Year Of Faith
October 2012 to November 2013

With his Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith. The year began on October 11, 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council, and concluded on November 24, 2013, the Feast of Christ the King and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Year of Faith was designed to renew the faith of Catholics so that we will be credible, joy-filled witnesses to the Risen Lord in the world today, capable of leading others to faith. The Year of Faith is commemorated by a triptych featuring three works of Raphael, dated 1507, which emphasize the theological virtues of love, hope, and faith. The oil paintings are found on the predella of the Pala Baglioni altarpiece, La Deposizione di Cristo, located in the Pinocoteca of the Vatican Museum. A miniature sheet was issued containing three of the triptychs. The selvage on the mini sheet states: Anno Della Fide MMXXII - MMXIII, and the title of Raphael's artwork. REFERENCE: James C. Hamilton, Vatican Notes, Volume 61, Number 356, pp. 4-6, 2013, New Issues: February & March 2013 Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 1517 - 1517M Date Issued - 28 February 2013 Face Value - 2 x €0,60 1 x €1,00 Perforations - 13.75x13.75 Printing Process - Offset Printer - BDT (Ireland) Max Printed - 210,000

(Source - Vatican Notes, Volume 61, Number 356, pp. 4-6, 2013)