KK Archdiocese to close Year of Mercy

KOTA KINABALU – In union with the Diocese of Rome, the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese will formally close the Extraordinary Jubilee  of  Mercy on Sunday, 20 Nov 2016, at 5 PM, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here.

All the faithful are warmly invited to witness the event.  Archbishop John Wong will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

A video clip capturing the highlights of the Year of Mercy in the archdiocese will be screened at the end of Mass.

On 13 March 2015, Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.  Traditionally, every 25 years the pope proclaims a holy year, which features special celebrations and pilgrimages, strong calls for conversion and repentance, and the offer of special opportunities to experience God’s grace through the sacraments, especially confession.

Extraordinary holy years, like this Holy Year of Mercy, are less frequent, but offer the same opportunities for spiritual growth.  The last extraordinary holy year was in 1983.  Pope John Paul II (now St John Paul II) declared 1983 to be a holy year in commemoration of the 1950th anniversary of the Year of Redemption.

This Jubilee Year of Mercy began on 8 Dec 2015, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and will conclude on 20 Nov 2016, the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Throughout the year, the archdiocese has witnessed the outpouring of graces upon the church. Thousands went on pilgrimages to the four Holy Doors in the archdiocese as well as to the Holy Doors in Keningau and Sandakan Dioceses.  Some went to Rome.

Among the activities  held during the year were the “24 Hours for the Lord” on  March 04-05, Sabah Youth Day in Tawau June 06-10, Jubilee for Youth Sept 15-17, Jubilee for Catechists Sept 24, and the 3rd Sabah Women’s Conference in Sandakan Sept 19-23.

A special gift to the archdiocese was the priestly ordination of Deacon Joshua Liew on May 03, following the Archdiocesan Kaamatan Celebration May 02.