, Parma, Ohio
Parma Heights,
OH
Helen Penfield,
St Theresa Leeds, AL
Birmingham,
AL
Rich Fogarty,
St. Rose of Lima
Roseville,
CA
Andrew Ricks,
Mansfield St. Peter Catholic Church
Mansfield,
OH
Debbie Duncan
Eagle,
ID
Jim Collins
Hanceville,
AL
Tracy Sadowski
Huntsville,
AL
Michael Leins,
Our Lady of the Valley
Windsor,
CO
Tomas Engle
Hanceville,
AL
Grzegorz Szymanski,
Sacred Heart, Kitchener ON
Waterloo,
CA
Shane Bowman
Susavulle,
CA
John Dorilag,
Our Lady Of Peace Parishioner
San Jose,
CA
Joseph Landry,
St.Francis Xavier
Camrose,
CA
Mary Beisel
Warroad,
MN
Donald Steinfelt
York,
PA
George Fink
Medina,
OH
Robert Dowdal,
St Patricks
Colona,
IL
Mark Nutter,
Saint Agnes Church
Fort Wright,
KY
David Sekely Sr.,
Annunciation, Havelock
Newport,
NC
Stuart Pieloch,
John Paul II Newman Center at ASU Polytechnic
Phoenix,
AZ
James Costello,
St Patricks, Greymouth, NZ
Greymouth,
NZ
Warren Gravois,
St. Charles Borromeo
Picayune,
MS
Paul R Ramirez
Baltimore,
MD
Patrick Timothy Caughy,
Third
Catonsville,
MD
Ania Krysciak,
Sacred Heart Parish Kitchener
Kitchener,
ON
Antoinette Cox-Burress,
North American Martyrs
Lincoln,
NE
Cisco Miculek,
St. Theresa's, Leeds
Calera,
AL
Nelson Rodriguez
Morganton,
NC
Denese Boyd
Monroe,
LA
Dudley Sale Powell
Orlando,
FL
Carol Perkowski,
St. Francis of Assisi
Henderson,
NV
Leanne Schmitz,
Saint Stephen’s
Grand Island,
NY
Christina Semmens,
Say Yes to Holiness
Fort Payne,
AL
Fran Massey,
TeamMasseyProperties, LLC
Columbiana,
AL
Gigi Pitchford
Indian Springs,
AL
Pratt Thomas
Mobile,
AL
Daniel L . Creal,
St. John the Apostle
Eagle,
NE
Claudia Sandoval
Bakersfield,
CA
Todd Courtois
Sutter,
IL
Chris Johnson,
St. Joseph CC
Huntsville,
AL
James M Kieru
Nairobi,
KE
Al Meyers
Warsaw,
IN
J. Reyes,
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Bertram,
TX
Elochukwu Egwudike,
St Dominic's Catholic Church
Lagos,
NG
Matt Briggs,
St Francis of Assisi University Parish, MoSJ
Tuscaloosa,
AL
César Segovia,
Christ The King
Tulsa,
OK
Gabi Ford,
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Tulsa
Claremore,
OK
Daniel P Augustenborg
Colorado Springs,
CO
Taurino Salinas,
5278291071
Mcallen,
TX
Paul Thaddeus Mwanzia,
Sacred Heart, Mbitini, Catholic Diocese of Wote
Nairobi,
KE
Brent Knab
West Chester,
OH
Richard Neves,
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Blacksburg,
VA
Bobby Chapuis,
Immaculate Conception Parish
Clarksville,
TN
Paul van den Heuvel,
St Elizabeth Ann Seton
Lake in the Hills,
IL
Joe DeReuil,
St. Paul Men of St. Joseph
Pensacola,
FL
Philip Orlando,
Diocease Of St. Augustine Fl
Old Town,
FL
Harold C Gray
Alabaster,
AL
Chris Johnson,
St. Joseph's CC
Huntsville,
AL
Mary Neves,
St. Francis of Assisi Church
Dartmouth,
MA
Barbara L
Appleton,
WI
Robert Hehn,
Visitation BVM
Audubon,
PA
Lawrence & Carmen Mendoza
Cibolo,
TX
Eliana Neyra
South River,
NJ
Joseph Mwaura
Kansas City,
MO
Anthony Ramos,
Christ the King
Mesa,
AZ
Douglas Praskovich
Pittsburgh,
PA
Carole Elbert,
St Peter, Newberg, OR
Newberg,
OR
Sam Moore,
St Teresa
Irondale,
AL
Gwyn Moore,
Moore Solutions
Irondale,
AL
Donny Grundhoefer
Leeds,
AL
Susan Shea,
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus
Leeds,
AL
Kelly Martin Laney,
St. Theresa of the Holy Face Catholic Church
Sterrett,
AL
Joe & Mary Ann Renna,
St. Theresa Catholic Church
Maylene,
AL
Tina Reed,
St Elizabeth Ann Seton. Keller tx
Fort Worth,
TX
mathew george, 9312 bassoon dr.,
St. Vincent De Paul church, Houston, TX
houston,
TX
Sulman
Cropwell,
AL
Margaret Murphy,
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Grand Rapids,
MI
Jane Wilmer,
Sacred Heart of Jesus Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids,
MI
Judith Stover,
Sacred Heart Parish
Grand Rapids,
MI
Leisa Snow
Grand Rapids,
MI
