Delhi Archbishop opens the Jubilee Year of Mercy

Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Church from December 8 till November 20, 2016.

New Delhi:  Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto opened the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, a year that will stretch through Nov. 2016.

In his homily, Archbishop Couto quoted Pope Francis and asked the faithful to keep the pope’s words in mind throughout the jubilee year and repent and spread peace among others.

“Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy,” he said on the occasion on Dec. 12.

Pope Francis has declared a Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Church from December 8 till November 20, 2016 in his Bull of Indiction, Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy) signed on April 11.

The Pope will close the door on November 20, 2016 on the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, the Universal King.

The Year of Mercy will offer several privileges for the faithful so that they can experience God's forgiveness and unconditional love.

The prelate told UCAN that they have divided the program into two parts. One as spiritual work of mercy and other is corporal work of mercy.

“Special fund for the poor has been constituted at Holy family Hospital so that needy can be helped and addressing unemployment among youth is corporal work of mercy. Disability day and visit to the poor at their home are among the spiritual work, “ he said.

“I have also declared five churches in Delhi as pilgrim churches where the priests, nuns and lay people are asked to visit. Spiritual activities and confession
will be held in these churches,” he said.

24-hour prayer and adoration was also planned on March 4 and 5.

Fr. Savarimuthu Sankar, spokesperson of the archdiocese, said that “it is the time for all of us to reflect as religious personnel and follow what the Pope has asked to become people of mercy.”

A Chinnapan, secretary of the All India Catholic Union, said “it is a big opportunity for all of as lay people to renew our faith.”

He said that it will help many faithful to deepen their faith.

Fr. Frederick D’Souza, executive director of Caritas India, said Jubilee Year of Mercy reminds us about God’s mercy. It is an occasion where we will review our work as Caritas India to help the poor.

He said it gives us a challenging message to reach out the unreachable more.


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