The Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly, will mark the conclusion of Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year of Mercy with a special liturgy at 2.30pm in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles, on Sunday 20 November. This event will also mark the publication and launch of Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly’s Pastoral Letter entitled, Come to the Table.
Parishes have been invited to come on pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Assumption, bringing a portable lantern to symbolise the faith of their community. In order to emphasise the theme of pilgrimage parishioners will park at a distance from the cathedral and complete their journey on foot (weather permitting) and leave from there at 2.00pm, led by their lantern. The parishioner chosen to bring the parish lantern to the cathedral will place it before the altar prior to the Mass.
Parishes have been asked to arrange to have photographs taken of the works of mercy that are happening in their parish and/or photographs of how their parishioners experienced the Year of Mercy. These photographs will be used as part of the liturgy of the Mass on 20 November.
Also, as it is November, the Month when the Church remembers its Faithful Departed, parishes have been asked to prepare a list of those who have died in their parish during the past year so that their lives and our hope of eternal life for them can be celebrated in the Mass. The list of those who have died will make up a Book of Remembrance.
As well as entrusting those who have died to God in the hope of eternal life the Archdiocese will celebrate those who have been born into the promise of life in Christ and the hope of eternal life through Baptism. Parishes have been asked to prepare a list of all who have been baptised in their parish during this past year. This list will make up the Book of the Newly Baptised, whom the diocese will pray for as the future of faith in the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly.
The Jubilee Year of Mercy began on 8 December 2015, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. The aim of the Year of Mercy was to allow Catholics around the world to focus on mercy, compassion and forgiveness.
ENDS
