EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY D E CE M BE R 8 , 2 0 1 5 – N O V EM BE R 2 0 , 2 0 1 6

PILGRIM PRAYER AND RESOURCE BOOKLET D IO CE S E O F LO N D O N , O NT AR IO

EXPLANATION OF THE 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 (cf. 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.” 1 “In this Jubilee Year, may the Church echo the word of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, strength, aid, and love. May she never tire of extending mercy, and be ever patient in offering compassion and comfort. May the Church become the voice of every man and woman, and repeat confidently without end: “Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old” (Ps 25:6).”2

1

Taken from: http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo/logo.html © 2015 Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization (PCPNE) 2

Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, 2015, #25.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Explanation of the Logo .................................................................................................. 1 Declaration of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy ................................... 4 Diocese of London – The Local Church ..................................................................... 5 Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee ...................................................................... 6 Definitions ............................................................................................................................ 7 Extraordinary Jubilee Year ....................................................................................................................... 7 Mercy –Theological and Biblical Definitions ....................................................................................... 7 Works of Mercy ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Corporal Works of Mercy .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Spiritual Works of Mercy ................................................................................................................................................. 10 Sacrament of Reconciliation.................................................................................................................. 10 Indulgences ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Plenary Indulgence .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 Parish Based Groups – Ministers of Mercy ........................................................................................ 13

Pilgrimage to the Diocesan Holy Door, St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, London ................................................................................................................................ 13 The Holy Door............................................................................................................................................ 14 Brief History of the Cathedral ............................................................................................................... 14 Prayer Upon Entering Through the Holy Door................................................................................. 15

Prayers for Pilgrims of Mercy.................................................................................... 16 The Celebration of Holy Eucharist ....................................................................................................... 16 Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation .............................................................................. 17 Devotional Prayers .................................................................................................................................. 18 Eucharistic Adoration ........................................................................................................................................................ 18 Angel Prayer at Fatima ...................................................................................................................................................... 19

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Spiritual Communion ......................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Holy Rosary .................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy .............................................................................................................................. 19 Chaplet of Divine Mercy .................................................................................................................................................... 20 Litany of Humility ................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Act of Contrition.................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Prayer for the Holy Souls ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Prayer of Mother Theresa ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Prayer of St Augustine ....................................................................................................................................................... 25

Pope Francis reflects on Scripture Passages of Mercy .................................... 26 Pilgrim of Mercy Journal ............................................................................................. 27 Corporal works of Mercy – Journal Entries ............................................................................................................ 28 Spiritual Works of Mercy – Journal Entries ............................................................................................................ 29 Experiences of Mercy – Journal Entries.................................................................................................................... 30

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DECLARATION o f t h e E xt r a or d i na r y J u bi le e Ye ar o f M e rc y

On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 5.30 p.m. before the Holy Door of the Vatican Basilica, St. Peters, on the occasion of the First Vespers of the Divine Mercy Sunday, the Holy Father Francis published the Bull Misericordiae Vultus for the announcement of the Jubilee of Mercy. The Holy Father is asking the entire Church to enter into a time of: learning about God’s mercy, praying for God’s mercy and living a lifestyle of God’s mercy. To assist the Church in the Pope’s declaration, he wrote a Bull of Indiction, Misericordiae Vultus, (The Face of Mercy).3 He begins immediately with the reminder that “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. … Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him.”4 He reminds not only the church, but also the world, that it is the mercy of the Father who grants us salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the mission of the entire church to manifest the mercy of God in the world, both spiritually and corporally. “Every Particular Church (diocese), therefore, will be directly involved in living out this Holy Year as an extraordinary moment of grace and spiritual renewal.”5 December 8, 2015, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, marks the opening of the “Holy Door” at St. Peter’s Basilica Rome (the beginning of the extraordinary jubilee year). The “Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.”6 The end of the extraordinary jubilee

3

See http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo/bolla.html 4

Misericordiae Vultus, #1.

5

Ibid., #3.

6

Ibid., #5.

4

year will be celebrated on the “liturgical Solemnity of Christ the King on 20 November 2016.”7 The Holy Father expresses his desire for this extraordinary year of mercy in stating: “We will entrust the life of the Church, all humanity, and the entire cosmos to the Lordship of Christ, asking him to pour out his mercy upon us like the morning dew, so that everyone may work together to build a brighter future. How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God! May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst!”8

DIOCESE OF LONDON – T h e Lo c a l Ch u r c h

This booklet is to assist the pilgrim people of the Diocese of London to enter into this extraordinary jubilee year of mercy. All are encouraged to enter into a pilgrimage, both interiorly and if possible, physically. “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 their way to the desired destination.”9 The destination is Jesus, who is the Divine Mercy. All the faithful of the Diocese of London are invited to participate in various activities offered through the Diocese and through our local parishes. Some of the events include: making a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter’s in London; celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation especially on the “Day of Confessions” March 9, 2016; attending a special celebration with a pilgrimage to the Canadian Martyr’s Shrine August 24, 2016; the possibility of participating in an international pilgrimage to Rome and other holy pilgrimage sites; participation in the “Diocesan Pilgrim Pass”

7

Ibid., #5.

8

Ibid., #5.

9

Ibid., #14.

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through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy; acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving; adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying for mercy for our Diocese; supporting outreaches to the poor and the marginalized; and other locally organized efforts to create a lifestyle of mercy. With the encouragement of Bishop Fabbro and the direction of the Auxiliary Bishop Dabrowski, we the people of God take seriously the call to conversion and be witnesses of Divine Mercy in the world for the promotion of the New Evangelization. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

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.

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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 for ever and ever. Amen.10

DEFINITIONS EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR A jubilee year has a long historical standing in the life of the Church. The history of ordinary jubilee years are marked by their occurrence every 50 or 25 years. In recent memory we experienced the “Great Jubilee Year” in 2000. This extraordinary jubilee year of mercy has its own unique nature and aims as it is a thematic jubilee on the the 50th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II.

MERCY –THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS “Mercy” a definition: “The disposition toward loving kindness, compassion, and/or forbearance. Mercy impels a person toward concern and a readiness to render assistance. It is also shown to one who offends, in particular the mercy

10

Taken from: http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo/preghiera. html © Copyright Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, Vatican State. This prayer may be said at any time and especially prior to entering through the Holy Door in the diocese. 7

of God to sinners (Neh 9:17; Wis 15:1) (CCC 1422, 1829).”11 Mercy and compassion are intimately connected in the Holy Bible. “Mercy and compassion are most perfectly demonstrated and characterized by God’s own merciful and loving care for his people, and in particular by the gift of mercy through Jesus Christ.”12 So it is that Jesus came to offer the greatest act of mercy, which was to reconcile all things in Himself to the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mercy is the message of the bible, especially in the New Testament. “God’s merciful faithfulness results in sending John the Baptist and then Jesus to save people (Luke 1:50, 54, 58, 72, 78; Eph. 2:4–5). Individuals who are sick or distressed plead with Jesus to have mercy on them (Matt. 15:22; 17:15; 20:30– 31; Luke 17:13; cf. Mark 5:19). Paul emphasizes the salvation of the Gentiles as an ultimate expression of God’s mercy (Rom. 11:30–31; 15:9), and in 1 Timothy Paul’s own salvation (as a former persecutor of the church) is cited as an illustration of God’s mercy (1:13, 16). God’s mercy toward the faithful will manifest itself at the final judgment (2 Tim. 1:18; Jude 21; cf. Luke 16:24). References to mercy were incorporated into early Christian benedictions (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 John 3; Jude 2).”13 Jesus says to his followers, “Take up your cross and follow me.”14 The sufferings and hardships of life are not punishments, but opportunities of mercy. To give and receive mercy. The promise of Jesus is not that life will not have suffering and hardship, but that he transforms suffering and hardship to the glory of the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.

11

Scott Hahn, ed., Catholic Bible Dictionary (New York; London; Toronto; Sydney; Auckland: Doubleday, 2009), 601. 12

John Frederick, “Mercy and Compassion,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). 13

Anthony J. Saldarini and Mark Allan Powell, “Mercy,” ed. Mark Allan Powell, The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (New York: HarperCollins, 2011), 625. 14

Cf. Matt 16:24-28 8

WORKS OF MERCY The Jubilee Year is to enliven in the hearts of the faithful the desire to live mercy in our daily lives. Pope Francis states: “It is my burning desire that, during this Jubilee, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.” 15 Upon reflecting both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and incorporating them into the daily practice of the faith, the “preaching of Jesus is made visible once more in the response of faith which Christians are called to offer by their witness.” 16 The corporal works of mercy and the spiritual works of mercy work in concert with each other. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:14-19) Both faith and works are necessary because both express our love for Jesus and the sharing in Jesus’ mission to reveal the mercy of God the Father to the world. The only way to do the works of mercy is “with our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze, we experience the love of the Most Holy Trinity.”17 CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY Corporal literally means in the flesh. Works of mercy have the hands of believers actively working in the world. Many of the social institutions such as our Catholic hospitals, family services, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, soup kitchens, prolife organizations, food banks and advocacy groups are borne of living the corporal works of mercy. Pope Francis is an example of the corporal works of mercy in action. A clear example of this was when he chose to wash

15

Misericordiae Vultus, #15.

16

Ibid., #16.

17

Misericordiae Vultus, #8.

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the feet of the inmates at a youth detention centre on the solemnity of Holy Thursday in his first year of his pontificate. Traditionally there are seven categories of corporal works of mercy which are biblically based. These are, but not limited to “(1) feeding the hungry; (2) giving drink to the thirsty; (3) clothing the naked; (4) harbouring the stranger; (5) visiting the sick; (6) ministering to prisoners; (7) burying the dead. (cf. Mt. 25:35)” 18 SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY The “spiritual works of mercy: (1) to counsel the doubtful, (2) instruct the ignorant, (3) admonish sinners, (4) comfort the afflicted, (5) forgive offences, (6) bear patiently those who do us ill, and (7) pray for the living and the dead.” 19 It is from the heart of authentic encounter with Jesus, that the believer can offer these spiritual works of mercy.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION The mercy of God is infinite. The human person has free-will to accept this infinite mercy or reject it. The Sacrament20 of Reconciliation is where we can authentically encounter Jesus’ healing mercy. When we open our hearts, fully confessing our sins, desiring to “sin no more” and we receive the words of forgiveness (absolution), then we can share that mercy with others in a more complete way. Pope Francis is urging people to return to the experience of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “Through this experience they (the penitents) are rediscovering a path back to the Lord, living a moment of intense prayer and finding meaning in their lives. Let us place the Sacrament

18

F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 423. 19

Ibid., #15.

20

“An efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit (774, 1131).” Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 898. 10

of Reconciliation at the centre once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God’s mercy with their own hands. For every penitent, it (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) will be a source of true interior peace.”21 One who is forgiven much, loves much. When Jesus visits the house of the Pharisee Simon, he confronts him with the need for forgiveness and mercy with the parable. “‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’” (Luke 7:41–43) He points out to Simon and his guests the necessity of forgiveness and being forgiven. He does not dismiss the sins of the individual, but acknowledge them and releases them from their sins. “‘Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” (Luke 7:47-48) Jesus, in that act of forgiveness, raises the woman up. He restores her dignity as a beloved child of God. Jesus directly calls us to forgive, be forgiven and restore the dignity of the person to their full stature. To sin is not human, it is actually contrary to what it means to be human. When we sin, we make ourselves, in a way, less human and it dehumanizes others. Jesus was fully human, and did not sin. Sin against Jesus disfigured Him through His passion and cross. The purpose of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is to free us from the yoke of sin. (cf. Romans 6:4) No matter what our sins are, the infinite mercy of God is available to everyone. It is up to the person, to admit their sins, to repent of their sins, to receive the mercy of God and finally to take the concrete steps to not repeat that sin. This is the core of Jesus’ healing ministry. (cf. CCC 619-623)

INDULGENCES As it states in the Catechism of the Catholic Church; “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains

21

Misericordiae Vultus, #17.

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under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” In other words, there is an effect when we sin, although we have gone to confession, sincerely repentant, there is still an effect in the world. No sin is private. An indulgence is another great act of mercy by God the Father through the working of the Church He established. 22 “An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.”23 Therefore, the mercy of God the Father is reflected in the mercy of indulgences. Indulgences are not earned, but are offered to the people who open their hearts to receiving the generous gift of God given through the authority of the Church. “It becomes indulgence on the part of the Father who, through the Bride of Christ, his Church, reaches the pardoned sinner and frees them from every residue left by the consequences of sin, enabling them to act with charity, to grow in love rather than to fall back into sin.”24 PLENARY INDULGENCE Granted by the Holy Father for this year of mercy. “Let us live this Jubilee intensely, begging the Father to forgive our sins and to bathe us in his merciful ‘indulgence.’”25 In modern Roman Catholic theology a plenary indulgence is held to remit the whole of the temporal punishment due to an individual’s sins.26 It can

22

Cf. John 20: 19-23 In this passage, Jesus appears to the apostles (the leadership of the Church) and ‘breathes’ on them (known in biblical scholarship as the ‘little Pentecost’) and gives them authority to dispense forgiveness through the power of the Holy Spirit. 23

Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, (herein CCC) #1471.

24

Misericordiae Vultus, #22.

25

Ibid., #22.

26

See F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 1310.

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be offered for ourselves for others or for the holy souls in purgatory. The parameters of a plenary indulgence is to (1) celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (2) to receive Holy Communion (3) pray for the intentions of the Holy Father (usually an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be) and if able physically … (4) enter through the “Holy Door”.

PARISH BASED GROUPS – MINISTERS OF MERCY The life of the Church is made alive through the power of the Holy Spirit. The structure of the Church is not to be inward turning, but outward ministering. Our parishes have many organizations (groups) who do good works of mercy. The basis of service is generosity. There is joy in generosity. When we serve as the Lord has called us to serve, there is fulfillment in that service. There can be a tendency to become closed-in on ourselves, excluding the gifts of others for the sake of protecting our positions and identity. This lack of generosity must not be, so that we can be missionaries of mercy. There must be a spirit of inclusion in all the ministry groups in our parishes. Inclusion does not mean that we all think the same way and do the same things. Inclusion means that those in leadership in our organizations (groups) are not threatened by the many gifts of the Spirit given for the up-building of the Body of Christ. Inclusion means encouraging people to develop and use the gifts of the Spirit. Ministry must not be about who is in power and control, but it must be about humility, generosity and service. It is never “my ministry” but Jesus who ministers through us. We must be open to new ways of ‘being’ and ‘doing’ so that we do not fall into the trap of serving ourselves. There must be a generosity that bears the fruit of mercy. If our efforts are not producing the the fruit, then either it needs to be ‘pruned’ or ‘cut down.’ Some questions to ask in all our organizations (groups) are: (1) How are our activities, meetings, leadership and structures, guided by the Holy Spirit, generously leading people to the healing mercy of Jesus? (2) What needs to change in order that the mission of mercy is fulfilled?

PILGRIMAGE TO THE DIOCESAN HOLY DOOR, S t . P e t er ’s Ca t h e d ra l Ba si li c a , Lo nd o n

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THE HOLY DOOR In Rome, at St. Peters Basilica, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door. “According to ‘Mondo Vaticano,’ a mini-encyclopedia published by the Vatican, the designation of a Holy Door may trace back to the ancient Christian practice of public penitence when sinners were given public penances to perform before receiving absolution. The penitents were not allowed to enter a church before completing the penance, but they were solemnly welcomed back in when their penance was fulfilled. Still today, Holy Year pilgrims enter the basilica through the Holy Door as a sign of their repentance and recommitment to a life of faith.”27 As pope Francis states, “At the discretion of the local ordinary, a similar door (to the ones in Rome) may be opened at any shrine frequented by large groups of pilgrims, since visits to these holy sites are so often grace-filled moments, as people discover a path to conversion. Every Particular Church, therefore, will be directly involved in living out this Holy Year as an extraordinary moment of grace and spiritual renewal. Thus the Jubilee will be celebrated both in Rome and in the Particular Churches as a visible sign of the Church’s universal communion.”28 Bishop Fabbro has designated, through the invitation of Pope Francis, a Holy Door for the diocese at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in London. “The Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.” 29 Exiting the doors, we take God’s mercy to others.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL The cathedral parish of the Diocese of London is located on the corner of Richmond St and Dufferin Ave. in London. The cathedral parish traces its roots back to 1827. The first building was erected in 1834. The current

27

From https://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/proclaiming-the-holyyear-at-the-holy-door/ 28Misericordiae 29

Vultus, #3

Ibid., #3

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church is the fourth building and was completed between 1880 and 1885 under the direction of Bishop John Walsh. St. Peter’s is designed in a cruciform (cross) pattern. The gothic design, upon entering the Jubilee Door, the interior design raises the mind and heart to God with its vaulted ceiling and elaborate decoration and stained glass windows. In 1958, under Bishop John Cody, the cathedral was completed with the addition of the towers and the carillon of bells and the decoration of the side altars.

PRAYER UPON ENTERING THROUGH THE HOLY DOOR To prepare to enter through the Holy Door, reflect on the mercy that God has had for you in your life. Take the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation either before or after entering the Holy Door. Perhaps do an examination of conscience, prior to entering, where we recognize our sins, repent for them and make a resolve not to sin any more. This is an opportunity to truly experience the mercy of God. Offering the following prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father and for the conversion of the world to the heart of mercy. Before entering, pray an ‘Our Father,’ remembering that you are a beloved child of God and that we all belong to God the Father and that Jesus is our brother. Jesus is also the one who has taught us this prayer of obedience to the will of the Father. It is also through Jesus that we are united to all of humanity. Jesus is the Divine Mercy, who through His open side pours forth love and mercy itself. Pray a ‘Hail Mary,’ remembering that through consecrating our hearts through the pierced Immaculate Heart of Mary that we are intimately connected to her Son, Jesus. We entrust our prayers to Mary, Star of the New Evangelization.30 Offer a ‘Glory Be …’ as a reminder that through our Baptism we entered into the Church and were immersed into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

30

See Novo Millennio Ineunte, #58. 15

As we enter through the holy doors we can pray the following or a similar prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God Have mercy on me (my family, my parish community, our diocese, our country, our world) Amen The Holy Spirit guides us in all prayer. (cf. Romans 8:26-27) Perhaps you can offer spontaneous prayers of thanksgiving for God’s mercy, and that all who call themselves Christian may be examples of mercy in the whole world for the sake of the proclamation of the Good News. Pray that the Holy Spirit inspires people to be missionaries of mercy; feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty; clothing the naked; welcoming the stranger; visiting those sick or in prison. (cf. Matt 25:31-46) Pray that the the Holy Spirit will move through us, in Jesus’ name to be instruments of God’s mercy in a wounded world in need of justice, peace and reconciliation. If possible, visit various areas of the cathedral such as the tabernacle area, the stations of the cross or Our Lady Chapel. If there is a priest available to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation, then do so. Open wide the doors of your heart, to receive the Mercy of God! When we leave the cathedral, we go out the doors to bring mercy to the world. We become, as it were, missionaries of mercy. Make a resolve in your heart that you will obedient to where the Holy Spirit leads you, in order to be like the merciful Father.

PRAYERS FOR PILGRIMS OF MERCY THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY EUCHARIST “The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ … all ecclesiastical (church) ministries and works of the apostolate (works of mercy), are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the

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blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.”31 In other words, all the work of mercy has it’s beginning and end in the celebration of mass. The Church’s mission is to bring all things into communion with Jesus. Jesus is mercy. It is a great act of mercy to invite people to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist.

CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION It is encouraged to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation at least two times a year. The habitual celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation helps the person to be honest with themselves and in their spiritual journey. “To stick to the way of evil will only leave one deluded and sad. True life is something entirely different. God never tires of reaching out to us.”32 A special effort can be made to celebrate the sacrament with the mind of conversion and mercy. If you have not celebrated the sacrament in some time … DO NOT BE AFRAID. Fear can paralyze us, and we want to be free. Use this simple guide to return to the regular sacrament of reconciliation. 1) Reflect on your life with an eye to where the healing hand of Jesus can touch. Be honest with the sins you have committed so that they may no longer have power in your life. There are several good examinations of conscience on the web. One recommendation is to go to the Knights of Columbus website and click on the pamphlet for examination of conscience.33

31Catechism

of the Catholic Church, #1324. (Note: “Christ our Pasch” is in reference to Jesus being the lamb of sacrifice, who takes away the sins of the world – this is the ultimate gift of mercy that Jesus has done by His suffering, death and resurrection – to mercifully redeem the human race) 32

Ibid., #19

33

For and excellent, simple examination of conscience which can be ordered through your local Knights of Columbus for the parish, see: http://www.kofc.org/en/resources/cis/devotionals/2075.pdf 17

2) Enter into the confessional with the priest celebrant and say “Bless me father, for I have sinned. It has been ______ since my last confession, and these are my sins.” 3) The priest will often say a prayer or simply state your sins. The sacrament of reconciliation is not to be confused with spiritual direction although can be in the context of spiritual direction. The sacrament is a time to be direct and not make excuses for our sins. It is always a passage from slavery to freedom as children of God. 4) Once you have finished confessing all the sins you can remember, then state: “For these sins and for the sins I cannot remember, I ask pardon and peace.” 5) The priest will offer a bit of advice and then give you a penance (a small act of sacrifice for atonement.) He then will ask to you pray and act of contrition. There are many different acts of contrition. A simple act of contrition is: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen” 6) The priest will pray the prayer of absolution: “God the Father of mercy …” At the end of the prayer of mercy and absolution, the priest will make the sign of the cross, and you do the same. 7) You can then thank the priest and go and fulfill your penance giving God the Father of mercy praise and thanksgiving for the new found freedom.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYERS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the face of Jesus and meditate on the mercy of God. Spending time in adoration, helps one’s heart grow in mercy. St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta insisted that she and her sisters spend at least one to two hours before the exposed Blessed Sacrament before engaging in the corporal works of mercy. This was to give strength to the soul to reach out to the needs of the poor. In a way, it helps one to be in touch with one’s own poverty in order to address the poverty of the other. Various parishes across the diocese offer the opportunity for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Contact your local parish for the times and location of adoration. 18

ANGEL PRAYER AT FATIMA An angel appeared to the three children of Fatima and taught them this prayer. It can be prayed in the context of the rosary, as a personal devotion or at adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It is a prayer pleading for mercy and encouraging devotion. My God, I believe, I adore and I love You! I beg pardon for those who do not believe, nor adore, nor hope, nor love You. Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I adore You profoundly. I offer You the most precious Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world in reparation or the outrages, sacrileges and indifference by which He is offended. And, through the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of you conversion of sinners. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION For those who find themselves in circumstances that are limited or restricted physically, one can make a spiritual act of communion. Offering our sacrifices for families and parishes, that they may experience the mercy of God. One can also be united to the poor through our own sacrifices and heeding the call of Christ to sell what we have and give it to the poor and follow Him. THE HOLY ROSARY The rosary is known as the ‘summary of the Gospel,’ when one meditates on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, one can meditate on the great mercy God has given through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The apparitions approved by the Church of Our Lady are urgent signs and messages of mercy for our age. There are many resources available to guide one through praying the rosary. One such resource is the “Scriptural Rosary” offered in the Diocese through the Knights of Columbus. HAIL HOLY QUEEN, MOTHER OF MERCY “Mary attests that the mercy of the Son of God knows no bounds and extends to everyone, without exception. Let us address her in the words of the Salve

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Regina, a prayer ever ancient and ever new, so that she may never tire of turning her merciful eyes upon us, and make us worthy to contemplate the face of mercy, her Son Jesus.”34 Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus, O merciful, 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. Amen. CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY The chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed on the beads of the Holy Rosary. It was given to St. Faustina. “Our prayer also extends to the saints and blessed ones who made divine mercy their mission in life. I think especially 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.”35 In St. Faustina’s diary Jesus expresses His desire to be united with all people in prayer. After Communion today, Jesus told me how much He desires to come to human hearts. I desire to unite Myself with human souls; My great delight is to unite Myself with souls. Know, My daughter, that when I come to a human heart in Holy Communion, My hands are full of all kinds of graces which I want to give to the soul. But souls do not even pay any attention to Me; they leave Me to Myself and busy themselves with other things. Oh, how sad I am that souls do not recognize Love! They treat Me as a dead object.36

34

Misericordiae Vultus, #24

35

Ibid., #24.

36

Kowalska, St. Faustina, Diary of Sr. Faustina, #1385 November 19. 20

We pray that Jesus never be a dead object, but the object of our love, devotion and divine mercy. 1. Make the Sign of the Cross 2. Optional 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. 4. 5. 6.

Our Father Hail Mary The Apostle's Creed Eternal Father

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 Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads. 9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times) Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 10.

Optional Closing Prayer

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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. (Repeat 3 times the following prayer) Jesus, I trust in you Sign of the cross37 LITANY OF HUMILITY O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, R: Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved...
 From the desire of being extolled ...
 From the desire of being honored ...
 From the desire of being praised ...
 From the desire of being preferred to others...
 From the desire of being consulted ...
 From the desire of being approved ...
 From the fear of being humiliated ...
 From the fear of being despised...
 From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
 From the fear of being calumniated ...
 From the fear of being forgotten ...


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Taken from: http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php 22

From the fear of being ridiculed ...
 From the fear of being wronged ...
 From the fear of being suspected ... That others may be loved more than I, R: Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be esteemed more than I ...
 That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
 That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
 That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
 That others may be preferred to me in everything...
 That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…38 ACT OF CONTRITION Traditional: My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.39 Simple: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen

38

Taken from: https://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/humility.htm

39

Taken from: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=43 23

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SOULS Immortal God, holy Lord, Father and Protector of all You have created, we raise our hearts to You today for those who have passed out of this mortal life. In Your loving mercy, Father of all, be pleased to receive them in Your heavenly company, and forgive the failings and faults they may have done from human frailty. Your only Son, Christ, our Saviour, suffered so cruelly that He might deliver them from the second death. By his merits may they share in the glory of His victory over sin and death. For all the faithful who have died we pray, but in particular for those dear to us, parents, relatives and friends. nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth, who helped us by their prayers, sacrifice and example We pray also for any who may have done us harm, and stand in special need of Your forgiveness. May the merits and prayers of our Virgin Mother, Mary, and those of all the Angels and Saints, speak for us and assist them now. This we ask in Christ's name. Amen.40 PRAYER OF MOTHER THERESA RAY WILLIAMS TOLD A STORY ABOUT MOTHER TERESA.

40

Taken from: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=555 24

One day, a cameraman was filming Mother Teresa for a documentary, while she was caring for some of the most wretched of the poor of Calcutta. As she cleaned the sores of one man, wiping up the pus and bandaging his wounds, the cameraman blurted out, "I wouldn't do that if you gave me a million dollars." To which Mother Teresa replied, "Neither would I." That spirit of Christian charity suffuses this prayer, which Mother Teresa prayed daily. And this prayer reminds us that the reason we care for the bodily needs of others is that our love for them makes us long to bring their souls to Christ. We act as Christ did so that others may not only hear the words of Christ through the preaching of His Gospel but may see Him in everything we do. "Faith without works is dead": but faith that results in works can plant the seeds of faith in others. THE DAILY PRAYER OF MOTHER TERESA Dear Jesus, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. Amen.41 PRAYER OF ST AUGUSTINE Saint Augustine (354-430) experienced great mercy in his life. His conversion was great. He had an authentic encounter with Christ and chose to change his ways through the gift of the Holy Spirit. His mother, St. Monica, prayed for his conversion for years. St. Augustine was inspired to write many prayers, one of which is the following poetic prayer to the Holy Spirit: HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

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Copied from: http://catholicism.about.com/od/dailyprayers/qt/DailyPrayer-Of-Mother-Teresa.htm 25

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.42

POPE FRANCIS REFLECTS ON SCRIPTURE PASSAGES OF MERCY To know the mercy of God and to be a missionary of mercy, we must be familiar with God’s holy Word. Taking the time to make Sacred Scripture part of our journey of Mercy is key to experiencing mercy and being disciples of mercy. Pope Francis states; “With our eyes fixed on Jesus and his merciful gaze, we experience the love of the Most Holy Trinity. The mission Jesus received from the Father was that of revealing the mystery of divine love in its fullness. “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8,16), John affirms for the first and only time in all of Holy Scripture. This love has now been made visible and tangible in Jesus’ entire life. His person is nothing but love, a love given gratuitously. The relationships he forms with the people who approach him manifest something entirely unique and unrepeatable. The signs he works, especially in favour of sinners, the poor, the marginalized, the sick, and the suffering, are all meant to teach mercy. Everything in him speaks of mercy. Nothing in him is devoid of compassion. Jesus, seeing the crowds of people who followed him, realized that they were tired and exhausted, lost and without a guide, and he felt deep compassion for

42

Copied from: http://www.loyolapress.com/holy-spirit-prayer-of-saintaugustine.htm 26

them (cf. Mt 9:36). On the basis of this compassionate love he healed the sick who were presented to him (cf. Mt 14:14), and with just a few loaves of bread and fish he satisfied the enormous crowd (cf. Mt 15:37). What moved Jesus in all of these situations was nothing other than mercy, with which he read the hearts of those he encountered and responded to their deepest need. When he came upon the widow of Nain taking her son out for burial, he felt great compassion for the immense suffering of this grieving mother, and he gave back her son by raising him from the dead (cf. Lk 7:15). After freeing the demoniac in the country of the Gerasenes, Jesus entrusted him with this mission: “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mk 5:19). The calling of Matthew is also presented within the context of mercy. Passing by the tax collector’s booth, Jesus looked intently at Matthew. It was a look full of mercy that forgave the sins of that man, a sinner and a tax collector, whom Jesus chose – against the hesitation of the disciples – to become one of the Twelve.” 43

PILGRIM OF MERCY JOURNAL The purpose of this section of the pilgrim booklet is to record our active participation in our corporal and spiritual works of mercy of which our Holy Father has asked us to be full participants in. It is not intended as a check list, but a journal of actively putting into practice the works of mercy. We ask the Holy Spirit to impel and inspire us, like the early followers of Christ and those in our rich history of faith, to respond to the need for mercy in our world. It is suggested that we write the date, identify the work of mercy and give a short testimony of the experience we had encountering Jesus in helping others to do the same. For example, not just feeding the poor, but eating with them and engaging in relationship with them. By bringing mercy into relationships that are broken and wounded. Keep this mercy journal as a help to continue the ‘habit’ of mercy.

43

Misericordiae Vultus, #8.

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CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY – JOURNAL ENTRIES (1) feeding the hungry; (2) giving drink to the thirsty; (3) clothing the naked; (4) harbouring the stranger; (5) visiting the sick; (6) ministering to prisoners; (7) burying the dead. (cf. Mt. 25:35)

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SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY – JOURNAL ENTRIES (1) to counsel the doubtful; (2) instruct the ignorant, (3) admonish sinners, (4) comfort the afflicted, (5) forgive offences, (6) bear patiently those who do us ill, and (7) pray for the living and the dead.

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EXPERIENCES OF MERCY – JOURNAL ENTRIES Use the following blank pages to highlight personal experiences of God’s mercy. How have you experienced God’s mercy? How have you shown God’s mercy in your life? What areas do you want to grow in mercy. What areas do you find the hardest to show and be mercy? What habits of mercy do you want to incorporate in your life?

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D IO CE S E O F LO N D O N , O NT AR IO 2015