National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Declared Place of Pilgrimage during the Year of Mercy

Pope Francis has announced an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy to be celebrated from December 8th, 2015—the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of Vatican II— to the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 20, 2016.

During this special period of time in the Church, Pope Francis calls all Catholics to be witnesses to God’s mercy.  Pope Francis has called on Catholics around the world to use the ongoing Jubilee year of mercy to “open wide” the doors of their hearts to forgive others and to work against social exclusion, even of those that may have caused them bother or upset.

Pope Francis said that walking through any of the holy doors open in dioceses around the world for the Jubilee year should be a sign of “true conversion of our heart.”  He said: “When we go through that door, it is good to remember that we must also open wide the doors of our heart. 

During this yearlong year of Mercy Pope Francis challenges all to put mercy before judgment.

Pope Francis said: "How much wrong we do to God and his grace when we affirm that sins are punished by his judgment before putting first that they are forgiven by his mercy. 

While most Jubilees have been focused on calling pilgrims to Rome to receive an indulgence, Francis has widely expanded his Jubilee, asking that dioceses throughout the world open their own holy door at a cathedral or other church to expand the practice globally.

A holy door is a door normally designated in special churches -- like the four papal basilicas in Rome -- to be opened only during Jubilee years as a sign of the possibility of re-entering into God’s grace.

    In the Archdiocese of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan announced that the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY is a one of five holy sites and places of pilgrimage where a Holy Door, a Door of Mercy, is opened to pilgrims who would like to receive a Jubilee Indulgence. 

Parish groups and individuals are invited to come and enter the Door of Mercy at the National Shrine. 

If you are interested in planning a day of pilgrimage to the Shrine please call 845-343-1879845-343-1879 or email Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

OLMC National Shrine
70 Carmelite Dr.
PO Box 2163
Middletown, NY 10940
http://www.ourladyofmtcarmelshrine.com