By Fr. Conrad Targonski

Pope Francis has called for a Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy beginning Dec. 8, 2015 and ending Nov. 20, 2016. A year of Jubilee goes back to the Jewish Scriptures when these were celebrated every 50 years—slaves were set free and returned to their families, the land was not cultivated, any property disputes were settled, and the land returned to the original owner and all debts were forgiven.

Since this is a “Jubilee,” we are called to be “missionaries of mercy” concentrating on 12 physical and spiritual works of mercy.

Viterbo’s core values, commitment to servant leadership, mission, and Franciscan ethos yield a brilliant contribution to a world celebration of mercy. 2016 also marks the 800th anniversary of Francis of Assisi’s request for an “Indulgence of Mercy” at the church of St Mary of the Angels (Portiuncula) in Assisi. An indulgence is a celebration of God’s mercy in which the Church utilizes the treasury of authority that the Lord Jesus conferred upon the Apostles to “bind and loose” (Mt 18:18). What a tremendous year it is!

Our focus for January will be on the first work of mercy: “Feeding the Hungry.” Opportunities to exercise this work of compassion include the Warming Center, Place of Grace Catholic Worker House, the Salvation Army, and local food pantries.

Prayer for the month of January: “Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of God’s love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation, and make justice and peace flourish.” – Pope Francis