Pope Francis announces Extraordinary Jubilee - "A Holy Year of Mercy"

 

"Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with a spiritual conversion, and we must make this journey! For this reason, I have decided to call an extraordinary Jubilee that is to have the mercy of God at its heart. It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord's words: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (cf. Lk 6:36)” This Holy Year will begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (8th December 2015) and will end on November 20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – he who is the living face of the Father’s mercy. I entrust the organization of this Jubilee to the Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelization, so that they can animate it as a new stage in the journey of the Church on its mission to bring to every person the Gospel of mercy. I am convinced that the whole Church, which has such a need of receiving mercy, since we are all sinners, will find in this Jubilee Year the joy needed to rediscover and make fruitful the mercy of God, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and woman of our time. From this moment, we entrust this Holy Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she might turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey." 

The Year of Mercy In Salford Cathedral: Sunday, December 13th The Holy Door in Salford Cathedral will be opened as will the four other Holy Doors in the Diocese at St Mary’s Church, (Hidden Gem) Manchester, Wardley Hall, Schoenstatt Shrine, Kearsley, St Mary & St John Southworth, Salmesbury.

 

In our parish: During the year, we will be organizing gatherings and activities inspired by the seven corporal works of mercy and the seven spiritual works of mercy, details of which will be published in due course. We shall also be encouraging the participation in pilgrimage, at Lourdes and/or more locally at Ladyewell, Fernyhaulgh. Details to be added later.

 

The diocesan handbook for the year of mercy and other leaflets are at the back of church.

 

Salford Diocesan Year of Mercy

 

"The Gospel: God's Mercy for all People" You Tube video by Barbara Mason or from her website www.proclaimpublications.com

 

 

Pope Francis' prayer.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, You have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,  and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.  Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;  the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;  made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.  Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:  “If you knew the gift of God!” You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:  let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.  You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness  in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,  so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,  proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,  and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of  Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.