End of the Jubilee Year of Mercy

It has certainly been a busy weekend here Rome - as Pope Francis brings to a conclusion the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.  And I tried to take advantage of these last days of the Jubilee.

The Basilica of St. Peter was all prepared for Sunday's big Mass - including the Year of Mercy banner and also tapestries of St. Michael and St. Joseph.  We contemplated why these two tapestries - my thought is that both of them protect the Church - Michael as the leader of the Heavenly Host - and St. Joseph - as the patron of the Universal Church.

Friday I made my last trip through the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica - as I knew that Pope Francis would close the door on Sunday morning at the Mass.  So I forged my way over to the Basilica - with many other people - to go through the Door and celebrate the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) in order to be able to receive the Plenary Indulgence.

The Holy Door from the inside

And it appeared that I was not the only one with that idea - as LOTS of people were in line for Confession.  I waited with everyone else and, eventually, had my opportunity to go to Confession, say my penance, and offer prayers for our Holy Father in order to fulfill the conditions for receiving a Plenary Indulgence.  (Those conditions are, to be free of all attachment to sin, even venial sin; to make the pilgrimage through the Holy Door, receive Holy Communion, celebrate Confession, and offer prayers for the Holy Father.)

It also happened to be the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul Outside the Walls.  I took note that the dedication candles were lit in the basilica.  I also noted the mural of the Gospel for the day - Jesus calling Peter to step out of the boat and walk on the water.  When he senses how strong the wind is, he doubts and falters.  This leads the Lord to ask, "Oh, ye of little faith.  Why did you falter?"  So many things to ponder in those few words...

Saturday was also a big day - with the Consistory which bestowed the "red hat" on a group of new Cardinals: including the Archbishop of Chicago - who was my rector when I was in seminary at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.  

There was also an awesome story about another of the new Cardinals - a priest from Albania who had been jailed by the Communists, sentenced to death, but survived the Communist era.  The Holy Father met him on a recent pastoral trip and decided to bestow the "red hat" on him in acknowledgement of his tremendous sacrifice and witness to Jesus Christ.  Here's a story that Rome Reports did on this new Cardinal.

After the Consistory, which I did not attend since Cardinal O'Brien is away in the States for various Investitures - including in New York where Bishop Gainer was invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre (I hope they didn't talk about me too much), I was fortunate to attend a reception in honor of the 3 new U.S. Cardinals.  I had the opportunity to greet each of them, offer them my congratulations, and extend to them the best wishes of Cardinal O'Brien.

Today, Sunday, was the big Mass closing the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.  I was surprised to see the LONG LINE of people waiting to get into St. Peter's Square.  Fortunately I had obtained my ticket to concelebrate the Mass seated in the Sacrato - up on the same level as the Papal altar in front of St. Peter's Basilica.  When I arrived in the Braccio di Constantino, where the priests vest for Mass, I ran into some other priests I know from Rome - one who works at the Vatican, another who attends school at the Angelicum with me.

We headed out toward the Mass - and it just seemed a great photo...

On arrival in our seats, I had the opportunity to snap some photos of the Basilica facade and the tremendous crows gathering for the Mass.  

 I don't think I've ever had the opportunity to walk up those central "stairs" that lead up to St. Peter's.

 

As always, we prayed the Rosary as immediate preparation for the Mass.  And here are the vessels prepared for Mass.

As the Bishops and Cardinals entered the Square, I reflected a bit on the universality of the Church - as we can see it displayed in the various vestments warn by bishops of the Eastern Churches.

Just at the beginning of Mass, Pope Francis closed the Holy Door.  No, this is not my video...

Of course, this closing of the Holy Year occurs on the great Solemnity of Christ the King.  My prayer today has been on making Christ the King of our lives - and that only happens when we allow Him to reign in our lives: not our own desires or our own bodies.  That means that penance and self-sacrifice is an important way in which we allow Christ to be the King of our lives.

During Mass, I did snap some photos.

In his homily, the Holy Father said:

“Even if the Holy Door closes, the true door of mercy, which is the heart of Christ, always remains open for us,” Pope Francis said Sunday in a Mass marking the formal close of his jubilee Year of Mercy. “God has no memory of sin, but only of us, of each of us, we who are his beloved children.”

Just before the final blessing, Pope Francis did several things:  First he blessed any religious items people had brought for that purpose.  A friend from home asked if I could purchase some rosaries for him to give to members of his family as Christmas gifts - so I brought them along with me for the Pope's blessing.

Then, Pope Francis signed his newest Apostolic Letter marking the closing of the Holy Year of Mercy,

As Mass ended, we had the opportunity to take some photos - including a photo of the Holy Father greeting some of the Cardinals.

I also took the chance to snap one last photo of the tremendous crowd gathered for the Mass closing the Extraordinary Year of Mercy.

As we walked to where we unvested, we walked past the now closed Holy Door...

It has been an incredible Year of Mercy - one that has brought me somewhere I NEVER thought I'd be - but God's plans are so often surprises to us.  We have only to follow His Will - another way He reigns as King of our hearts.

Happy Feast of Christ the King!