Recollection-formation on the extraordinary jubilee of mercy

More than three hundred twenty lay leaders from various GKKs and parish center organizations of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal gathered at the Central Park multi-purpose gym last 31 January 2016 as they listened to the recollection-formation on the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. The guest speaker was sir Lunar Fayloga, MAT, a Theology professor from the Ateneo de Davao University.

Sir Fayloga led the lay leaders to ‘a journey that starts with a spiritual conversion’ through Pope Francis’ declaration of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy that was launched last 8 December 2015 in the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and will culminate on 20 November 2016 in the Solemnity of Christ the King.

“The official announcement took place on Divine Mercy Sunday,” said Sir Fayloga, “with a public proclamation in front of the Holy Door of the St. Peter’s Basilica.”

“The rite of the opening of the Holy Door is intended,” continued Sir Faloga, “to symbolically illustrate the ‘extraordinary path’ toward salvation during the time of Jubilee.”

Sir Fayloga explained to the lay leaders the logo of the Jubilee of Mercy with the motto: ‘Merciful like the Father,’ taken from Luke 6:36. He also explained the five focus areas of this Jubilee of Mercy: 1) Lectio Divina; 2) Holy Doors and Pilgrimage; 3) Restorative Justice; 4) Corporate Works of Mercy; and 5) Spiritual Works of Mercy. “This Papal Bull of Indiction, entitled ‘Misericordiae Vultus’ (or ‘Face of Mercy’) opens with the declaration: Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy,” clarified Sir Faloga; and he further synthesized his presentation with some points for reflections. (Vonz M. Hijada)