Sunday of the Word of God

by Fr. Jess Ty  |  01/25/2026  |  Weekly Reflection

Dear Family of God,

Did you know that this Sunday is “Sunday of the Word of God”? Pope Francis has declared every Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, beginning in 2020, as "Sunday of the Word of God" to be celebrated in all Catholic Churches around the world. Since this day is the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, it means the Seventh Celebration of "Sunday of the Word of God" will take place today in all Catholic Churches in the world.

Why "Sunday of the Word of God"? According to Pope Francis the new celebration is to have a special day devoted to “the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God".

When was it declared? The Sunday of the Word of God was instituted by Pope Francis on 30th September 2019 through a special Apostolic Letter (Motu Proprio) called "Aperuit Illis". "Aperuit Illis" is the Latin of the opening lines of the Letter taken from St. Luke's Gospel ("He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” - Lk 24:45). “This was one of the final acts of the Risen Lord before his ascension. Jesus appeared to the assembled disciples, broke bread with them and opened their minds to the understanding of the sacred Scriptures. He unveiled to them the meaning of the Paschal Mystery.” (1). During this first Easter Sunday Jesus gives a Bible study for the two disciples going Emmaus and then to the Apostles in Jerusalem.

May we strengthen our devotion to read and study the Word of God by reading our Bible. By reading with devotion for thirty minutes in a given day, we can gain Plenary Indulgence.

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.