EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY “Merciful Like the Father” Celebrating the Year of Mercy

INTRODUCTION It’s all about MERCY. This booklet is an introduction to the universal call to celebrate the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. It is a devotional guide, a companion, designed to assist you in contemplating the face and the mystery of mercy. It is an instrument to help you achieve a rich, rewarding and healing experience of God’s mercy throughout the year. It is a catechetical tool which brings to the fore and magnifies centuries-old practices of the Church which aim at reconciling the individual with God and the Body of Christ. Finally, it is a facilitator to transformation, whereby the reader is drawn in, saturated and steeped in mercy, so as to be amply filled apostles ready to administer the balm of mercy to those in need. Come one and come all. The Door remains open for you. Enter and experience the fruits of Divine Mercy.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We give all glory, praise, honor and thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit, Who inspired creativity in each one of us in our particular tasks, to bring this work to completion: worship committee members on content, design, development, publication, and implementation; intercessors, translators; pastoral staff on scheduling, publication and integration; ladies’ altar society on funding, design and adornment of the mercy corner; facility manager’s construction and installation of the mercy corner; printing assistant’s advisement and procurement on publicity material; social services ministry on food drive, parish catechetical leaders and youth ministers on integration of jubilee activities over the course of the year; choir & music ministers on lyrics and other musical adaptations; parish leadership who will encourage the use of this booklet in their communities and ministries; retreat participants who will partake of the Medicine of Mercy in order to administer the same to others; the many volunteers whose participation and collaboration have yet to be discerned, and the various extra-parochial resources from which valuable material and insight were gleaned.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................................... i Acknowledgements ......................................................... ii Prayers Prayer of Pope Francis ............................................... 1 Salve Regina .............................................................. 2 Memorare ................................................................... 3 Merciful Lord ............................................................. 3 Chaplet of Divine Mercy ........................................... 4 Praises of the Divine Mercy ....................................... 6 What is the Jubilee Indulgence? ..................................... 8 Basic requirements ..................................................... 9 Conditions .................................................................. 9 Frequency ................................................................... 10 The Sick, Elderly or Imprisoned ................................ 11

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The Holy Door of Mercy ................................................ 12 The Holy Door of Mercy—Symbolism .......................... 14 The Practice of Pilgrimage .............................................. 15 What is Mercy? ............................................................... 16 Works of Mercy .............................................................. 17 Mercy Scripture .............................................................. 18 Mercy Quotations............................................................ 20 St, Faustina, Apostle of Mercy………………………….21 What is the Mercy Corner? ............................................. 22 Year of Mercy Logo........................................................ 24 Pastor’s Jubilee Prayer .................................................... 26

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PRAYER OF POPE FRANCIS FOR THE JUBILEE 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.

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SALVE REGINA~~Hail, Holy Queen Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. ℣

Pray for us O holy Mother of God,

℟ that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God, who by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit did prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary to become a dwelling place meet for thy Son: grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration; so by her fervent intercession we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

I am not only the Queen of Heaven, but also the Mother of Mercy and your Mother. ~~ Our Lady to Saint Faustina (330) 2

MEMORARE REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. MERCIFUL LORD ~~ St. Catherine of Siena Merciful Lord, it does not surprise me that you forget completely the sins of those who repent. I am not surprised that you remain faithful to those who hate and revile you. The mercy which pours forth from you fills the whole world. It was by your mercy that we were created, and by your mercy that you redeemed us by sending your Son. Your mercy is the light in which sinners find you and good people come back to you. Your mercy is everywhere, even in the depths of hell where you offer to forgive the tortured souls. Your justice is constantly tempered with mercy, so you refuse to punish us as we deserve. O mad Lover! It was not enough for you to take on our humanity; you had to die for us as well. COMMUNITY PRAYER 1 ~~ Psalm 51:3-12 Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes so that you are just in your word, and without reproach in your judgment. Behold, I was born in guilt, in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, you desire true sincerity and secretly you teach me wisdom. Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities. A

clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. 3

THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY (476) The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Faustina and followed by a closing prayer.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2. Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. (Repeat three times) O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! 3. Our Father Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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4. Hail Mary Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. 5. The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father on each large bead Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. 7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 8. Repeat for the remaining decades The "Eternal Father" on the "Our Father" bead and then ten "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" on the following "Hail Mary" beads. 9. Concluding prayer (repeat three times) Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 10. Closing Prayer Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself. (950) 5

PRAISES OF THE DIVINE MERCY (Diary, 948-949) The Love of God is the flower—Mercy the fruit. Let the doubting soul read these considerations on Divine Mercy and become trusting. Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, .......................................................................... I trust in You. Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, .............................. Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery, ........................... Divine Mercy, fountain gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, ........................................................... Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, ................................ Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, ................... Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe, ............... Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word,..................................................................... Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, ....................................................................... Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially for sinners,............................................................ Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the Sacred Host,.. Divine Mercy, in the founding of Holy Church, ................... Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, ............... Divine Mercy, in our justification through Jesus Christ, ......

