An Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy is to be celebrated between December 8, 2015 and November 20, 2016, as announced by Pope Francis. In his announcement, he said: “I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with a spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have decided to call an extraordinary Jubilee that is to have the mercy of God at its center. It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord’s words, ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.’ (Lk 6:36).

Catholics are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to Rome during a Jubilee year, which includes passing through the Holy Doors at the major basilicas there. Since this is not possible for most Catholics, Pope Francis has extended the unique privileges of the official Holy Doors to cathedrals around the world. To make the Jubilee graces even more accessible to pilgrims, the Pope has permitted bishops to designate churches in their dioceses with their own Door of Mercy. Most Rev. Richard Malone, Bishop of the Diocese of Buffalo, designated St. Hyacinth Church, Blessed Mary Angela Parish, Dunkirk, NY to be one of eight churches in the diocese to have a Door of Mercy. By designating St. Hyacinth church an official pilgrimage site, it is possible for pilgrims to have practical access to the same Jubilee experiences of grace and indulgences offered to pilgrims in Rome during this special jubilee year.

The Door of Mercy at St. Hyacinth’s Church will be opened at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 13, the day all designated Doors of Mercy throughout the world are to be opened. Rev. Msgr. Thomas E. Crane, former pastor of St. Hedwig’s Church in Dunkirk, will represent the Bishop and officially open the Door of Mercy. A special Mass concelebrated by several priests and assisted by deacons will follow. This Mass fulfills the Sunday obligation for Catholics, who can also receive Holy Communion a second time. All from the Chautauqua Vicariate and beyond are welcome to participate in the Door of Mercy opening liturgy, the Mass, individual veneration of first class relics of the Saints of Mercy: Pope St. John Paul II, and St. Faustina Kowalska. A light reception will follow in the adjacent Lyceum Hall.

Other planned major events celebrating the Jubilee of Mercy Year at St. Hyacinth’s are a personal visit of Bp. Malone during the March 4th and 5th special “24 Hours of Mercy” celebration, and a group pilgrimage to the “Saints of Mercy” in Poland: St. Pope John Paul II, St. Faustina Kowalska, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, on May 16-24, 2016 (Call 716-366-7266). The Door of Mercy will be closed on Nov. 1, the Solemnity of all Saints at the last Mass on that day.

The door is located in the vestibule of the church on the left-hand side under the mosaic coat of arms of Pope St. John XXIII, who started the Vatican II Council in 1962. It is clearly visible from Rt. 5 and it will be marked with a permanent plaque and decorated accordingly.

We also welcome Maureen Digan and her husband Deacon Bob Digan, who will be at the opening of the Door of Mercy Mass and will give a witness talk on Monday, Dec. 14th at 7:00 PM at St. Hyacinth’s church. Maureen was miraculously cured through the intercession of St. Faustina Kowalska, and her cure was used for the beatification of St. Faustina.

For those making the pilgrimage to St. Hyacinth’s, some helpful materials for spiritual preparation can be found at http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/content/gdm/en.html.