Don Flavio Peloso, director general of charitable works organization Opera Don Orione, hailed the “revolution of tenderness” enacted by the pope.
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“I think it will take off more in the new year, once the Christmas celebrations are over”, he said.
The parchments were knock-offs of the calligraphy-filled, personalized Apostolic Blessing parchments that are sold inside the Vatican by Francis’ chief alms-giver to fund the pope’s charitable efforts.
The association of Italian Catholic Doctors and the Pharmaceuticals Bank Foundation also sent their best wishes to Francis for his birthday.
In the decree, the Holy Father declared that from December 8, 2015 (the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) until November 20, 2016 (The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe), the Church celebrates the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
Pope Francis opens the “Holy Door” in Saint John Lateran basilica in Rome, on December 13, 2015. The words of Genesis reflect our own daily experience: we are constantly tempted to disobedience, a disobedience expressed in wanting to go about our lives without regard for God’s will. This is the enmity which keeps striking at people’s lives, setting them in opposition to God’s plan…. The goal of this holy year is to bring the healing balm of God’s love and forgiveness to as many people as possible throughout our broken world.
Highlighting the theme of mercy and concern for the poor, Francis will open a symbolic “holy door” at a Rome homeless shelter on Friday. You don’t buy salvation. The door is Jesus, and he is free!
Those who walk through the open Holy Door should ask the Lord for help in keeping their hearts open, whereby they share the Lord’s love with others, the Pope continued.
Pope Francis stressed the importance of the Sacrament of Confession as an important sign of the Jubilee of Mercy. “This will be a year in which we grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy”. The graces of the holy Eucharist can heal us from minor sins and faults, and the sacrament of penance can heal us of every kind of sin, even the most grievous.
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“Certainly, forgiveness is not easy”, and can not be accomplished on our strength alone. However, one must first recognize their sins and also forgive others in order to fully experience God’s love and forgiveness. “We live the Jubilee starting with these signs that involve the great strength of love”.
