EVERY 25 years, the pope proclaims a Holy Year, which features special celebrations and pilgrimages, strong calls for conversion and repentance, and the offer of special opportunities to experience God’s grace through the sacraments, especially Confession.
Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Jubilee, a Year of Holy Mercy, to highlight the Catholic Church’s mission to be a witness of mercy. The special year opened on December 8, 2015 during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and will end on November 20, 2016 during the Feast of Christ the King.
The theme of the year is, “Be merciful as your Father is Merciful.”
To mark the official launching of the Extraordinary Jubilee of the Year of Mercy, the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter was opened by Pope Francis.
He has likewise instructed that in every diocese, church and shrine designated by the diocesan bishop, will also be a celebration of the rite of opening of the Holy Door in unity with the Universal Church so all can participate and obtain the indulgences promised in this Jubilee Year.
In the Philippines, the Catholic Church followed on December 13 the opening the Holy Doors of the designated shrines and churches. In the Diocese of Bacolod, aside from the San Sebastian Cathedral, the St. Jude Thaddeus in Alijis, Holy Cross in Kamingawan, Holy Rosary in Camingawan, Holy Rosary in Alangilang and St. John Nepomoceno in Sum-ag as well as the Immaculate Conception in Villamonte also opened the Holy Doors.
There is a plenary indulgence attached to this Extraordinary Jubilee. To partake and to avail of this indulgence, one must make a pilgrimage to the site of this Holy Door identified as Jubilee Churches. Upon entering the Holy Door and having settled yourself in prayer, one must say an Our Father, 3 Hail Marys and one Glory Be.
Pope Francis asks that the faithful pray for him and the intentions that he bears for the good of the Church and the entire world. Also as part of the plenary indulgence, first and foremost, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist must be performed reflecting on God’s mercy. As we are a people who have habits of repeating our favorite sins, we must contemplate on these sins and how we can be cleansed and freed of these sins.
For the sick and the ones incarcerated and deprived of mobility to the Holy Doors, Pope Francis suggests to live their illness and suffering as an experience to live in closeness with Jesus’ Passion, His Death and His Resurrection. Going to Mass, receiving communion through various means of communication or in chapels, the infirmed and the jailed can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence.
The Jubilee Indulgence can also be obtained for our beloved dead and the poor souls in purgatory. During the Eucharistic celebration, let us remember them, pray for them, that the Merciful Face of the Father free them of every remnant of fault and strongly embrace them.
Pope Francis requests the rediscovery of the richness of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. The witnessing of mercy becomes visible each time the faithful performs one or more of these actions. Without even realizing it, he or she who does acts of spiritual and corporal works of mercy and obtains the Jubilee Indulgence.
During the Christmas season, I have witnessed some corporal works of mercy which I believe the doer was not even mindful. Our very own Jose Marie Chan, balladeer and composer of many notable songs, had a concert for the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Inc.
As we know, performers do receive for their performances sizable fees. But “Joe” Marie Chan performed for free. He donated 100 percent of the proceeds to the children of Kalipay. Aside from this, Joe Marie has been sponsoring the education of 12 children in Kalipay. He invited some of these kids to perform with him during the show.
Another act of mercy I witnessed was when Diotay Lopue hosted a breakfast for the children who sell flowers at the Sacred Heart Shrine. Bringing with him some tables and chairs, and some breakfast, he brought a lot of joy to these children and their parents. He likewise invited the women who constantly serve in the shrine during Masses. He brought fruits and even Christmas presents for the small group. It is admirable for someone to think of these faceless ones and give them a moment to be recognized and some goodies to take home as well.
The Year of Mercy affords each of us a chance to be reconciled to the Lord who we often hurt by our sins. Less arrogance, less pride, less glut, less sloth, less anger, envy and lust makes us happier people and more merciful and kind.
The Year of Mercy also allows us to be a little of Christ who is Mercy Himself if we do little acts of kindness and mercy knowingly and unknowingly. Every day, we have a chance to do some kind act of mercy even to ourselves. Let us avail of this extraordinary blessing on this Jubilee Year of Mercy!