Diocese of Lansing
YEAR OF MERCY
Dec 8, 2015-Nov 20, 2016
What is Mercy?
Lesson Plan for Grade Levels: K-2
Topic: What is Mercy as defined by the Catholic Church?
Name 1-3 related Standard from the DOL Religion curriculum:
1. II. Revelation. C. Understanding of God’s Self-Revelation. C4. Retells major events and
themes of the New Testament: Miracles and Parables.
2. VII. Christian Life/Morality. A. Christian Response. A15. Applies works of mercy to daily living.
3. VII. Christian Life/Morality. C. Concepts of Self-Worth. C4. Recognizes forgiveness of others
and asking forgiveness as Christian values.
Overarching Concepts:
God shows mercy by saving us from our sins.
We are made in God’s likeness and must show mercy to others.
Essential Questions:
 What is mercy?
 What is divine mercy? How does God show mercy?
 What is human mercy? How can we show mercy?
Content:
The teacher will:
 Pose the following question to students: what is mercy? (If students are having difficulty
suggest: forgiving someone, showing kindness to others without expecting anything in return,
God forgiving us for our sins, etc.)
 Record what students already know or think they know about mercy.
o Tell students we are going learn more about what mercy is and explain there are two types
of mercy: divine mercy and human mercy.
Divine Mercy
 Explain that divine mercy is God’s love and mercy. This means:
o God created us out of love.
 Invite students to explain their understanding.
o God forgave us of our sins out of mercy.
Invite students to explain their understanding.
o God is both merciful and just in the Old Testament and New Testament.
 Invite students to explain what it mean to be merciful and just.
 Provide the following examples and invite students to explain how God is
merciful in each example.
 Old Testament: Jonah and the Whale
o Read the story of Jonah from a children’s bible or a children’s
picture book that tells the biblical story of Jonah.
o Invite students to briefly retell the story of Jonah.
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New Testament: The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus
o Read the following:
o (46) They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large
crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind
beggar, was sitting by the roadside. (47) When he heard that it was
Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of
David, have mercy on me!” (48) Many sternly ordered him to be
quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy
on me!” (49) Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they
called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is
calling you.” (50) So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came
to Jesus. (51) Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do
for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher let me see again.”
(52) Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.”
Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
 Ask students to explain what this means.
 Explain to students how to complete the sequencing retelling worksheet of Jonah
and the Whale and the Healing of Blind Bartimaeus.
Explain that God is merciful and just to each person.
o Ask students to share their understanding.
Explain that God the Father showed us divine mercy in sending us his only Son to save us
from our sins.
 1 Peter 1:3-4 (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his
great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) and into an inheritance that is
imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
 Invite students to explain their understanding of the scripture.
Explain that God the Son showed us divine mercy in coming to live, suffer, die, and rise. Jesus
did this to:
o Save us from our sins.
o Reconcile us to the Father.
o Make us partakers of the divine nature by giving us salvation from sin.
o Be a model of holiness for us.
Read the Good Samaritan parable (Luke 10:25-37).
o Luke 10:25-37: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
 (25) Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to
inherit eternal life?” (26) He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you
read there?” (27) He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and
your neighbor as yourself.” (28) And he said to him, “You have given the right
answer; do this, and you will live.”
 Invite students to explain what Jesus means when tells us “love your neighbor
as yourself”.
 (29) But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (30)
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the
hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half
dead. (31) Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him,
he passed by on the other side. (32) So likewise a Levite, when he came to the
place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (33) But a Samaritan while
traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. (34) He
went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then
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he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (35) The
next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of
him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ (36) Which
of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the
robbers?” (37) He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go
and do likewise.”
 Ask students to answer the following:
 What happened to the man walking from Jerusalem to Jericho?
 What happened when the priest walked by?
 What happened when the Levite walked by?
 What happened when the Samaritan walked by?
 How did the Samaritan show the man mercy?
 Which of the three men was a neighbor to the man who beaten and
robbed?
o Explain to students how to complete the retelling the parable of the Good Samaritan
handout. Students should include: 1. what happened to the man walking from
Jerusalem to Jericho, 2. what happened when the priest walked by, 3. what happened
when the Levite walked by, 4. how the Samaritan showed mercy to man, and 5. what
was Jesus’ message in the parable.
Explain that God the Holy Sprit shows mercy in coming to live in our souls through Baptism.
o Ask students to explain original sin.
o Ask students to explain how God is being merciful through Baptism.
Human Mercy
 Explain that:
o We must show human mercy because we are made in the image and likeness of God.
o When we show mercy we are serving Jesus himself (Mt 25:35-36)
 (35)…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (36) I was naked
and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison
and you visited me).
 Explain that human mercy is a virtue. Ask students to explain what a virtue is.
o DOL Religion Curriculum Terminology defines virtue as “habits that help a person do
what is morally good.”
 Explain that human mercy is related to the theological virtue of charity (love) and to the
cardinal virtue of justice.
o Charity “enables one to love God above all and to love our neighbor as ourselves”.
(Disciples in Christ Virtues.)
 Ask the students to share ways they can love thy neighbor. Record student
answers on chart paper.
o Justice (fairness) “enables one to give to each beginning with God, what is due him”.
(Disciples in Christ Virtues.)
 Ask the students to share ways we can be just with others. Record student
answers on chart paper. If students are struggling share with them examples of
what the virtue looks and sounds like.
 Ask students to explain why we need to give mercy.
o Share with students that we are made in God’s image and we must follow God’s
example to give unlimited love and forgiveness to others.
 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be
condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be
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poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Lk 6:37-38).
Ask students the need to receive mercy.
o Ask students to explain why we need forgiveness from others.
o Ask students to explain why we need love from others, especially when we are sick or
have needs that are not being met (clothing, food, shelter, etc.).
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Skills:
 The students will be able to:
o Retell the story of Jonah.
o Retell the story of the Healing of Blind Bartimaeus.
o Retell the parable of the Good Samaritan.
o Explain Jesus’ message from the parable of the Good Samaritan.
o Give examples of how they can love others.
o Identify ways God shows mercy to us.
o Identify different ways we can show mercy to others.
Assessments:
Students will retell the parable of the Good Samaritan by creating illustrations and/or writing
sentences on the Good Samaritan Sequencing handout.
Students will create an illustration and/or write about a time they showed mercy to others.
Students will create an illustrations and/or write about a time they have been forgiven.
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014.
Diocese of Lansing Religion Content Curriculum. August 2000.
Disciple of Christ. Education in Virtue. 2013.
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
Name:_______________
Luke 10:25-37: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Draw a picture or write a sentence in each box to retell the
parable of the Good Samaritan. Show Jesus’ message in the last
box.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lesson Plan for Grade Levels: K-2
Topic: Sacraments of Mercy
Name 1-3 related Standard from the DOL Religion curriculum:
V. Sacraments. A17. Defines Eucharist as: meal, sharing, celebration, Jesus’ gift of himself.
V. Sacraments. A25. Defines Penance as the sinner’s reconciliation with a loving Father and with the
Church community.
V. Sacraments. A26. Describes Anointing of the Sick as Jesus’ continuing care for the sick and dying.
Overarching Concepts:
God is merciful throughout the Sacraments.
Essential Questions:
How is God merciful in providing us the Sacraments?
How is the Eucharist a sacrament of mercy?
How is Confession a sacrament of mercy?
How is Anointing the Sick a sacrament of mercy?
Content:
The teacher will:
 Introduce the students to the sacraments of mercy.
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Baptism as a sacrament of mercy
o Share with students the following definition on baptism.
 Baptism is the “sacrament by which, through the water and the Trinitarian formula,
those who believe in Jesus become members of His Body, the Church, are freed
from sin, receive new life through the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of
eternal life”. (DOL Religion Curriculum Terminology p.21)
 Ask students to explain what this means.
o Explain God shows mercy by washing away original sin and ask students to explain their
understanding of original sin. If students do not have any background knowledge on
original sin share with them the following definition:
 Original sin is the “condition or state into which every human being is born; every
person is born into a world affected by sinfulness and every person has an
inclination to personal sin; original sin is the result of the choice of the first humans
to seek their own desires rather than the will of God. (DOL Religion Curriculum
Terminology p.29)
 Ask students to explain this means.
o Explain that God shows mercy through forgiving personal sin.
 Ask students to explain what personal sin is.
 Personal sin is “freely choosing to do what one knows is wrong”. (DOL
Religion Curriculum Terminology p.30)
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in forgiving personal sin.
o Share with students that God shows mercy by making us sons and daughters of the Father.
 Read the following to students:
 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit
(4) and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we
are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are
incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the
sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."(5) (CCC 1213)
 Ask students to explain what their understanding of baptism.
o Explain that God shows mercy by making us temples of the Holy Spirit.
 Ask students to explain what it means to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in making us a temple of the Holy Spirit.
o Share with students that God shows mercy by making us members of the mystical body of
Jesus.
 Ask students if they can explain what the mystical body of Jesus is.
 Read the following to students:
 The Diocese of Lansing Religion Curriculum Guidelines Terminology defines
the mystical body of Christ as “the Church forms a single body, united with
Christ as the head, with members who retain their diversity; it is mystical
because this body can only be seen with the eyes of faith.”
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in making us members of the mystical
bodies of Jesus.
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Confirmation as a sacrament of mercy
o Share with students the following definition:
 Confirmation is “the sacrament of initiation which seals Baptism, and Catholics are
strengthened through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, helping them to become
active, caring followers of Jesus.” (DOL Religion Curriculum Terminology p.23)
o Explain that God shows mercy by rooting us more deeply in our relationship with the
Father.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in bring us closer in our relationship with
the Father through Confirmation.
o Explain that God shows mercy by uniting us more firmly to Jesus.
 Ask students to explain how God shows mercy by uniting us closer to Jesus.
o Share that God shows mercy in increasing in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in increasing the gifts of the Holy Spirit
within us through Confirmation.
o Share that God shows mercy by rendering our bond with the Church more perfect.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in making our bond with the Church
more perfect through Confirmation.
o Explain that God shows mercy by strengthening us to spread and defend the faith by word
and action.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in strengthening us to spread and
defend the faith.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in allowing us to serve the spiritual
needs of others.
 Ask students to explain how humans show mercy in spreading and defending the
faith to others.
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Eucharist as a sacrament of mercy
o Share with students the following definition:
 Eucharist is “a Greek word meaning thanksgiving; the entire action of celebrating the
Mass is most commonly called the Eucharist; the consecrated elements of bread
and wine are called the Eucharist.” (DOL Religion Curriculum Terminology p. 24)
 Ask students to explain their understanding.
o Share with students that Jesus’ showed mercy in giving himself to us, body, blood soul and
divinity in a communion of love.
 Ask students to explain how Jesus’ was merciful in giving himself to us.
o Explain that God’s mercy allows us to participate in the once and for all sacrifice of Christ
and be present at the celebration of the Mass.
 Share with students the following: “What material food produces in our bodily life,
Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life.” (CCC 1392).
 Ask them to explain their understanding.
o Share with students that God shows mercy in forgiving venial sin in the Eucharist.
 Explain to students what venial sin is. Venial sin as “a lesser sin or offense against
God and others which weakens our relationship with God and others.” (DOL
Terminology p. 34)
 “The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of
Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren: “You
have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother,…You
dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone
judged worthy to take part in this meal. . . . God freed you from all your sins and
invited you here, but you have not become more merciful (236).” (CCC 1397)
 Ask students to explain what it means by “the Eucharist commits us to the
poor”.
 Ask students to share ways we can be more merciful toward the poor.
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Reconciliation as a sacrament of mercy
o Share with students the following definition:
 Reconciliation is “the act or state of healing a wounded or broken relationship
between God and a human being, or between two people.” (DOL Religion
Curriculum Terminology p. 31)
o Share with students how God shows mercy in forgiving repented and confessed mortal sins
committed after Baptism.
 Ask students to share what it means to repent or confess.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in forgiving the sins we commit.
o Explain to students that God shows mercy in reconciling us to Himself to restoring us to his
grace and reconciling us to the Church.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful is healing our relationship with Himself
and the Church.
o Share with students how God shows mercy in allowing us to be placed before his merciful
judgment before death.
 Ask students to share how God is merciful in allowing us to confess our sins and be
placed before his merciful judgement before death.
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Anointing of the Sick as a sacrament of mercy
o Share with students the following definition:
 Anointing of the Sick is the “sacrament through which Christ offers the healing,
strengthening powers of the Holy Spirit to those who are sick and suffering, and His
consolation to those who are dying.” (DOL Religion Curriculum Terminology p. 21)
o Read to students the following: The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the
Sick has as its effects:
 the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ,
 for his own good and that of the whole Church;
 the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the
sufferings of illness or old age;
 the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the
sacrament of Penance;
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o
o
o
o
the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation
for passing over to eternal life.” (CCC 1532)
Explain to students that God shows mercy in allowing us to share in and unite our
sufferings to the salvation we received through Christ’s sufferings.
 Read the story of St. Faustina to students using any grade-appropriate text.
 Ask students to explain how St. Faustina was like Jesus in her suffering.
 Ask students to explain what we can learn from St. Faustina.
