leo Cornelio, the Archbishop of Bhopal solemnly inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Mercy with the opening of the main entrance door of St Francis Assisi Cathedral Church, Jehangirabad followed by the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Sunday at 8.30 am.
“This Extraordinary Holy Year is itself a gift of grace,” the bishop said in his homily. To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.
This will be a year in which we grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy. In passing through the Holy Door, he added. “May we feel that we ourselves are part of this mystery of loveIJ Today as we pass through the Holy Door, we also remember another door, which fifty years ago the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council opened to the world. It was the resumption of a journey of encountering people where they live: in their cities and homes, in their workplaces. Wherever there are people, the Church is called to reach out to them and to bring the joy of the Gospel,” he added.
On Tuesday, December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Mercy first in Vatican followed by all the catholic Churches in the world. There was another similar ceremony held in Assumption Church, Arera colony at 5.30 pm on the same day.
Thousands of Catholics participated in both the Churches. Father Maria Stephen, PRO of the M.P region said that the year of Mercy will end on November 20, 2016. During this year So many spiritual renewal programs will be undertaken he added to experience and to let experience God the Father's Mercy.