Holy Year of Mercy begins Dec. 8

The official logo of the Year of Mercy.

Religious communities and NRVC will be joining the worldwide church in observing the Holy Year of Mercy, which begins December 8 and lasts until November 20, 2016.

In light of this special jubilee year, the Winter edition of HORIZON, to be released February 1, will carry reflections linking vocation and mercy.

Vocation directors and their communities can find many resources online for incorporating this theme into their ministry.  Below are links to information and resources, and the text of Pope Francis' prayer for the year.

im.va  Vatican Year of Mercy website with complete information about the year, including:

• bull of indiction
• prayer
• logo
• hymn
• homilies
• pastoral resources
• doors of mercy information
• calendar

usccb.org  U.S. bishops' web page about the Year of Mercy, including:

• meditations
• monthly action suggestions
• information on spiritual and corporal works of mercy
• pastoral resources

Prayer of Pope Francis for the 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.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;
the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;
made Peter weep after his betrayal,
and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:
“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,
of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:
let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.
You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness
in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:
let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

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,
and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may 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 the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and
ever. Amen.