Mercy Where You Least Expected It: A Jubilee Year

Last updated on: December 27, 2014 at 3:23 pm by Jennifer Fitz

Mercy Where You Least Expected It: A Jubilee Year 2014-12-27T15:23:33-05:00 Jennifer Fitz

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Turns out the Holy Father has announced a Jubilee Year.

[Quick update: Fr. Capo writes, “@TheAnchoress @Jennifer_Fitz The Jubilee Year is to be celebrated just in Isernia, Italy, where Pope Celestine was born 800 yrs ago.” Thanks for the clarification, Father!]

I was scratching my head, vaguely remembering JPII had done such a thing back in the early years of my reversion (2000, as it happens), and sure enough, even Wikipedia wasn’t expecting another such until 2025. I’m unclear, given the utter lack of fanfare around this, whether this is a big-time capital-J Jubilee, or some small-g use of the word in Italian that means something quieter?

Soon, very soon, I’m sure someone smarter than myself will clarify.

Meanwhile, a few thoughts:

1. Excuse me but why does everyone get so, so excited about popes who think longingly after St. Celestine? You would too, I feel certain. I’m sympathetic to those who have deep feelings about Pope Benedict’s retirement, but let us have a little mercy on these men who bear extraordinary burdens.

2. I like short, readable speeches. An excerpt from the very short announcement:

And it always strikes me that with their strong compassion for the people, these Saints felt the need to give the people the greatest thing: the Father’s mercy, forgiveness. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In these words of the OurFather is a whole plan of life, based on mercy.

You can read the whole thing here. Trigger warning: There are references to economics. Show a little mercy and kindly refrain from using my combox to tell me I’m a communist because people ought to pay decent wages and give alms to the poor. Thanks.

3. One of the pillars of mercy is the Sacrament of Confession. You can read here about why the Louisiana case is a very serious violation of religious freedom. And you can read here some reasons why the Bless-you banking case just doesn’t seem to be.

4. One of the big exciting things about a Jubilee Year is the plenary indulgences. Sounds like getting an extra scoop of ice cream at the penitentiary, but actually it’s better than that. You can read about indulgences at Catholic Answers, including some tips on how to avail yourself of them any year at all.

5. Topic change: A quick glance at the USCCB website shows silence on the Jubilee question, but look, NFP Awareness Week is coming up.

I’m aware. Very aware. Join the revolution.

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