Jubilee of Mercy among India’s survivors of anti-Christian persecution
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Thousands of faithful yesterday took part in the opening of the Holy Doors in the dioceses of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) and Bangalore (Karnataka), marking the official beginning of the Jubilee of Mercy in the dioceses of the world.
Despite the memory of the violent persecutions because of their Christian faith, participants sought “to discover God’s infinite mercy that welcomes everyone and manifests itself in people so as to encounter each one of us."
More than 3,000 people, including priests, nuns and tribal Catholics gathered in Cuttack-Bhubaneswar’s Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cathedral. At 7:30 am (local time), they marched in procession with Archbishop John Barwa, performing typical Sadri tribal dances. Mgr Barwa then read out the Bull proclaiming the Jubilee (Misericordiae Vultus).
The procession moved into the cathedral, where the archbishop opened the Holy Door that looks onto the Adoration Chapel. Elsewhere in the diocese, the deans of cathedrals opened three Holy Doors.
In Jehangirabad, the Archbishop of Bhopal Mgr Leo Cornelio, opened the Holy Door of the Cathedral of St Francis of Assisi at 8:30 am (local time). "The Extraordinary Holy Year is a gift of mercy,” Mgr Cornelio said in his homily during the Mass that followed the inauguration of the Jubilee.
“Going through the Holy Door,” he explained, “is to discover God’s infinite mercy that welcomes everyone and manifests itself in people so as to encounter each one of us."
"This year each of us will grow more strongly through God’s mercy,” the prelate noted. “Can we feel part of this mystery of love? Today we pass through the Holy Door and remember another door, the one the Synod Fathers of the Second Vatican Council opened to the world 50 years ago."
“That was meant as a renewed encounter with people,” he added, “with where they live: cities, homes, and workplace. Wherever people are, the Church is called to approach them and bring to them the joy of the Gospel."
Finally, Mgr Bernard Moras, archbishop of Bangalore, opened the Holy Year of Mercy in St Francis Xavier Cathedral in the suburb of Fraser Town. The ceremony took place at 5 pm (local time), in the presence of several priests, religious and laity.
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