SUNDAY JANUARY 24, 2016
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Pope opens last Holy Door in Rome for Year of Mercy Says God’s mercy knows ‘no limits’ as it frees people from bitterness and despair VATICAN CITY – God’s ability to forgive “knows no limitsâ€? as His mercy frees people from bitterness and despair, Pope Francis said. “The Church’s forgiveness must be every bit as broad as that offered by Jesus on the cross and by Mary at His feet. There is no other way,â€? he said after opening the Holy Door of the Basilica of St Mary Major on Jan 1, the feast of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Prayer for Peace. 2Q WKH ÂżUVW GD\ RI WKH QHZ year, Pope Francis opened the last holy door in Rome as part of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy. +H RSHQHG WKH ÂżUVW RI IRXU Holy Doors on Dec 8 in St Peter’s Basilica. On Dec 13, he opened the second Holy Door in St John Lateran Basilica while US Cardinal James Harvey also opened the Holy Door at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls. “The door we have opened is, in fact, a Door of Mercy,â€? he said in his homily on Jan 1, referring to the Roman basilica’s large bronze doors depicting Mary presenting her resurrected son, Jesus. “Those who cross its threshold are called to enter into the merciful love of the Father with complete trust and freedom from fear; they can leave this basilica knowing with certainty that Mary is ever at their side,â€? especially during times of trouble and sorrow, he said. At the church dedicated to Mary and on her feast day as Mother of God, the pope explained how Mary is the mother of mercy because she bore “the very face of divine mercy,â€? the son of God “made incarnate for our salvation.â€? “Mary is an icon of how the Church must offer forgiveness to those who seek it. The mother of forgiveness teaches the Church that the forgiveness granted on Golgotha knows no limits. Neither
tinues to demean the weak, relegating them to the most squalid outskirts of our world,â€? he said. On Dec 31, Pope Francis said during an evening prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica that the gift of mercy is a light that helps Christians UHĂ€HFW RQ WKH SDVW \HDU DQG UDGLDWHV hope at the start of the new year. While retracing the events of 2015 may recall moments of both joy and sorrow, it also offers a moment to understand the presence of God who “renews and sustains with his help,â€? he said. Although the past year may bring both happy and painful memories, he said, it also challenges Christians to ponder on whether world events occurred according to
Mary offers the world Jesus, who in turn, offers that forgiveness which ‘renews life, enables us once more to GR *RGÂśV ZLOO DQG ÂżOOV us with true happiness.’ – Pope Francis
Pope Francis prays after opening the Holy Door before celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome on Jan 1. The Holy Doors of Rome’s four major basilicas are now open. CNS photo
the law with its quibbles, nor the wisdom of this world with its distinctions, can hold it back,â€? he said. Mary offers the world Jesus, who in turn, offers that forgiveness which “renews life, enables us once PRUH WR GR *RGÂśV ZLOO DQG ÂżOOV XV with true happiness,â€? the pope said. After the Mass, the pope symbolically opened another door, this time the large iron gates in front of a smaller chapel housing a Marian icon he is particularly devoted to
– the Salus Populi Romani (health of the Roman people). The pope also celebrated Mass in St Peter’s Basilica in the morning to mark the Marian feast day. God is present in human history, he said, despite signs and events that “tend to make us think instead that He is absent.� “Sometimes we ask ourselves how it is possible that human injustice persists unabated, and that the arrogance of the powerful con-
God’s will or through people’s plans, which are “often loaded with private interests, an unquenchable thirst for power and gratuitous violence.â€? The pope said Christians must interpret the signs given by God to truly see His merciful love. Even though the year was marred by violence and the suffering of people Ă€HHLQJ IRU EHWWHU OLYLQJ FRQGLWLRQV there were also gestures of goodness, love and solidarity, even if they are not covered by the news. “Good things,â€? he said, “never make the news.â€? “These signs of love cannot and should not be obscured by the strength of evil,â€? the pope said. “Good always triumphs, even if in some moments it may seem weaker and hidden.â€? „ CNS
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INSIDE ASIA Bringing the Church to the slums Philippine cardinal shares New Year joy „ Page 6
Taiwan launches 1st Catholic TV Channel works with other religions „ Page 7
POPE FRANCIS Singing is good for the soul . . . He tells young choristers „ Page 10
Pope’s big decision on the family The countdown is on „ Page 13
QUESTIONS ON THE FAITH Can one eat food offered to spirits? Reader poses question „ Page 14
FOCUS Thoughts on the ‘prosperity gospel’ Fr Garcia dissects the issue „ Pages 16-17