Holy Year of Mercy

In the document, The Face of Mercy (Misericordiae Vultus), Pope Francis formally announced the Holy Year of Mercy (12/8/15 through 11/20/16). He proclaimed the multiple dimensions of the concept, writing that “we need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy…the word reveals the very mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.” He fleshes out its meaning: mercy is the “ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us,…the bridge that connects God and man, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness” (2). In this Catholic Update, we are reminded of ways Jesus demonstrated mercy and that he demanded mercy of his followers. Father Norm explains how this Jubilee of Divine Mercy is a time for the Church and each of us to focus on both being merciful and seeking our Lord’s mercy.