Shrewsbury: Churches invited to place 'Holy Year of Mercy' signs above confessionals

The Bishop of Shrewsbury is inviting every parish in the Diocese to display a sign over the confessional to encourage the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Holy Year of Mercy. The signs are among a number of initiatives announced by the Rt Rev Mark Davies to mark the jubilee year, which runs from December 8 until November 20, 2016. The signs have been printed and are being distributed throughout the churches of the Diocese of Shrewsbury in time for the New Year.

The display of the signs follows the opening of a holy door of mercy in St Anthony's Church in Wythenshawe, Manchester, as a pilgrimage destination within the Diocese during the holy year.

The signs above the confessionals would highlight the fact that every church in the Diocese also has its own "door of mercy".

"I am referring to the door which leads to the Sacrament we call Confession, Reconciliation, Forgiveness, Penance and Conversion," wrote Bishop Davies in an editorial for the Christmas edition of the Shrewsbury Catholic Voice. "I have proposed to the clergy of the Diocese that we might specially mark out the confessional since this is the door which opens to such great mercy for each one of us..I want us to cherish this doorway."

Bishop Davies added: "During this Year of Mercy, let us go through this door more frequently. In this way we will grow in holiness and, by God's grace, become 'merciful like our heavenly Father'."

The Bishop also announced plans to establish an outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Pity within the grounds of Shrewsbury Cathedral. "This was an ancient devotion of the people of Shrewsbury and would be a lasting memorial to the Holy Year of Mercy," he said.

Pope Francis underlined the importance of going to Confession during the Year of Mercy at his general audience in Rome this week.

He said that Confession was "an important sign of the Jubilee", adding: "To approach the sacrament with which we are reconciled with God is equivalent to having a direct experience of His mercy."

The Pope said: "It is to meet the Father who forgives - God forgives everything. God understands us also in our limitations, He also understands us in our
contradictions.

"Not only this, with His love He says to us that precisely when we acknowledge our sins He is still closer and spurs us to look ahead. He says more: that when we acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness, there is a celebration in Heaven. Jesus celebrates: this is His mercy: let us not be discouraged."

Pope Francis opened holy doors of mercy at St Peter's Basilica on December 8 and at the Basilica of St John Lateran, his cathedral, on December 13.

Bishop Davies opened the holy door of mercy for the Diocese of Shrewsbury at St Anthony's on December 12.

The door will be moved to Shrewsbury Cathedral at Easter where it will remain for the rest of the holy year.

Pilgrims who pass through the holy doors are able to obtain a plenary indulgence if they also meet other conditions, such as going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion within a few days of making their pilgrimage.