In September 2019, Pope Francis instituted the celebration of Word of God Sunday when issuing the apostolic letter Aperuit Illis (External site). The letter encouraged the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God.
The Catholic Church in Australia celebrates Word of God Sunday on February 9 in 2025 this year. Many countries celebrate the occasion on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
A number of resources have been developed to help individuals, families, parishes, schools and other ministries commemorate Word of God Sunday. Among ways Catholics and Catholic communities are being encouraged to mark the day are a special display of Sacred Scripture or the Book of the Gospels, the establishment of Bible study groups or the adoption of lectio divina, a common practice of reflection on Scripture.
Click on the links below to access the resources
- Liturgical notes (PDF)
- Prayers of Intercession (PDF)
- Musical recommendations (PDF)
- Reflection by Fr Tom Elich (PDF)
- Bulletin notice (PDF)
- Social media graphic (JPG)
- Facebook cover/banner (JPG)
- Website banner (JPG)
Other reading
- Setting our hearts on the Word (External site) -- Reflection by Dr Rosemary Canavan, President of the Australian Catholic Biblical Association