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Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, .... Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life, ................... Divine Mercy, accompanying us every moment of our life, Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fire of hell, ................. Divine Mercy, in the conversion of hardened sinners, ......... Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints, .................................................................................... Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all the mysteries of God,....... Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery, ....................... Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, .................. Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence, Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands, ......... Divine Mercy, crown of all of God's handiwork, ................. Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed, ...................... Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts, ................. Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls, ...................... Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear, .............. Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls, ................. Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope, I trust in You. Amen.

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WHAT IS THE JUBILEE INDULGENCE? The Jubilee of Mercy features a very special plenary indulgence (the complete remission of all temporal punishment due to sin). All the faithful, properly prepared, can fully enjoy, throughout the Jubilee of Mercy, the gift of the indulgence. Pope Francis is seeking to make the indulgence as widely available as possible. In the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, a Holy Door is to be opened in every cathedral around the world, as well as in particular shrines where large numbers of pilgrims come to honor the mercy of God. The Jubilee is a year of grace. Therefore, Christians can gain Jubilee indulgence. An indulgence is a decrease of the temporal punishment that resulted from sins you committed and sought forgiveness for. “Temporal punishment" means temporary time spent in the condition of purgatory (purging or purification) and may be accomplished in actual purgatory after death or here on earth now. An indulgence is partial or plenary, as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due sin. Purification is needed even after receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and obtaining God's forgiveness. Often, we still have to pay the consequences of our sins and learn to avoid returning to the same sin. With the indulgence, the repentant sinner receives a remission of the temporal punishment due for the sins already forgiven.

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WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING AN INDULGENCE? Primarily, the person must be in a position to receive them. They must be baptized, that is, a member of the Church. The person must not have been excommunicated because if they were they would not be able to participate in the Church’s indulgences and moments of public prayer. The state of grace is another requirement, because the debt of temporal punishment cannot be “written off” unless the guilt of sin and with it eternal punishment are removed through the sacrament of confession. The person requiring the indulgence must have the intention of acquiring it. Indulgence is not granted to those who do not want it. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS FOR GAINING THE JUBILEE PLENARY INDULGENCE? HOW DOES ONE ACQUIRE AN INDULGENCE? To receive the Jubilee indulgence, one must fulfill the usual conditions outlined and perform the indulgenced act, that is, passing through a designated Holy Door during the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (between Dec. 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and Nov. 20, 2016, the Solemnity of Christ the King) or performing one of the corporal or spiritual works of mercy. 

Be in the state of grace at least at the time the indulgenced act of passing through a designated Holy Door, is completed.

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Have the interior disposition of sincere repentance and complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;

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Have sacramentally confessed sins;

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Receive Holy Communion; and 9

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Pray for the intentions of the Pope. This prayer is left to the choice of the faithful, but an Our Father and a Hail Mary are suggested. 

It is appropriate, but not necessary, that sacramental confession, Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced act is performed, but it is sufficient that these be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.

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One sacramental confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.

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For the sake of those legitimately impeded, confessors can commute both the work prescribed and the conditions required (except, obviously, detachment from even venial sin).

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Indulgences can be applied either to oneself or to the souls of the deceased in purgatory, but they cannot be applied to other persons living on earth.

HOW OFTEN CAN ONE OBTAIN AN INDULGENCE? Even though we can only obtain one plenary indulgence a day, if you perform the required actions for other plenary indulgences on the same day, you can still obtain multiple partial indulgences.

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HOW CAN THE SICK, ELDERLY OR IMPRISONED OBTAIN AN INDULGENCE? As for the Sick and the Elderly, the Holy Father says, "For them it will be of great help to live their sickness and suffering as an experience of closeness to the Lord who in the mystery of his Passion, death and Resurrection indicates the royal road which gives meaning to pain and loneliness. Living with faith and joyful hope this moment of trial, receiving communion or attending Holy Mass and community prayer, even through the various means of communication, will be for them the means of obtaining the Jubilee Indulgence." For the Imprisoned, the Holy Father says, "They may obtain the Indulgence in the chapels of the prisons. May the gesture of directing their thoughts and prayers to the Father each time they cross the threshold of their cell signify for them their passage through the Holy Door, because the mercy of God is able to transform hearts, and is also able to transform bars into an experience of freedom." WELL WISHES FROM THE POPE “I wish that the Jubilee Indulgence may reach each one as a genuine experience of God's mercy, which comes to meet each person in the face of the Father who welcomes and forgives, forgetting completely the sin committed.” ~~ Pope Francis

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20150901_lettera-indulgenzagiubileo-misericordia.html http://www.thedivinemercy.org/jubilee/thebasics/indulgence.php http://www.oursaviours.faithweb.com/Jubilee/indulgence.htm http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/giubileo-jubilee-jubielo-indulgenze-indulgencesindulgencias-39771/

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THE HOLY DOOR OF MERCY "There will be the Holy Door, but it will be the door of God’s great mercy! May it also be the door of our heart for us all to receive God’s forgiveness and for us in turn to forgive, welcoming all those that knock on our door." ~~ Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters: As the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy approaches, today we consider the great open door of God’s mercy, symbolized by the Holy Doors which will open in Churches throughout the world. The recent Synod of Bishops on the Family encouraged families in a particular way to enter this door of mercy and to open the doors of their hearts to others. 12

Jesus tells us that he stands knocking at our door, asking that we open it to him (Rev 3:20). How important it is for us to be good doorkeepers, capable of opening our doors and making our homes places of encounter and welcome, especially to our brothers and sisters in need! Jesus also tells us that he himself is the door (Jn 10:9) which leads to salvation; if we pass through him, we will find lasting security and freedom. As guardians of that door, we in the Church are called to be welcoming to all who seek to enter the fold of the Good Shepherd. May the doors of our Christian homes be signs and symbols of the door of God’s mercy, a door ever open to all who knock and desire to meet Jesus. We have arrived at the threshold of the Jubilee, it is close. Before us is the door, but not only the Holy Door, the other – the great door of God’s Mercy, and it is a beautiful door! – which receives our repentance, offering the grace of His forgiveness. The door is generously open; a bit of courage is needed on our part to cross the threshold. Each one of us has within himself things that burden him. All of us. We are all sinners! Let us take advantage of this moment that is coming and cross the threshold of this mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving, never tires of waiting for us! He looks at us, He is always beside us. Courage! Let us go in through this door! Pope Francis General Audience November 18, 2015

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/general-audience-on-the-door-of-mercy? utm_campaign=dailyhtml&utm_content=[ZE151118]%20The%20world%20seen%20from% 20Rome&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dispatch&utm_term=Image

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HOLY DOOR OF MERCY—SYMBOLISM “Doors are very symbolic. They can represent passage: sin to redemption, life to death, disbelief to faith, and so on. Jesus describes himself as The Door. People have to enter through Christ to get to the Father. The door is the path to salvation. There is also Marian symbolism, since The Blessed Mother is the door through which salvation entered the world. Thus, opening the doors on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception has double meaning. The doors of a Church mark the boundary between the sacred and

the profane. By throwing them open, Pope Francis is emphasizing his desire to throw open the doors of the faith to the world. “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” John 10:9

http://aleteia.org/2015/11/30/when-is-a-door-not-a-door-when-its-a-holy-door/? utm_campaign=NL_en&utm_source=topnews_newsletter&utm_medium=mail&utm_content=NL

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THE PRACTICE OF PILGRIMAGE The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a viator, a pilgrim travelling along the road, making his way to the desired destination. Similarly, to reach the Holy Door in Rome or in any other place in the world, everyone, each according to his or her ability, will have to make a pilgrimage. This will be a sign that mercy is also a goal to reach and requires dedication and sacrifice. May pilgrimage be an impetus to conversion: by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us.

Misericordiae Vultus, Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, para 14

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WHAT IS MERCY? MERCY, noun, mer·cy \ˈmər-sē\ 

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compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also: lenient or compassionate treatment imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for firstdegree murder blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion compassionate treatment of those in distress

Middle English, from Anglo-French merci, from Medieval Latin merced-, merces, from Latin, price paid Merriam Webster on-line dictionary @ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy

MERCY. The disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation. Modern Catholic Dictionary @ http://www.therealpresence.org/cgi-bin/getdefinition.pl

M

is for Mercy.

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SPIRITUAL & CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY from the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Spiritual Works of Mercy       

Instruct the ignorant Counsel the doubtful Admonish sinners Bear wrongs patiently Forgive offenses willingly Comfort the afflicted Pray for the living and the dead Corporal Works of Mercy

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Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Shelter the homeless Visit the sick Visit the imprisoned Bury the dead

Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God. I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Matthew 25:35-36

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MERCY SCRIPTURE So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity. Exodus 34:6 Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 Remember your compassion and your mercy, O LORD, for they are ages old. Remember no more the sins of my youth; remember me according to your mercy, because of your goodness, LORD. Psalm 25:6-7 Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, Who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 For with the LORD is mercy, with him is plenteous redemption, and he will redeem Israel from all its sins. Psalm 130:7-8 Praise the LORD, for he is good; for his mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. Psalm 145:8 Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13 18

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; they are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22-23 You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: only to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Who is a God like you, who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but instead delights in mercy, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our iniquities? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins… Micah 7:18-19 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:13 His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. Luke 1:50 But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your heavenly father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36 19

MERCY QUOTATIONS It is easier for God to hold back anger than mercy. ~~ St. Augustine The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ. ~~ St. Anthony of Padua Mercy is more than simply being compassionate. Mercy is the overflow of charity, which brings with it also an overflow of justice. Mercy means keeping one’s heart totally alive, throbbing in a way that is both human and divine, with a love that is strong, self-sacrificing and generous. ~~ St. Josemaria Escriva Mary, then, is the one who has the deepest knowledge of the mystery of God’s mercy. She knows its price; she knows how great it is. In this sense, we call her the Mother of Mercy: Our Lady of Mercy, or Mother of Divine Mercy. ~~ Pope St. John Paul II

It is not easy to entrust oneself to God's mercy, because it is an abyss beyond our comprehension. But we must! Oh, I am a great sinner! All the better! Go to Jesus: He likes you to tell him these things! He forgets, He has a very special capacity for forgetting. He forgets, He kisses you, He embraces you and He simply says to you: "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more." (John 8:11) ~~ Pope Francis God's mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14). ... Let us be renewed by God's mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish. ~~ Pope Francis 20

St. Faustina, Apostle of Mercy “Our prayer also extends to the saints and blessed ones who made divine mercy their mission in life. I am especially thinking of the great apostle of mercy, Saint Faustina Kowalska. May she, who was called to enter the depths of divine mercy, intercede for us and obtain for us the grace of living and walking always according to the mercy of God and with an unwavering trust in His love.” ~~ Pope Francis

Misericordiae Vultus, Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, para 24

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WHAT IS THE MERCY CORNER? The Mercy Corner is an attractively decorated area in the church lobby where parishioners can reflect on the meaning of the Holy Year of Mercy. It is a devotional area for parishioners of all ages. Children, individually or in groups such as families or those in the faith formation program, may be guided by adults (i.e., parents, teachers and volunteers) to join in a mini-pilgrimage and recite a brief prayer. It is a focal area where youth, young adults and mature parishioners may pause in reverence for a brief moment of prayer. Amid the hectic and hurried course of daily life, the Mercy Corner offers a refreshing respite, an opportunity to immerse oneself in the Oasis of mercy. Our parish community is named after the Lord's Divine Mercy; hence, having a Mercy Corner is an active expression and celebration of this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in union with Catholics all over the world.

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THE YEAR OF MERCY LOGO The logo and the motto together provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about. The motto Merciful Like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38). The logo – the work of Jesuit Father Marko I. Rupnik – presents a small summa theologiae of the theme of mercy. In fact, it represents an image quite important to the early Church: that of the Son having taken upon his shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption. The logo has been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love with the power to change one’s life. One particular feature worthy of note is that while the Good Shepherd, in his great mercy, takes humanity upon himself, his eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, one’s own humanity and the future that lies ahead, contemplating, in his gaze, the love of the Father. The scene is captured within the so called mandorla (the shape of an almond), a figure quite important in early and medieval iconography, for it calls to mind the two natures of Christ, divine and human. The three concentric ovals, with colors progressively lighter as we move outward, suggest the movement of Christ who carries humanity out of the night of sin and death. Conversely, the depth of the darker color suggests the impenetrability of the love of the Father who forgives all.

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PASTOR’S JUBILEE PRAYER O God, fount of life and holiness, give us the grace to experience the fullness of your love and mercy upon all humanity through the passion, death and resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by which you have redeemed us from sin. Help us to be merciful to one another as you have shown mercy upon us. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, fill the darkness of our lives with the light of your grace and make us holy as you are holy. We ask you this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints in glory, in the name of your Son JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD OF DIVINE MERCY. AMEN!

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PARISH MISSION We, the Divine Mercy of Our Lord Catholic Church, are a culturally diverse community that seeks to grow in faith and in fellowship of the Holy Spirit. As the Body of Christ, we celebrate together and witness to others God’s Divine Mercy both in word and in service. We proclaim His infinite love by teaching, through evangelization and formation, and by ministering to the needs of all people, in fulfillment of our common baptismal commitment to love one another as God loves us.

Divine Mercy of Our Lord Catholic Church Parish Council, Worship Committee 1585 E. Cartwright Rd., Mesquite, TX 75149 www.divinemercyofourlord.org 2016