‘I have decided to announce an Extraordinary Jubilee which has at its centre the mercy of God. It will be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live in the light of the word of the Lord: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (cf. Luke 6:36). And this especially applies to confessors! So much mercy!’ Pope Francis.
During The Holy Year of Mercy (6 December 2015 – 20 November 2016) all are invited to make their own individual pilgrimage.
The East Side Door of the Metropolitan Cathedral has been designated as the Holy Door through which those who enter experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.
Within the Cathedral you will also find ‘stations of Mercy’ with leaflets for prayer and reflection. Please take one when you enter the Door of Mercy.
This is a year of mercy rather than severity, of doors and bridges rather than walls and fortresses. Indulgences are granted for pilgrimages, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and for certain special populations – the sick and housebound, prisoners, the deceased, those who carry out the corporal works of mercy.
Along with individual pilgrimages, pastoral areas from across the Archdiocese will be taking part in organised pilgrimages to the Cathedral, on the following dates:
Saturday 9 April – pilgrimage from Leigh, Wigan and Ashton (Numbers 21, 22 and 23).
Saturday 16 April – pilgrimage from Halton and Cheshire Pastoral Areas 19 and 20 (Widnes and Warrington).
Saturday 23 April – pilgrimage from St Helens, Pastoral Area 17, (Haydock and Newton le Willows).
Saturday 30 April – pilgrims from Sefton, Pastoral Areas 7 and 9 (Bottle and Crosby).
Saturday 1 October – pilgrimage from Lancashire, Pastoral Areas 10 and 11 (Southport and Leyland).
Saturday 8 October – pilgrimage from Chorley, Pastoral Area 12 (Chorley plus Euxton and Eccleston).
Saturday 15 October – pilgrimage from West Lancashire, Pastoral Area 13 and 14 (Ormskirk and Upholland).
If you require further information about how to take part, please ring Cathedral House on 709 9222 or email enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk
Jubilee Prayer of Mercy:
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.
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.
