Udupi: God is merciful, kind and compassionate. Pope Francis called a Jubilee year of Mercy from 8th December 2015 to 20th November, 2016, a year that the fate of the World is in the mercy of God. The mercy of God is not an abstract idea but a concrete reality, said Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese.

In his homily, during the Eucharistic celebrations at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur on Sunday, 13th November, 2016 on the occasion of Holy Door Close in the Udupi Diocese Cathedral on Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. As the year comes to a close, the Holy Doors of the Cathedral and basilicas around the world are also closing on Sunday, 13th of November.

Bishop said if we see how the whole history of salvation until today into the future has been a economy of mercy. Precisely in this perspective we want to place the commitment resulting from these months in which we have lived with faith the extraordinary jubilee of Mercy. The Holy Year has urged us to keep our eyes fixed toward the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. Bishop said the year of mercy an invitation to love, kindness and unbounded generosity. The mercy of God has Incredible. God never fails to show his mercy in our life. Holy Church’s foundation is Mercy of God. Jesus encountering the Mercy of God transformed the life of Jakarius and relationship with God by converting into Merciful God. Church needs this extraordinary moment.

The Year of Mercy officially ends on 20th November, the Solemnity of Christ the King when was opened 8th December 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

During the Holy Eucharistic celebrations along with Bishop, Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo Rector of the Cathedral, Rev Fr. Rolwin Aranha and Rev Fr. Prakash Anil Castelino Asst. parish priests, Rev Fr. Victor Fernandes Principal of Milagres English Schools and Rev Fr. Herald Mathias Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers Kallianpur celebrated the Holy Eucharist.

Earlier, the 15 ward gurkars along with large number of faithful returned the Statues of Our Lady of Miracles to Rector Fr. Stany B Lobo in the Cathedral. The decorated Statues of Milagres brought with processions led by brass band and two white dressed little angels’ kids. The blessed Statues of Our Lady of Miracles stayed every houses of the 15 wards on the occasion the celebrations of Platinum Jubilee of the Cathedral which was to be celebrated on 12th December, 2016.

After the weekly announcements, Bishop distributed the blessed Statues of Our Lady of Miracles to the faithful.