Share with students how God shows mercy in giving us a special grace in this sacrament
for strengthening, peace, and courage.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in providing us with a special grace in
this sacrament for strengthening, peace, and courage.
Explain to students that God shows mercy in allowing us to contribute to the sanctification
of the Church.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful by uniting us to the Church though
The teacher will share with students how God shows mercy in being with us at the moment
of death.
 Ask students to explain how God is merciful in being with us at our moment of death.
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Holy Orders as a sacrament of mercy
o Share with students the following definition:
 Holy orders is “a sacrament by which men are ordained for special ministry in the
Church as deacons, priests, and bishops.” (DOL Religion Terminology p.26)
o Explain to students how God shows mercy in giving us a special sacrament that allows
some men to act in persona Christi capitas (Bishops and Priests) and in persona Christi
servi (Deacons).
o Explain to students how God shows mercy in giving us men he has chosen to administer
the divine gifts of Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick (all of the
sacraments only a Bishop or priest can administer).
o Explain to students how God shows mercy in giving us Bishops to teach, govern, and help
to make holy the people of God.
o Ask students to share their understanding of God shows us mercy by providing us with the
holy order.
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Matrimony as a sacrament of mercy
o The Diocese of Lansing Religion Curriculum Guidelines Terminology defines matrimony as
“the Sacrament of Marriage which joins a Christian man and woman in a life-long, lifegiving, and love-giving union, reflecting Christ’s own union with His Church.” (p.28)
o Share with students how God shows mercy in providing us with an earthly icon (the family)
of the Trinity and Trinitarian love.
 Ask students to share their understanding of how the Trinity is similar to our earthly
families.
o Explain that God shows mercy by giving us an earthly icon of Christ the Bridegroom and his
Bride, the Church.
 Ask students to share their understanding of how Christ is the Bridegroom, and his
Bride, the Church.
o Explain to students that God shows the Father’s mercy in giving his Son Jesus as the
source of grace to the married couple.
o Share with students how God shows mercy in creating an unbreakable bond between
husband and wife.
Skills:
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The students will be able to:
o Discuss how God shows mercy throughout the sacraments.
o Discuss how Jesus shows mercy throughout the sacraments.
o Share ways we can show mercy toward others.
o Explain how St. Faustina was like Jesus in her suffering.
o Define Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing the sick.
Assessments:
Students will match the name of the sacraments, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing the Sick, to
the definition.
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014.
Diocese of Lansing Religion Content Curriculum. August 2000.
Disciple of Christ. Education in Virtue. 2013.
Divine Mercy Chaplet for Kids. Eternal World Television. Copyright
2015.:http://www.ewtn.com/tv/kids/thedivinemercychapletforkids.asp
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
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Name:___________________
Match the sacrament with the correct definition.
 the act or state of
Eucharist
healing a wounded or
broken relationship
between God and a
human being, or
between two people
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Reconciliation
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the healing,
strengthening powers of
the Holy Spirit to the
sick and suffering.
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Anointing the Sick
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the celebration of the
Mass; the blessed bread
and wine
Lesson Plan for Grade Levels: K-2
Topic: Works of Mercy
Name 1-3 related Standard from the DOL Religion curriculum:
VII. Christian Life/Morality. A. Christian Response. A15. Applies works of mercy to daily living.
Overarching Concepts:
The spiritual works of mercy are actions we can take to serve the spiritual needs of others.
The corporal works of mercy are actions we can take to serve the physical needs of others.
Essential Questions:
What are the spiritual works of mercy?
What are the corporal works of mercy?
How can we apply the works of mercy in our daily lives?
Content:
 The teacher will:
o Introduce students to the works of mercy.
 Share the following with students:
 “The works of mercy are charitable action by which we come to the aid of our
neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.” (CCC 2447)
o Tells students there are spiritual works of mercy and corporal works of mercy. Spiritual
works of mercy are actions we can take to serve the spiritual needs of others. Corporal
works of mercy are actions we can take to serve the physical needs of others.
o Introduce the Spiritual Works: Discuss with students ways we can serve the spiritual needs
of others. Ask them to give examples of how we can:
 Counsel the doubtful.
 Instruct the ignorant
 Explain that evangelization and catechesis are works of mercy, because we
are teaching others about Jesus and God.
 Admonish the sinner.
 Comfort the sorrowful.
 Forgive all injuries.
 Bear wrongs patiently.
 Pray for the living and the dead.
o Ask students to explain why we should apply the spiritual works of mercy in our daily lives.
