from the Archdiocese Office of Communications, Monday, December 7, 2015

As Pope Francis opens the Holy Year Door to usher in the Jubilee of Mercy for the universal Catholic Church, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond will do the same tomorrow, December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at 12 noon at St. Louis Cathedral. The opening of the Holy Year Door, which was officially closed on Sunday following the 11 am Mass, signals the official start of the Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

In a letter read at all Masses this weekend, Archbishop Aymond wrote, “Passing through the door during the Year of Mercy is a sign that we are pilgrims on a journey seeking Christ and his mercy in our daily lives.” He continued on to write, “This Jubilee Year call us to accept more deeply God’s forgiveness in our loves, especially through Confession, to be able to forgive ourselves for our past sins, and to show mercy to others.” (Read the complete letter here.)

Locally, the Archdiocese of New Orleans has adopted the theme “Try, Show Live God’s Mercy” as a reminder to all of their personal journey to Christ and how each person is called to encounter and witness to one another. More information about local efforts of the Year of Mercy can be found online at http://nolacatholic.org/year-of-mercy.

The opening of the Holy Year Door will occur prior to the beginning of the 12 noon Mass outside of the cathedral. Following the ritual, the congregation gathered will process back into the church along with clergy for the celebration of the Mass for the Feast of the Immacualte Conception, which is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics.  It is a Holy Day Feast that holds special significance for American Catholics, as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is revered as the patroness of the United States.

More information about the global observance of the Year of Mercy can be found on the Vatican’s Year of Mercy website.