S Mary Pezold

The Jubilee Year of Mercy

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

On Nov. 29, 2015, when Pope Francis visited the Central African Republic, he broke with the centuries–old tradition, and opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Bangui’s Cathedral. Once again, Pope Francis gave priority attention to what he called the peripheries: situations of conflict, injustice, suffering and exclusion. He told the people, “Today Bangui becomes the spiritual capital of the world. The Holy Year of Mercy arrives in advance in this land that has suffered for several years from war, hatred, incomprehension, and the lack of peace” and “in this suffering land there are all the countries in the world that are suffering the cross of war.”

Pope Francis is inviting each of us to strike out on a yearlong spiritual journey to recognize a loving God who’s already waiting for us. He wants to usher in a “revolution of tenderness.”

Let’s take this invitation seriously and contribute personally to making a difference by taking positive steps to being kind, loving and caring persons in our families, communities, neighborhoods and workplaces.

Prayer for the Jubilee Year of Mercy

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.

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. May we, with renewed enthusiasm, 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 Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. (-taken from the Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year of Mercy)

By Sr. Mary Pezold, CCVI ’68 BA, Chair of the Ministry Council of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word