the year of mercy invites us to witness to our faith

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2 the year of mercy invites us to witness to our faith Pope Francis has declared an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy happening December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 with a goal that this be a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective. 1 The Year of Mercy is a special occasion for each of us to encounter God s mercy. The Church is opening a Door of Mercy in every diocese around the world to provide an opportunity for mercy. Anybody can make a pilgrimage to one of these doors. The Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope. The Holy Doors2 represent an invitation from God to receive His mercy and to extend His mercy to others. This booklet is designed to accompany you on your personal pilgrimage to a Door of Mercy. While everybody s experience of a pilgrimage is unique, here are steps that will help anyone to make a good pilgrimage. It is suggested that you take some time to prepare your heart before walking through the holy door. Ideally, plan to spend an hour so your pilgrimage won t be rushed. After you have prayerfully reflected on the booklet, ask the Lord to meet you at the holy door. Go through the holy door with faith and confidence that God is indeed inviting you into His mercy and a relationship with Him. 1 Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus: Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco_bolla_ _misericordiae-vultus.html. Quotes this page from paras. 3a and 3b; facing page from paras. 1, 2 and 3b. 2 Holy Door refers to the seven official Holy Doors located around the world. The doors in each diocese will be called Doors of Mercy. Please note that in this booklet, the terms are used synonymously as people may make a pilgrimage to a Door of Mercy and/or one of the official Holy Doors.

3 jesus merciful like the father Let us begin by recognizing our weaknesses and limitations. We face problems we can t solve on our own. We have made decisions that have hurt people close to us. We carry the weight of regrets. Where can we find mercy? Is it really free? The amazing truth is that God s mercy can heal any area of pain and regret. We can experience restoration and hope. This transformation is exactly why Jesus came to earth and died for us on the Cross. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus... Mercy: the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness. Mercy will always be greater than any sin, and no one can place limits on the love of God who is ever ready to forgive. The mercy of Jesus is available to you, no matter how far you have strayed or how long you ve been away. Take a moment and ask yourself, Despite all my flaws, am I willing to take a risk and believe Jesus has enough mercy for me?

4 prepare your heart for mercy Getting ready for mercy has two necessary parts. You must be open to receiving mercy and you must be willing to be merciful toward others, especially those who have hurt you. 1. Receiving Mercy The first step is admitting you need God s help. Take some time to reflect on the areas in your life where you need forgiveness, comfort and hope. Your current faith or lack of faith doesn t matter. Just look at yourself honestly and have the courage to place yourself before Jesus. He is mercy itself. 2. Being Merciful to Others The second step is forgiving others. Jesus says, Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). It s hard to receive mercy when our heart is holding onto anger, resentment and lack of forgiveness. We are able to receive the grace of mercy only when we have done our best to forgive others and show mercy to them. Maybe you already know the people you need to forgive. Here is a list of people you can consider: I forgive my parents my spouse my children my siblings my friends my co-workers myself anyone who has hurt me. Take some time to reflect on these relationships, and pray for your own willingness to forgive and release these people into God s hands. As we let go of our anger and resentment toward others, we are freed to experience God s mercy for ourselves.

5 make a decision for christ Does your heart feel a little more ready to embrace God s love? Now, turn to the Door of Mercy. Jesus is inviting you to something much more significant than passing through a doorway. The Doors of Mercy are a symbol of God inviting you into relationship with Him. Come to Jesus, the face of the Father s mercy. 3 If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ and you will find true life. Pope Benedict XVI 3 Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus: Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Paras. 1.

6 To truly accept God s mercy, you must fully embrace Jesus. When you think of painful parts of your life, Jesus is the way to peace. But he will enter your life only if you invite Him. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking: if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you and you with me. Revelation 3:20 Whether you are inviting Christ into your life for the first time or renewing your decision, stand before the Door of Mercy and pray. Then walk through the door as a concrete action to accept Jesus and His mercy. Father, I believe that you know me and love me. I have not always chosen to love you and have broken my relationship with you through my sins. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, who proved your love for me on the Cross. Lord Jesus, I open the door of my heart and I invite you to be at the centre of my life to be my Saviour and my Lord. Direct me by your Holy Spirit and help me to live the Gospel with my whole life. Amen.

7 rejoice in god s mercy! The rejoicing in the parable of the prodigal son is profound. When the prodigal son returned home with a repentant heart, his father welcomed him back into the family. Your decision to accept God s mercy is cause for rejoicing. Take a moment to celebrate this powerful decision. Receiving and sharing God s mercy is not passive. Here are some ways to keep embracing and offering mercy. Receive God s mercy Pray with Scripture every day. Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, even if it has been a long time since your last confession. This is a chance to confess any lack of forgiveness you ve held against others. Go to Mass, especially on Sunday. Extend mercy to others Tell someone close to you about your pilgrimage. Share this booklet with someone and encourage them to make their own pilgrimage. Accompany someone else on a pilgrimage to a Door of Mercy. Practice the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; clothe the naked; harbour the harbourless; visit the sick; ransom the captive; and bury the dead. Practice the spiritual works of mercy: instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offences willingly; comfort the afflicted; and pray for the living and the dead.

8 a special grace in the year of mercy To receive the Jubilee Indulgence4 offered this year, Pope Francis invites you to take these steps: Make a brief pilgrimage and pass through a Door of Mercy as a sign of your deep desire for true conversion. Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (up to eight days before or after your pilgrimage). Participate in a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Reflect on the mercy of God. Make a profession of faith. Offer a prayer (such as an Our Father) for the Pope and his intentions. An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. Indulgences help to purify us from the effects of our sins, such as bad habits and attachments to worldly things. 4 Encountering Mercy: A Personal Guide to a Pilgrimage Through the Doors of Mercy Published by Catholic Christian Outreach Canada Inc and Companions of the Cross Concordat cum Originali : +Christian Riesbeck, CC, V.G. Nihil Obstat: Fr. Richard Jaworski, CC Imprimatur: +Terrence Prendergast, S.J. November 22, 2015 Solemnity of Christ the King