The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy: Dec 8th 2015 – Nov 20th 2016
Pope Francis on 11 April – the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday – issued “Misericordiae Vultus” or “The Face of Mercy” – the official Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, set to begin on 8 December.
The 28-page bull is the fundamental document for the Holy Year that outlines the overall spirit and intentions for the Jubilee, as well as the spiritual fruits that are hoped for.
In the document, Pope Francis says the Holy or Jubilee Year is “dedicated to living out in our daily lives the mercy” which God “constantly extends to all of us.” He explains the year will begin on 8 December to commemorate both the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, which called the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone.
After the Holy Door of St Peter’s is opened on 8 December, the Holy Doors of the other papal basilicas will be opened in subsequent days. As well, as a sign of communion of the whole Church, the pope has requested that every diocese in the world open a similar “Door of Mercy” for the local celebrations of the Jubilee