This Jubilee Year of Mercy 2015 - 2016

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - 12:00am
Category: Monastery News

Jubilee of Mercy

Pope Francis has declared an extraordinary Jubilee – a Holy Year of Mercy, stating “We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord’s words: ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (cf. Lk 6:36)’”

The Holy Door
The main door of the monastery abbey church was designated a Holy Door, one of seven for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
The monastery is privileged to have hosted a Holy Door and a pilgrim site for our archdiocese during this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Over 40 large parish groups averaging 250+ persons have enjoyed a prayful Day of Pilgrimage to the Holy Door. Accompanied by their parish priest they celebrated Mass and had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

THE CLOSING OF THE HOLY DOOR
The Year of Mercy concluded on November 20, 2016. The closing of the Holy Door here at the monastery was celebrated on Sunday, November 20, the Solemnity of Christ the King with a specially scheduled Mass at 9:00 AM.

Door of Mercy at Monastery
Door of Mercy at Monastery of the Holy Spirit

The holy door is a silent witness to our call to enter into a deeper relationship with the Lord. It is a reminder for all the faithful who pass through it - of our spiritual journey to renew faith and strengthen our Faith.

A holy door or porta sancta has been used since the fifteenth century as a ritual expression of conversion. Pilgrims and penitents pass through it as a gesture of leaving the past behind and crossing the threshold from sin to grace, from slavery to freedom, and from darkness to light. Often these rituals are associated with prayer, pilgrimage, sacrifice, confession, and indulgences.

This update is posted here on November 24th.
 

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