 Remind students we are made in God’s image and should be merciful as he is.
o Introduce the corporal works of mercy. : Discuss with students ways we can serve the
corporal needs of others. Ask them to give examples of how we can:
 Counsel the doubtful.
 Feed the hungry.
 Give drink to the thirsty.
 Clothe the naked.
 Shelter the homeless.
 Visit the sick.
 Visit the imprisoned.
 Bury the dead.
Skills:
 The students will be able to:
o Explain what a spiritual work of mercy is.
o Share ways that we can serve the spiritual needs of others.
o Explain what a corporal work of mercy is.
o Share ways that we can serve physical needs of others.
Assessments:
Students will write about and illustrate a way that they can serve the spiritual needs of others (spiritual
works of mercy).
Students will write about and illustrate a way that they can serve the physical needs of others
(corporal works of mercy).
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014.
Diocese of Lansing Religion Content Curriculum. August 2000
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
Pilgrimage (indulgences, holy door, jubilee)
Name 1-3 related Standard from the DOL Religion curriculum:
I. History of Salvation. C. Response to God’s Call. C4. Discovers the Christian concern for the
salvation of others.
I. History of Salvation. D. Obstacles to Grace/Salvation. D12. Recognizes the need for reconciliation
with God and others.
Overarching Concepts:
A jubilee is a holy year filled with celebrations, repentance, pilgrimages, and God’s grace and mercy.
Essential Questions:
What is a jubilee year? How does God show us mercy during a jubilee year?
What is a pilgrimage?
What is the Holy Door?
What is indulgence? How can we receive it? How can we obtain indulgence for others?
Content:
The teacher will:
 Explain to students what a Jubilee is.
o “Jubilee years occur about every 25 years—the last occurred in 2000. These holy years are
filled with special celebrations and pilgrimages, strong calls for conversion and repentance,
and the opportunity to experience God’s grace through the sacraments, especially
confession.” (Catholic Relief Services)
o Ask students to share their understanding.
 Share with students the Old Testament background of the Jubilee.
o Read to students the following scripture: Leviticus 25: 1, 8 – 17
o (1) The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, (8) "And you shall count seven weeks of
years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall be to
you forty-nine years. (9) Then you shall send abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of
the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall send abroad the trumpet throughout
all your land. (10) And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the
land to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his
property and each of you shall return to his family. (11) A jubilee shall that fiftieth year be to
you; in it you shall neither sow, nor reap what grows of itself, nor gather the grapes from the
undressed vines. (12) For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat what it yields
out of the field. (13) "In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property. (14) And
if you sell to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another.
(15)According to the number of years after the jubilee, you shall buy from your neighbor,
and according to the number of years for crops he shall sell to you. (16)If the years are
many you shall increase the price, and if the years are few you shall diminish the price, for
it is the number of the crops that he is selling to you. (17) You shall not wrong one another,
but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God.
o Summarize the following to students:
 The Jubilee Year freed the Israelite slaves and restored equality. It also meant
raising up the less fortunate, so God declared the goods of the earth are for all.
 Ask students to explain their understanding.
o Read to students the following from scripture. Jesus (Lk 4:16-19)
 (16) When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the
synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, (17) and
the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the
place where it was written: (18) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
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anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to
the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, (19) to
proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
 Ask students to explain how Jesus called a year of Jubilee.
 Ask students to share what Jesus proclaimed he was sent to do.
o Provide the students with a brief history of jubilee years in the Church:
 Explain that ordinary jubilee years typically occur every 50 years.
 Explain that there are extraordinary jubilee years that the Pope can declare of
special importance.
o Share with students that the last ordinary jubilee year was in 2000.
 Ask students to explain that what makes this year an “extraordinary” jubilee year.
 If students are not sure, explain that this jubilee is occurring only 15 years after our
last ordinary jubilee. Also share with students that Pope Francis declared it a year of
special importance for mercy. 00
Ask students to explain what a pilgrimage is and why one would go one a pilgrimage.
o Share with students that a pilgrimage is a “journey to a place of devotion”. (DOL Curriculum
Terminology, p. 30)
 Ask student to explain how our earthly life is a pilgrimage to our heaven.
