Jubilee for Priests 2016
On Thursday 2nd June 2016, Pope Francis joined with thousands of priests and seminarians from across the world in a retreat day as part of the Year of Mercy which he inaugurated on 8th December 2015. This day – part of a Jubilee for Priests running from the 1st June and ending on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart on Friday 3rd June, – took the form of three meditations or reflections over the course of the day, each one preached in one of the major Roman basilicas (St John Latern, St Mary Major and St Paul-outside-the-walls respectively) where priests and seminarians had gathered, but were simultaneously beamed to those gathered in the other basilicas.
In them, he offers some beautiful and profound reflections on priesthood and on the meaning of mercy in the priestly life and ministry. Here, you can access the full texts which are published on the Vatican website.
FIRST MEDITATION
Basilica of Saint John Lateran – Thursday, 2 June 2016
“Good morning dear priests,
Let us begin this day of spiritual retreat. I think it will benefit us to pray for one another, in communion. A retreat, but all of us in communion! I have chosen the theme of mercy. First, a short introduction for the entire retreat…” more…
SECOND MEDITATION
Basilica of Saint Mary Major – Thursday, 2 June 2016
“After meditating on the ’embarrassed dignity’ and ‘dignified embarrassment’ that are the fruits of mercy, let us continue by considering the ‘vessel of mercy’. This is not something complicated. Let me simply say that the vessel of mercy is our sin. It is that simple. Our sin is usually like a sieve, or a leaky bucket, from which grace quickly drains…” more…
THIRD MEDITATION
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls – Thursday, 2 June 2016
“Let us hope that the Lord will grant us what we sought in prayer: to imitate Jesus’ example of patience, and with that patience to overcome all our difficulties. This, our third meditation, is entitled: ‘The good odour of Christ and the light of his mercy’.
In this third meeting, I propose that we meditate on the works of mercy, by taking whichever one we feel is most closely linked to our charism, and by looking at them as a whole….” more…
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