Mercy for one another extends beyond Jubilee Year

November 18, 2016

To: Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

This weekend Pope Francis will close the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica. We join with him in a prayer of thanksgiving for the many ways we have celebrated this Year of Mercy in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

In this year, our Holy Father has invited us to accept and appreciate personally God’s tender mercy, which enables us to forgive ourselves and to forgive others. He has also called us to perform works of mercy for others.

In our archdiocese, there have been many opportunities to show God’s mercy. Thousands have entered the “Door of Mercy” at St. Louis Cathedral and the other designated churches and shrines. I am grateful to all those who have helped us in this observance.

Though the Jubilee Year is concluded, we must continue in our personal lives and as a community to be merciful.

Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy” (Matt 5:7).

We live in a time of revenge, judgmentalism and name calling. We are invited to be merciful and to reflect the heart of Christ beyond this Jubilee observance. Mercy is every day and forever!

On this Feast of Christ the King, let us pray for those who painfully do not experience mercy in their lives and those who still find it difficult to forgive others.

May we also lift to the Lord people who have been hurt by members of the Church and have distanced themselves from God and the community of faith. We must continue to do what we can to invite them back to our family of faith.

In closing, be assured of my gratitude to all those who have enabled us to celebrate the Jubilee Year.

Wishing you God’s merciful blessings, and with the assurance of my prayerful support, I am

Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans