The fifth Sunday of the Word of God, desired by Pope Francis on 30 September 2019, is celebrated on 21 January.

The 2024 motto is from the Gospel of John:

“Abide in my Word” (Jn 8:31)

With this initiative, Pope Francis wants to make people reflect on the importance, in the daily life of the Church and our communities, of reference to the Word of God.

In the Circular of 6 January 2024, Mother Sister Maria Rosa wanted to remind us of the centrality and power of the Word of God:

Dear Sisters, we too are the travelling companions of those who seek God, of those who desire peace, of those who struggle for justice; in particular in this historical moment when so many people are suffering from the horrors of war and the humanitarian situations seem to find no solution. Let us not remain indifferent in front of such realities. Unfortunately, one can become accustomed to them without doing anything. Let us all commit ourselves together to listen and to follow the Word of God so that it may be light to our steps, to our life and that of the others. We will then discover the importance of our witnessing to make people “recognise Jesus”, and make them “seek and discover” God (Cir. n. 37).

From the Dicastery for Evangelisation, a liturgical-pastoral Subsidy for living the Word of God and prayer in community, family and personally is available online.

Download it by clicking here

On the occasion of the Sunday of the Word, the Pope will start a new stage, the Year of Prayer, in preparation for the Jubilee 2025.

The year 2023 has been reserved for the deepening of the Documents and the fruits of the Second Vatican Council. The year 2024 will instead be dedicated to the rediscovery of the centrality of prayer.