Jubilee Year of Mercy

En Español

By Father John Marconi
Diocesan Year of Mercy Committee Chairman

The Holy Father Pope Francis has chosen a theme for the jubilee year that is close to his heart: mercy. He announced an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy from Dec. 8, 2015 to Nov. 20, 2016.

“I am convinced that the whole Church will be able to find in this jubilee the joy of rediscovering and making fruitful the mercy of God, with which we are all called to give consolation to every man and every woman of our time." — Pope Francis

“Dear brothers and sisters, I have thought about how the Church can make clear its mission of being a witness of mercy,” he said. “It’s a journey that starts with a spiritual conversion. For this reason I have decided to declare an extraordinary jubilee that has the mercy of God at its center. It will be a Holy Year of Mercy.”

The biblical passage for the holy year’s theme comes from Luke 6:36, in which Jesus tells his disciples, “Be merciful as your Father is merciful.” Mercy is the central topic of the pope’s episcopal motto “miserando atque eligendo.” One translation of the motto, taken from a homily given by St. Bede on Jesus’ calling of St. Matthew, is “with eyes of mercy.”

In his first Angelus address on March 17, 2013, Pope Francis spoke of “feeling mercy ... this word changes everything.” Mercy “is the best thing we can feel: it changes the world,” he said. “A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just. We need to understand properly this mercy of God, this merciful Father who is so patient.” Read the complete article in Arkansas Catholic.

Tips on Celebrating Jubilee

During this Year of Mercy, we should reflect on how merciful God has been to us and consider how we are called to be merciful to others in turn. The following resources are available throughout the year to help you experience the fruits of this jubilee.

1. Be Merciful

Jesus' teachings clearly explain how we can be merciful to those in need through the Corporal Works of Mercy. Church tradition also offers the Spiritual Works of Mercy to help be merciful in our relationships with others. During Lent we developed a list of 25 ways to perform these works of mercy in everyday life in Arkansas. Even though Lent is over, the Year of Mercy continues and this list remains relevant. Check it out. Arkansas Catholic is also offering a special series that describes the works of mercy in detail.

2. Reconcile with God

When discerning God's mercy towards us, there is no better way to experience it than through the sacrament of reconciliation. Arkansas parishes are opening their doors for extended periods of time with priests available to hear confessions offering greater access to the sacrament during the Year of Mercy. Contact a parish near you to get its special Year of Mercy confession schedule or contact a priest to make an appointment. Pope Francis makes clear that nothing is impossible for God. For example, read about his efforts to ease the annulment process.

3. Adore Him

After reconciling with the Lord, spending time with him in the Blessed Sacrament is a powerful way to grow your relationship and seek his will for your life. Many parishes in Arkansas already offer eucharistic adoration times, but during the jubilee year, those opportunities will also increase. In fact, during Lent Pope Francis is asking all parishes to offer 24-hour reconciliation and adoration. Contact a parish near you to find out when it will offer adoration during the Year of Mercy.

4. Make a Pilgrimage

Pope Francis has also asked that every diocese have a door of mercy during the year "as a place of pilgrimage and spiritual renewal for the faithful." Ten special events will be held for pilgrims to visit the Diocese of Little Rock Door of Mercy on the first Saturday of each month through November 2016. It is located at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock. To learn more, visit our Calendar of Events.

Pilgrims are also invited to tour the diocesan House of Formation, located on the campus of the parish, where seminarians serve as “ambassadors of mercy” and give presentations on the Year of Mercy. In addition, pilgrims may visit the door of mercy any time during the jubilee year by calling the church office at (501) 666-5073 to make a reservation.

5. Reflect and Pray

The Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for prayer and tours. Contact a parish near you to find out when it is open during the jubilee year. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor wrote a special prayer for the Year of Mercy for parishes to use. See the prayer here or download the prayer card.

You are welcome to submit a prayer request to be posted on our Prayer Book of Intentions. These prayers are offered up at the noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Taylor on most Wednesdays at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock.

Little Rock Scripture Study is writing a 13-part series called "A Biblical Year of Mercy" that includes questions for group study. The columns are free and available in English and Spanish. The monthly articles are being published in Arkansas Catholic for subscribers and are available for download from this website.

In addition, the diocesan newspaper will run other Year of Mercy articles throughout the jubilee year by Arkansas priests who share their own reflections on mercy and how we can live it everyday.

Visit our Catholic Prayers, Practices and Devotions page to find additional prayer resources including information on how to go to confession, how to say the rosary and how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

You are also welcome to submit a prayer request to be posted on the diocese’s online Prayer Book of Intentions. These prayers are offered up at the noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Taylor on most Wednesdays at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock. And, whether you submit a prayer or not, we invite you to print off this list on a regular basis and pray for these intentions at your parish, school or prayer group.

6. Attend Special Events

Many events are planned in Arkansas throughout the jubilee year including special pilgrimages, prayer services, Masses, retreats and parish missions — all with strong calls to conversion and repentance. See Year of Mercy Events in Arkansas or contact a parish near you to learn more. The following list offers the highlights of the schedule in Arkansas. Visit our calendar for additional information on a specific event.

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015

Holy Year Begins — Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 7 p.m., Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor serving as main celebrant. Afterwards, the Cathedral will open its doors daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for people to visit and pray.

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015

Opening of Door of Mercy — Bishop Taylor will celebrate Mass at 11 a.m. to open the Door of Mercy at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Little Rock.

Feb, 6, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov 5, 2016

Door of Mercy Pilgrimage Events — Special days of pilgrimage will be held on the first Saturdays of each month at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock. The schedule for each of these events follows:

9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Church, holy door and chapel open for pilgrims
10-11:45 a.m. — Sacrament of Reconciliation available
Noon — Mass for Pilgrims
1-2:35 p.m. — Sacrament of Reconciliation available
3 p.m. — Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed

March 4-5, 2016

All Parishes — 24 hours of adoration and reconciliation. Contact a parish near you for details.

April 3, 2016

Divine Mercy Sunday — Parishes will host special devotions. Contact a parish near you for details.

Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016

Holy Year Closes — Bishop Taylor will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King with a 12:05 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock