This Holy Year, is a time for the Church to reflect on how it can be 'merciful like the Father' today. Pope Francis desires that the year ‘will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God!' Bull of Indiction: Misericordiae Vultus
Read on for more background on the Holy Year and how it is being celebrated in England and Wales.
Jubilee Hymn
What is a Holy Year?
If we look to the Old Testament, we see that the Israelites associated a jubilee with a time of joy and pardon. "Thou shalt sanctify the fiftieth year," we read in the Book of Leviticus 25:10,"and shalt proclaim remission to all the inhabitants of thy land: for it is the year of jubilee."
Jubilee Years’ have also been celebrated over the centuries by Christians. Pope Boniface VIII is thought to have instituted the first Christian Jubilee in the year 1300 and the number fifty was specially associated in the early thirteenth century with the idea of remission of sin.
Pope Francis explains: ‘I have chosen the date of 8 December because of its rich meaning in the recent history of the Church. In fact, I will open the Holy Door on the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. The Church feels a great need to keep this event alive. With the Council, the Church entered a new phase of her history. The Council Fathers strongly perceived, as a true breath of the Holy Spirit, a need to talk about God to men and women of their time in a more accessible way.' This is what we are called to do during the Holy Year, and beyond!
How will it be celebrated in England & Wales?
The Sacrament of Penance
It is hoped that during the Jubilee Year many people will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession as it's better known, offers us an important way of getting closer to God - to be forgiven for our sins. As Pope Francis puts it ‘it's an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs us on to do our best’.
Below, Bishop John Arnold (now Bishop of Salford) offers a two part catechises on Confession.
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Jubilee of Mercy Indulgences
To experience and obtain the Jubilee of Mercy Indulgence, the faithful are called to:
Advent is a time of preparation and prayer as we await patiently the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at Christmas. It is a time overlooked by our world today; fuelled by profit, the Christmas adverts begin earlier and earlier each year and Christmas lights and trees are put up even before the start of December. As we hear in the Gospel on the First Sunday of Advent, 'Your liberation is close at hand'; very soon God will be amongst us as the child in the manger, so let us utilize the next four weeks to pray, repent and prepare fully for the the coming of the Lord.
This year as a Parish, we are supporting the BOAZ Trust during Advent. BOAZ is a Christian charity that supports Asylum Seekers and Refugees as they apply to remain in the UK and begin to rebuild their lives, after facing atrocities beyond our comprehension in their homelands. The process is very difficult and very little support is offered by the authorities. BOAZ needs our support as they receive no public money. More information can be found here.
Donations can be made through the money boxes above the water stoops in the Narthex. Thank you for your support. Advent project 2015
Posada is a Spanish word, meaning ‘Inn’. The Posada is a Mexican Advent celebration, to symbolise Mary & Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. At St. Peter's we recreate this journey across the parish each day of Advent.
More information and sign up here.
On Tuesday, 8th December, the Fest of the Immaculate Conception, the Holy Father will open the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica and officially begin the Holy Year of Mercy. Pope Francis' hope is that 'the Church (may) echo the word of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, strength and of love. The Jubilee Year 'is an opportunity to deepen our sense of the unique mystery of Jesus Christ and of the indescribable love he offers', Bishop Mark Davies. That merciful love that Christ offers us can be found in the grace of the Sacrament of Penance and in the giving up of his only son who will come amongst us as a child at Christmas.
The Sacrament of Penance is available every Saturday, 11-11.45am at St. Peter's. Other times, see below.
Opening of a Holy Door in the Diocese of Shrewsbury
By popular demand the Lourdes Group are once again organising a Christmas Tree Festival and Craft Fayre. This year it is to be held on Sunday 20th December with the trees displayed in Church. The Craft Fayre will be in the Parish Centre and refreshments will be available after the 10.00am Mass and after the Carol Service in the afternoon. If your Parish Group would like to display a tree or take part in the Craft Fayre please call Helen on 07854928072 or email helenlyons1957@hotmail.co.uk.