The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
Join us, under the humble leadership of Pope Francis, as we open wide the doors to the saving mercy of Christ. The Year of Mercy is celebrated from December 8th, 2015—the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II— to the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 20, 2016.
During this special period of time in the Church, Pope Francis calls all Catholics to be profound witnesses to mercy and to "find the joy rediscovering and rendering fruitful God's mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time."
The Logo and the Motto
The logo and the motto together provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about. The motto Merciful Like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38). The logo – the work of Jesuit Father Marko I. Rupnik – presents a small summa theologiae of the theme of mercy. In fact, it represents an image quite important to the early Church: that of the Son Having taken upon his shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption. The logo has been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love with the power to change one’s life. One particular feature worthy of note is that while the Good Shepherd, in his great mercy, takes humanity upon himself, his eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, one’s own humanity and the future that lies ahead, contemplating, in his gaze, the love of the Father.
The scene is captured within the so called mandorla (the shape of an almond), a figure quite important in early and medieval iconography, for it calls to mind the two natures of Christ, divine and human. The three concentric ovals with colors progressively lighter as we move outward, suggest the movement of Christ who carries humanity out of the night of sin and death. Conversely, the depth of the darker color suggests the impenetrability of the love of the Father forgives all.
Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee
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 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 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
Blessing of a Jubilee Door at Home or in a Classroom Setting
Gathering: All gathering before the Jubilee Door
All make the Sign of the Cross reciting: “In the name…
Reading: A reading from the Gospel of Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Blessing: All together pray the following:
Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, for you guide our footsteps.
You bless our coming in and our going out,
From birth to death, you hold us in your care.
Bless this door, O Lord, which we consecrate to this time of preparation.
Each day we pass this place, draw us more deeply into your presence and the wonders of your love for us.
You are the door to the Kingdom of God, the sheep gate to life eternal, O portal of eternal peace, our new and living way, loose our sins and open for us the odor of salvation.
O God, Protect our going out and our coming in; let us share hospitality of this home with all who visit us.
May the poor find rest within these walls and all who hunger find refreshment in our home.
Lead us home through you, to you and with you, one God for ever and ever.
Amen
Song:
O God Our Help in Ages Past (Psalm 90)
All are Welcome (Haugen)
Jesus Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Forever
(Toolan)
Ubi Caritas (Hurd)
Digo “Si,” Seῇor (Peῇa)
Year of Mercy App
Our Sunday Visitor has created a free app for both Apple and Android platforms. Entitled, 365 Days to Mercy, the app will include the following: Daily reflections on mercy Daily Scripture reflections Year of Mercy resources Pope Francis’ tweets throughout the year Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena Year of Mercy news And more! Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android