Today it is encouraging to go back over the history of our faith, by fixing our gaze in Jesus Christ. In Him, who died and rose again for our salvation, the examples of faith that have marked these two thousand years of our salvation history are brought into the fullness of light.

By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believed the message, tasted the fruits of Jesus’ resurrection, and treasuring every memory in her heart, she passed them on to the Twelve. By faith, the Apostles left everything to follow the Master, they went out to the whole world, following the command to bring the Gospel to all creation. By faith, the disciples formed the first community gathered around the teaching of the Apostles. By faith, the martyrs gave their lives bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel...

—By faith, across the centuries, men and women of all ages, whose names are written in the Book of Life, have confessed the beauty of following the Lord Jesus.