JUBILEE OF MERCY

On 11 April 2015, Pope Francis published the bull, Misericordiae Vultus, for the indiction of the Jubilee of Mercy.The Holy Year have commenced on Dec. 8, 2015, feast of the Immaculate Conception, and will conclude on Nov. 20, 2016, the Solemnity of Christ the King.

THE JUBILEE The Jubilee is a time of grace and conversionto be celebrated ordinarily every 25 years, and extraordinarily whenever the Pope so decides. The name that originates from the Hebrew word, yobhel, or ram’s horn”, that in the Old Testament was blown to announce the beginning of the Holy Year. It was St. Jerome (347- 420 AD) who translated, yobhel, into the Latin, Jubilaeum, meaning “rejoicing”. The first Christian Jubilee was celebrated by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 AD, as centenary observance; the latest by St. John Paul II in the year 2000. The Jubilee Indulgence can be gained in minor basilicas, the cathedrals, and designated shrines throughout the world.

JUBILEE IN THE BIBLE The Old Testament Jews were commanded to celebrate a Sabbatical Year every seven years, and Jubilee year every 50. During the Holy Year, the slaves were released from bondage; all debts were remitted; the land to be left uncultivated. Jesus Christ brought the Jubilee Year to a higher level: from remittance of material debts and time for physical rest, to a year of freedom from slavery of sin and of starting the new life of grace. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor…to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

JUBILEE HISTORY1300–Boniface VIII, instituted the First Christian Jubilee1450–Nicholas V, introduced the Opening of the Holy Door in St. John Lateran1500–Alexander VI, introduced the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica1675–Alexander VII, Inauguration of the Bernini Colonnade in St. Peter’s Basilica1950–Pius XII, declared the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary2000-Pope John Paul II, Jubillee of the 3rd Millennium2016 – Jubilee of Mercy

The Pope made THREE INVITATIONS:

1. To receive personally the mercy of God by having a good confession2. To extend our mercy to those who have sinned against us3. To become missionaries of mercy throughout the world

This HOLY YEAR IS EXTRAORDINARY in the sense that it breaks the traditional 25-year pattern; and for the first time in history, individual dioceses are encouraged to open The Holy Door of Mercy either in the Cathedral, or in a church of importance for pilgrimages.

THE DOOR OF MERCY

The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica was opened on Dec. 8, 2015 and closes o Nov. 20, 2016, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Jubilee of Mercy is tobe celebrated I Rome as well as in local Churches; as long as it will just blend into their usual activities.

THE JUBILEE LOGO

THE JUBILEE LOGO

The Logo of Jubilee of Mercy represents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, taking upon His shoulders the lost sheep (cf. Luke15:15) The right eye of the shepherd merges with the left eye of the sheep to signify the profound intimacy of the two.

The three concentric ovals, with colors progressively lighter, suggest the movement of Christ who carries humanity out of the night of sin and death. The motto which accompanies the logo, Merciful Like the Father, is taken from the Gospel: “ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). It is an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father, who asks to give love and forgiveness without measure.

THE MAJOR EVENTSDec. 8 – Opening of the Holy Door in Rome and local diocesesApril 3 – Jubilee of institutions of mercy April 24 – Jubilee of ConfirmandiMay 29 – Jubilee of DeaconsJune 3 – Jubilee of PriestsJune 12 – Jubilee of sick and disabled and caregiversJuly 26-31 – World Youth Day in KrakowSept. 4 – Jubilee of charitable voluteersSept. 25 – Jubilee of CatechistsOct. 9 – Jubilee of Marian InstitutionsNov. 6 – Jubilee of PrisonersNov. 20 – Closing of the Holy Door and conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Mercy

EXISTENTIAL PERIPHERIESPope Francis envisions the Christians as reaching out to the geographical and existential peripheries of society, to witness the Church’s love and care for the poor, the suffering, and the marginalized. During the Jubilee Year, concrete events should be organized in favor of the outcasts and the needy. In particular, bishops ad priests are invited to perform in their dioceses similar symbolic gestures of communion with Pope Francis, so that everyone may receive a concrete sign of the Church’s ministry of mercy. As the Holy Father wrote in the Evangelii Gaudium: “Let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ.

THE INDULGENCE

The indulgence is the remission (lessening) of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt and eternal punishment, have been forgiven in the sacrament of Penance. An indulgence can be partial or plenary, referring to whether the remission of the temporal punishment is limited or complete.

In order to gain the Plenary Jubilee Indugence, for oneself or for a soul, the faithful must personally visit a designated church and perform four deeds:1. Confession 2. Participation in the Mass and Holy Communion, 3. Prayer for the intentions of the Pope, 4. Fulfilling a Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy.

HOW TO CONFESS