Manila/Rome, December 10, 2015, 4:08p.m. – GOD WILL always show mercy upon those who repent.
The faithful was reminded of the constant mercy of God as the Archdiocese of Manila joined the rest of the Catholic world in inaugurating the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle opened the Holy Door at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros on Dec. 9, the day after the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tagle began the celebration by blessing the clergy and laity in front of the Ayuntamiento de Manila. He then opened the Holy Door at the cathedral-basilica, accompanied by persons with disabilities.
He was also accompanied by Glyzelle Palomar and Jun Chura, former street children under the care of Tulay ng Kabataan who encountered Pope Francis in UST during the papal visit last January.
In his homily, Tagle reminded the faithful to believe in God’s mercy, recalling the story of how the Israelites built their nation under a covenant with God.
“God and the Israelites are not equal but why did they still have an agreement? This is because of mercy,” Tagle said. “When we enter that door, we make a commitment [to God].”
The prelate granted plenary indulgence to those who have attended and will attend the opening of the Holy Doors in Manila.
Fr. CJ Serano, a priest at the Archdiocese of Manila and a UST alumnus, said the Jubilee Year aims to promote unity inside the Catholic Church. “The Catholic Church is more powerful and believable if united,” he said.
The 2015 Jubilee Year, which will be celebrated from Dec. 8 this year to Nov. 20 next year, expresses Pope Francis’ key theme of mercy, and grants “extraordinary absolution” to those who confess “reserved sins” such as abortion.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis said “mercy” alone could “triumph over human sin and bring true freedom.”
“God’s mercy, made present in our midst by the incarnation of his Son, is the very heart of the Gospel. This Year of Grace reminds us that mercy is what ‘pleases God most,’ and that it has to find clear expression in our lives and in the Church’s structures,” he said during his regular Wednesday general audience at St. Peter’s Square.
“In today’s world, mercy and forgiveness often appear overwhelmed by self-interest, hedonism and venality, while in the Christian life they can be stifled by hypocrisy and worldliness. Forgetfulness of God’s mercy blinds us even to seeing sin for what it is,” he said.
“That is why this Holy Year of Mercy is so important. Let us ask the Lord to make us ever more aware of his mercy at work in our lives and ever more effective in testifying to its transforming power in our world.” Gabriel M. Agcaoili
“Fr. CJ Serano, a priest at the Archdiocese of Manila and a UST alumnus”, to rectify the information, im seminarian cj serrano of the archdiocese of manila, a resident seminarian of ust central seminary. please be guided accordingly.