“Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.” With these words, Pope Francis announced the upcoming Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, a time for the Church to celebrate the love and mercy of God. From the Solemnity the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2015 to the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 20, 2016, the Church will turn Her eyes toward those in special need of God’s mercy.

The Face of Mercy

In April 2015, His Holiness published the official Bull of Indiction for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy: Misericordiae Vultus (“The Face of Mercy”), which formally declared this year to be a time of reflection on the true face of God in the merciful Son, Jesus Christ, and His loving sacrifice to redeem the whole world from sin.

“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,” said Pope Francis. “I will have the joy of opening the Holy Door on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On that day, the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.”

The Holy Father encourages that all the doors of the churches around the world be opened, too, so that those who are lost may find their way in and receive the love and repentance found in Christ Jesus.

“‘God is love’ (1 Jn 4:8,16), John affirms for the first and only time in all of Holy Scripture,” said Pope Francis. “This love has now been made visible and tangible in Jesus’ entire life. His person is nothing but love, a love given gratuitously. The relationships he forms with the people who approach him manifest something entirely unique and unrepeatable. The signs he works, especially in favor of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion.”

With this same compassion for the poor and suffering, Pope Francis hopes all of the faithful will take the opportunity to be living witnesses to Christ’s love and message of salvation. Because we ourselves have been shown mercy, it is time for us to take up the joyful call and to share the blessing of mercy to others. As we enter into the Year of Mercy, the Holy Father encourages all Catholics to serve our brothers and sisters in need.

“Let us open our eyes and see the misery of the world, the wounds of our brothers and sisters who are denied their dignity, and let us recognize that we are compelled to heed their cry for help!” said Pope Francis. “May we reach out to them and support them so they can feel the warmth of our presence, our friendship, and our fraternity! May their cry become our own, and together may we break down the barriers of indifference that too often reign supreme and mask our hypocrisy and egoism!”

From our FOCUS National Chaplains

As we approach the start of the Year of Mercy, one of FOCUS’ national chaplains, Fr. Doug Grandon, speaks to the great love God has shown us and the love we can show to others in turn. Here is a meditation for us to take into this extraordinary year:

“[In Exodus], Israel had fallen into idolatry, having worshiped the golden calf.  In anger, descending from Mt. Sinai, Moses violently smashed the two tablets of the Law.

“But then, God takes the initiative.  ‘Cut two tablets of stone like the first,’ God commands, ‘and I will write again the words that were on the first tablets.’ Then God reintroduces himself to Moses. Passing by in epiphany, God proclaims, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin!’ (Exodus 34:6-7). How amazing is it that God offered ‘full of mercy’ as the very first description of his character!

“As we embark upon this Year of Mercy, I challenge you to explore every biblical reference to mercy and “merciful” in reference to the divine character — and to ponder their immense significance.”

For more information on the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, be sure to check out the Misericordiae Vultus. You can find more news and announcements by following the Vatican’s site for the Jubilee of Mercy.

May this sacred time be a chance for all of us to renew our commitment to God’s holy will and to open the doors of our hearts to share God’s mercy with all the world!