Bishop Richard Lennon invites everyone throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland to participate in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in a special way this summer by joining a pilgrimage to the two Holy Doors in the diocese and by engaging in works of mercy throughout the community. Pilgrimage Passports were mailed to each household in the diocese and extra copies are available at parishes.
?The faithful can use these passports to track their pilgrimage to the two Holy Doors in our diocese: at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and at Our Lady of Lourdes National Shrine. The faithful also are invited to participate in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and to reflect on their time doing so by journaling in their passports,? the bishop said.
You can track your pilgrimage by getting a stamp at either Holy Door location. Those who engage in works of mercy at Catholic Charities sites can receive ?Worker of Mercy? special stickers for their passports. Parishes and other diocesan institutions also will have the stickers for those who engage in works of mercy at home or at other locations.
An added dimension of the pilgrimage is the opportunity to reflect or share the experience through social media by using the hashtag #YearofMercyCle on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Pilgrimages should be completed before closing ceremonies for the Holy Doors. The door at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Road, Euclid, will close on Oct. 30. The cathedral Holy Door will close on Nov. 13.
Those crossing the threshold of a Holy Door as a sign of their deep desire for conversion can receive a special indulgence by going to confession; attending Mass and receiving Communion with a reflection on mercy; making a profession of faith and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father.
Special commemorative pins and stamps are offered free at the cathedral and the shrine for those participating in the pilgrimage. The pins will be available weekdays in the crypt at the cathedral or from docents after Masses on weekends. At the shrine, visit the gift shop to receive a pin or get your passport stamped.
Groups can schedule a tour of the cathedral, the mother church of the diocese, by calling the rectory office, 216-771-6666. Self-guided tours are available anytime the cathedral is open, generally 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sundays, or take a virtual tour on the cathedral website, SaintJohnCathedral.com.
Shrine gift shop hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and Saturdays; 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. Visit srstrinity.com or call 216-481-8232 or 216-481-0900 for more information on the shrine.
?I invite you all to participate in this joyous opportunity for spiritual reflection and community action on God?s mercy. Let us truly heed Pope Francis? words: ?Mercy overcomes every wall, every barrier and leads you to always seek the face of the person. It is mercy which changes the heart and the life!?,? Bishop Lennon said.
