Pilgrims of Mercy

Pope Francis said,. “I will have the joy of opening the Holy Door on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On that day, the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instills hope.”

He went on to say, “I have chosen the date of 8 December because of its rich meaning in the recent history of the Church. In fact, I will open the Holy Door on the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. The Church feels a great need to keep this event alive. With the Council, the Church entered a new phase of her history. The Council Fathers strongly perceived, as a true breath of the Holy Spirit, a need to talk about God to men and women of their time in a more accessible way. The walls which for too long had made the Church a kind of fortress were torn down and the time had come to proclaim the Gospel in a new way. It was a new phase of the same evangelization that had existed from the beginning. It was a fresh undertaking for all Christians to bear witness to their faith with greater enthusiasm and conviction. The Church sensed a responsibility to be a living sign of the Father’s love in the world”

In coordination with the universal Church, Archbishop Lucas designated and opened Doors of Mercy a St. Cecilia Cathedral in December. Archbishop Lucas invited pilgrims to participate in this Year of Mercy in a special way today on Pentecost.

This morning 77 parishioners from St. Columbkille parish participated in a pilgrimage to St. Cecilia Cathedral to be a part of this. A pilgrimage is a journey on foot to a holy place. The practice of pilgrimage dates from the earliest civilizations and is common to many cultures including Judeo-Christian. Abraham and Sarah and their household walked to the place of God’s promise. The Jews left the slavery of Egypt and wandered forty years before entering the promised land. Jesus and his family traveled every year to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. Throughout the centuries Christians have continued the practice of a holy journey. Many brave and hardy pilgrims trekked to the Holy Land at the risk of life and limb. Others traveled the road to Canterbury or followed the Camino to Santiago de Compostela and the “end of the earth.” These trips were not undertaken lightly. A sizable number of pilgrims set out never to return home.

Most modern pilgrimages aren't as dangerous, but true pilgrims still undertake them with great seriousness. This was a simple journey taking only part of a day, but the spiritual gifts it offers cannot be gained without intentionally turning away from sin and towards the Father whose mercy overflows for his children. Passing through the holy door is a truly worthy goal in this Jubilee year. We are invited to know what pilgrims have always known – “The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned,” (Ps 34:22).

Everyone from St. Columbkille received a blessed medal. Besides being a worthy remembrance of Pentecost, for those from St. Columbkille there is the reminder that in Gaelic "Columbkille" means "Dove of the Church." So we remember St. Columbkille, Pentecost, and the Year of Mercy with this reminder.

Reconciliation was available in front

 of the Cathedral during this event.

Pilgrims were sprinkled with Holy Water

 as they approached the doors.

After passing through the Doors of Mercy, we were directed down the main aisle and invited to place grains of incense in the brazier.

 We prayerfully prepared for Mass with Archbishop Lucas. In process we prayed not only for ourselves, but for everyone in our St. Columbkille family.

Incense is often used in Mass, partially as a reminder that just as incense rises, so too do our prayers rise to heaven.

In his homily, Archbishop Lucas reminded us that the disciples had gathered in the upper room "frightened and confused. There they did what most of us do when we're frighten and confused -- which is nothing, though they did pray." Then filled with the Holy Spirit they enthusiastically went into the world."

Archbishop Lucas also reminded us that "The Holy Spirit dwells in you. and the reason the Holy Spirit dwells in you is because He hopes to work through you."