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This document, titled ‘Misericordiae Vultus’ The Face of is Francis’ official Bull announcing the Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy, in 2016. This long document contains Francis’ thoughts. It seems to me that it could benefit from a wide audience. I have, therefore, made this three page summary, which you might like to see. Do pass it on, if you feel other people might be interested.

The Bull Misericordiae Vultus 2015. The Face of Mercy

1 Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy 2 We need to contemplate this mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity and peace. Our salvation depends on it. 3 The extra-ordinary Holy Year for our witness to grow stronger. The Holy Door is a door of mercy 4 50th anniversary of the closing of the , we need to rediscover the true breath of the Holy Spirit. “channelled in one direction to the service of mankind, of every condition, in every weakness and need.” 5 Francis wishes the year to be ‘steeped in mercy’ it is a balm to reach everyone, as a sign of the kingdom of God. 6 Thomas Aquinas “It is proper to God to exercise mercy and he manifests his omnipotence particularly in this way.” Patience and mercy describe God’s nature. This is not an abstract notion, but real like a mother & father’s love for their child. 7 “His mercy endures for ever” Psalm 136. Jesus and his friends sang it after the last supper, before going to the garden. In mercy he enters the Passion 8 Eyes on Jesus, we encounter the Trinity. He is mercy, all his signs for sinners, poor, marginalised, the sick, the suffering, teach mercy. Francis gives many examples. Cf the call of Matthew. St Bede writes miserando atque eligendo ‘Jesus looked on Matthew with merciful love and chose him’. This is ’ motto as a bishop. 9 Luke 15. Three stories about sheep, coin and two sons. Mercy fills the heart with love and brings consolation through pardon. 77 times 7 times Matthew 18.22 He is merciful and we should do likewise. 10 Mercy is the very foundation of the church. Mercy is a force that re- awakens us to new life and instils in us the courage to look to the future with hope. 11 Francis quotes St John Paul 11, Is our present day mentality opposed to a God of mercy? We need to proclaim mercy today. The church lives an authentic life when she professes and proclaims mercy 12 The mercy of God is the beating heart of the gospel. This will inspire the people to find the road that leads to the Father. In our parishes, communities and movements, wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident. 13 Be merciful as your Father is merciful Luke 6.36.We must be still and meditate on this Word, to adopt it as our lifestyle. 2

14 The practice of Pilgrimage has a special place, because it represents the journey each one of us make in life. Either to Rome, or some other local Holy Door, crossing the threshold of conversion. Judge not and you will not be judged Luke 6.37. “How much hard words do, when they are motivated by feelings of jealousy and envy. To speak ill of others puts them in a bad light, undermines their reputation and leaves them prey to the whims of gossip. By refraining from judgement we accept the good in every person and spare him the suffering of our partial judgement. When we forgive we express mercy. We can be instruments of mercy because we have received mercy from God. Merciful like the Father is the motto of the Holy Year. Touched by his compassion, we can be compassionate to others. 15 In this Holy Year we look forward to opening our hearts to those living on the outermost fringes of society. They are wounded and they have no voice. We must not be indifferent or busy or cynical. We must open our eyes and see the wounds of our brothers and sisters. They need to feel the warmth of our friendship. In the jubilee year, Francis asks (‘my burning desire’) that Christian people will reflect the corporal and spiritual . Matthew 25.31-45 shows us the criteria by which we will be judged. St John of the Cross says, “as we prepare to leave this life, we will be judged on the basis of love” 16 St Luke quotes Jesus citing Isaiah about a “Year of Mercy”. We are asked to bring liberty and freedom to those bound by modern forms of slavery: to help people who cannot see any more; to restore dignity to those from whom it has been robbed. 17 In 2016 Lent should be lived more intensely, helping us to re-discover the merciful face of the Father. This is though prayer, fasting and works of . Francis suggests “24 hours for the Lord” on the Friday and Saturday preceding the Fourth Week of Lent. 4th & 5th March, 2016, to seek a return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests should remember that “good penitents make good confessors” Priests must run like the father in the parable to embrace the penitent. Express the joy with them. Remember to go out to the elder brother too, who cannot show mercy. Priests, “don’t ask useless questions” but accept the plea for help and mercy. “priests are called to be a sign of mercy, always, everywhere, and in every situation, no matter what. 18 The Pope will send out ‘missionaries of mercy’ to make things easy, to liberate and to overcome obstacles in order to take up again, the new life of baptism. He asks bishops to facilitate these missionaries and to celebrate confession themselves with their people. Pastors should be diligent in calling people “to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and grace” Hebrews 4.16 19 This message is for everyone. People belonging to organised crime. Life does not depend on money. The same invitation is for those involved in corruption. It shatters the plans of the weak. Its evil spreads and causes great scandal. This is the opportune moment to change our lives. All we need to do, is to accept the invitation. 20 Justice and mercy are not contradictory realities. They complement each other. Justice is fundamental for our civil society. It is due to each individual 3

21 Mercy is not opposed to justice. It is God’s way of reaching out to the sinner. God goes beyond justice with his mercy. 22 God is indulgent, always ready to forgive. He forgives traces and burdens left by past actions, enabling us to grow. The Church is a communion of saints. Their holiness comes to the aid of our weakness. We approach the Father’s mercy beseeching him to help us. 23 We are linked to Judaism and Islam, which both consider ‘mercy’ to be one of God’s most important attributes. “Merciful and kind” is what Muslims call God. Can this Holy Year foster dialogue with ‘other noble religious traditions?’ 24 Mary is our Mother of Mercy. Because she is his mother, no one has penetrated the mystery of the Incarnation like Mary. She bore the Crucified and Risen One. God’s love prepared her for this task. She is the Ark of the covenant between God and man. Look at her Magnficat Luke 1.50. With St John at the foot of the cross, she heard Christ pardon those who had put him to death. The mercy of the Son of God knows no bounds, without exception. Pope Francis asks us to pray the Salve Regina, the Hail Holy Queen. We should also ask for the intercession of the saints, like St Faustina. 25 Let us allow God to surprise us. He never tires of throwing open the doors of his mercy. At a time of great hopes and contradictions, the church feels the need to proclaim God’s mercy. Professing it and living it is the core of the revelation of Jesus Christ at the heart of the Trinity. It is like a great river….a spring that never runs dry. The mercy of God never ends. In this Jubilee year, the Church echoes Psalm 25.6 “Be mindful of your mercy O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.”

Given in Rome, at St Peter’s, on 11th April in the year of our Lord 2015, the third of my pontificate.

FRANCISCUS