Welcome to the Extraordinary Jubilee - The Year of Mercy!

Rejoice, for He is rich in mercy!

A very happy year is finally upon us, the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. This year will be a time of reconciliation for all the people of the world, especially for lapsed Catholics. Anyone who has committed a grave mortal sin, including the sin of abortion, is welcome to see reconciliation. The year is a reminder that no matter how far we fall, God's mercy and love transcends absolutely everything and bridges every gap.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Jubilee begins on Dec. 8, with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. A jubilee is a time when people are invited to great reconciliation, especially with the Church. In ancient Jewish tradition, a jubilee was celebrated every 50 years and it included the freeing of slaves, the return of property, and creditors were not allowed to collect on debts. In the Catholic Church, jubilees are celebrated every 25 years. However, an extraordinary jubilee can be called at any time by a pope, if he deems it necessary. The current jubilee is an extraordinary one, the next ordinary jubilee is scheduled for 2025.

At the beginning of a jubilee year, the pope opens the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica. The door remains open as a sign that the Church is open to receive all people. In addition to opening the Holy Door, Pope Francis is sending 800 special missionaries around the world to evangelize and encourage people to reconcile themselves with God. These missionaries are also empowered to forgive the gravest sins, including abortion.

In each diocese, cathedrals and other major churches will open their doors and host special events so everyone can participate in the jubilee without having to travel far.

Pope Francis is calling this jubilee to send a message to people around the world, especially to those Catholics who have become estranged from the Mother Church. Pope Francis has asked Church leaders to back off from some of their hard-line rhetoric which has driven some people away from the Church in a time of great social revolution. Instead, Pope Francis wants the Church to fulfill a pastoral function, ministering to the needs of people, rather than directing their lives. It is believed that if the Church is welcoming and loving, then people will pay attention to its most important messages.