“In our parishes, communities, associations and movements, in a word, wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy.”
— Pope Francis, Misericordae Vultus 12
MUNHALL, PA — Officially opening the Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Archbishop William led a procession of clergy and faithful to the Holy Door on the afternoon of Sunday, December 13. After singing the Polyeleos, the faithful chanted “Open to me the doors of repentance, O Giver of Life . . .” and “Open unto us the doors of mercy, O blessed Theotokos . . .” then recited the Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee.
At the solemn opening of the Holy Door, Metropolitan William proclaimed the indiction of the Jubilee Year of Mercy (see the Dec. 20 BCW pg. 3, or view online at www. archpitt.org), following which he broke the seal on the Holy Door, signing it with his staff in the form of a cross while chanting “Holy God, Holy and Mighty . . .” Clergy and faithful followed the Archbishop through the Holy Door as they sang the Thrice-Holy Hymn.
