Pope Francis closes the Holy Doors at the Vatican on Sunday, November 20th – Feast of Christ the King, Photo – Daniel Ibaez (CNA)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ Our King and the conclusion of the Jubilee of Year of Mercy. It has been a beautiful gift to the church that Pope Francis began and watch blossom through the year, with a focus on the acts of mercy to bring healing and reconcilation to the world. Pope Francis concluded this Jubilee Year by closing the Holy Door of Mercy, and closing the jubilee with his words of wisdom and signing an Apostolic Letter to be released on Monday. (full text of Pope Francis’ Homily fo the Jubilee of Mercy below).
Today is also the last entry for the MercyHour. Thanks to all the readership and supporters over this past year, we have received a lot of great feedback and we are proud of the acts of mercy that were offered in our communities and worldwide by our readers and contributors. MercyHour.org will remain as an archive for many years to come, and urge you to return to refresh yourself of inspirations from the Jubilee of Mercy. Continue to help bring the Gospel to life!
This morning Pope Francis gifted us with FOUR Papal Tweets to conclude this Jubilee Year of Mercy:
- “May the Jubilee of Mercy, which concludes today, continue to bear fruit in the hearts and works of believers.”
- “Today we close the Holy Door thanking God for having granted us this extraordinary time of grace.”
- “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!”
- “We entrust the life of the Church, all humanity, and the entire cosmos to the Lord, asking him to pour out his mercy upon us.”
Pope closes Jubilee: We are called to instill hope and give opportunity to others (Rome Reports)
Sacrament of Reconciliation – Year of Mercy remembered in the two saints selected as confessors for the Jubilee of Mercy – please continue to pray for their intercession to bring mercy to the world.
St. Pio & St. Leopold, Pray for Us!
We thank Deacon Tom Bello, O.F.S. for starting the MercyHour project, and his words of wisdom will remain in this blog, and also in two upcoming books in 2017. Thanks also to writer Donna Hollis, O.F.S. for her contributuions over the year. May you bring the light and mercy of Christ to others.
Pax Et Bonum,
John Clem, O.F.S.
Here is the latest update from National Minister Jan Parker, O.F.S. on Deacon Tom’s books:
Books by Deacon Tom Bello OFS
Gifts from our former National Minister!
Great news! Deacon Tom Bello OFS has written two books for us. The first is titled For all the Saints: St. Francis’s Five Point Plan for Salvation and Other Spiritual, Fraternal and Personal Reflections for Information, Formation and Transformation in the Secular Franciscan Order. This book would be wonderful for personal or fraternity ongoing formation. It features many of Tom’s writings during his six years as National Minister, and includes reflection questions and some great photos. Tom was ever a teacher, and this first book is truly a Franciscan “text book” that he wanted us to have.
Tom’s second book is entitled Every Day Praise! Ever the pray-er, Tom call us to not only “rejoice always” but to “pray always” as well. This book of daily meditations will lead us to quiet moments with God. The first book should be available by the end of 2016, with the second book to follow in 2017. Thank you, Tom, for these wonderful gifts! May Tom rest in peace and may the perpetual light always shine upon him. Amen.
LINKS
Pope: Full text of homily for Solemnity of Christ the King (Vatican Radio)
56 Ways we were merciful during the Jubilee (Aleteia.org)
At close of Jubilee, Pope Francis says it’s a reminder of what’s essential + NEW Apostolic Letter (CNA)
Now is a time of mercy: Pope issues new Apostolic Letter – Misericordia et misera (“Mercy and Misery”) + link to Full Text (Vatican Radio)
