Archbishop to Mark Start of Year of Mercy by Opening the Cathedral Basilica Holy Door on December 13

On Sunday, December 13 His Holiness, Pope Francis, will open the Holy Door of the Papal Archbasilica of St. John in the Lateran — the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome —  to mark the start of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.  

Here in the Archdiocese of Newark, The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, will join in communion with the Holy Father by opening the Holy Door of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, at the beginning of the 12 p.m. Mass. During the Year of Mercy, all who pass through the Holy Door begin a spiritual journey that signals, as the Holy Father said, “the deep desire for true conversion.”

All are welcome to attend Mass at the Cathedral Basilica on December 13 and begin their celebration of this special Year of Mercy and rediscover the richness encompassed by the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

About the Jubilee Year of Mercy  
On March 13, 2015, Pope Francis declared the Church will celebrate an extraordinary Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy beginning December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and ending November 20, 2016, the Feast of Christ the King.

In his announcement of this special year, Pope Francis said, “I hope the Church will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time.”