Anyone who has been following Pope Francis over the past several months knows that in December he declared a Jubilee Year, a Holy Year of Mercy.

In Christianity the tradition dates to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII convoked a Holy Year, following which ordinary jubilees have generally been celebrated every 25 or 50 years; with extraordinary jubilees in addition depending on need. Christian jubilees particularly in the Catholic Tradition, generally involve a pilgrimage to a sacred site, usually the city of Rome.

It is the Holy Father’s desire that “during this Jubilee year, the Christian people may reflect on the corporal (bodily) and spiritual works of mercy” and that the faithful in a special way will be “dedicated to living out in our daily lives the mercy which the Father constantly extends to all of us.”

It seems to me that this Lenten Season is an ideal time to spend some reflection on the boundless MERCY of God. Everyone of us has experienced it and will continue to have that need as long as we live. God asks us to show that same mercy to one another. Lent is the time to turn back to God and to overtly seek that mercy.

Some neighboring parishes, specifically the collaborative of St. Elizabeth in Acton and St. Isadore in Stow are sponsoring a twenty-four hours for the Lord, March 4th at 6pm to March 5th at 6pm. Numerous activities will be offered for all ages, interests and spiritual needs. More details are available at www.Seoh.org