Ask students to share any background knowledge on what a Holy Door is. Explain to students
what the Holy Door is.
o At the beginning of a Holy Year, the Holy Door is opened by the Pope.
o The Holy Door represents Christ. For Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enters in
he shall be saved." (John, 10:9).
o “I wish that the Jubilee Indulgence may reach each one as a genuine experience of God’s
mercy, which comes to meet each person in the Face of the Father who welcomes and
forgives, forgetting completely the sin committed. To experience and obtain the Indulgence,
the faithful are called to make a brief pilgrimage to the Holy Door, open in every Cathedral
or in the churches designated by the Diocesan Bishop, and in the four Papal Basilicas in
Rome, as a sign of the deep desire for true conversion.” (Pope Francis, September 2015).
 Ask students to explain the following:
 What does Pope Francis wish every person will experience during the Jubilee
of Mercy?
 Where are the faithful called to make a pilgrimage?
 Where are the Holy Doors located?
Explain Indulgences to students.
 What is an indulgence?
 "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to
sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is
duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of
the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with
authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints." (81) (1471)
o Have students share their understanding.
 Explain the requirements for indulgences.
 How can we receive indulgence by God through the Church?
 An indulgence is obtained through the Church who, by virtue of the power of
binding and loosing granted her by Christ Jesus, intervenes in favor of
individual Christians and opens for them the treasury of the merits of Christ
and the saints to obtain from the Father of mercies the remission of the
temporal punishments due for their sins. Thus the Church does not want
simply to come to the aid of these Christians, but also to spur them to works
of devotion, penance, and charity.(90) (1478)
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o Have students share their understanding.
o Ask students to explain how a pilgrimage to the Holy Door would allow
one to receive indulgence.
Ask students to explain how indulgences are a merciful acts of God.
Explain temporal punishment due to sin.
 The punishments of sin
o 1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God
entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal
punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials
of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the
Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a
grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by
prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the
"old man" and to put on the "new man."85
 Ask students to explain their understanding.
 Share that we can think of this as a way of repairing the damage caused by
our sins.
Explain indulgence in light of the communion of saints
 Since the faithful departed now being purified are also members of the same
communion of saints, one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for
them, so that the temporal punishments due for their sins may be remitted.
(1479)
o Ask students to explain how we can help the poor souls in purgatory.
Skills:
 The students will be able to:
o Explain what a jubilee year is.
o Explain what a pilgrimage is.
o Explain what an indulgence is and how we can receive it.
o Explain why we must reconcile our sins with God.
o Show how they can help poor souls in purgatory.
Assessments:
Students will draw or write to explain why we must reconcile our sins with God.
Students will draw or write about a way that they can help the poor souls in purgatory.
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014.
Catholic Relief Services. The Jubilee Year of Mercy. 2015. http://www.crs.org/resourcecenter/jubilee-year-mercy
Diocese of Lansing Religion Content Curriculum. August 2000.
Great Jubilee. 2000. http://www.ewtn.com/Jubilee/history/OT2.htm
Pope Francis’ Jubilee Letter. 2015. http://www.im.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo/lettera.html
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
Mary, Mother of Mercy and the Communion of Saints
Name 1-3 related Standard from the DOL Religion curriculum:
III. Jesus. C1. Tells the story of the sending of the Spirit/Pentecost.
IV. Church. G1. Recognizes Mary as mother of all.
IV. Church. G3. Tells the story of the Annunciation.
Overarching Concepts:
Mary is the Mother of Mercy.
Mary showed mercy by accepting God’s will at the Annunciation.
Mary showed mercy by being present during the sending of the Spirit/Pentecost.
Essential Questions:
How does Mary show mercy?
How did Mary show mercy by accepting God’s will at the Annunciation?
How did Mary show mercy by being present during Pentecost?
Content:
 The teacher will:
o Teach students Mary is the Mother of Mercy.
 Explain that Jesus is mercy incarnate, Mary is the mother of Jesus, and therefore
Mary is the mother of mercy.
o Ask students to explain what the Annunciation is.
 Invite students to explain how Mary showed mercy to every human person through
accepting God’s Word and will at the Annunciation.
o Invite students to share the story of Mary visiting her pregnant elderly family member
Elizabeth. If students are unfamiliar, share the story with them.
 Ask students to explain how Mary showed mercy by visiting her pregnant elderly
family member, Elizabeth, in the Visitation.
o Share with students the story of the Wedding Feast of Cana. Explain that Mary brought to
Jesus’ attention the needs of the married couple and encouraged Jesus to perform his first
miracle.
 Ask students to explain how Mary shows mercy to the married couple and the needs
of others.
o Share with students that Mary showed mercy by participating is her Son’s mercy at the foot
of the cross.
 Ask students to explain how Mary is like God in accepting Jesus’ path of salvation.
o Invite students to share the story of Pentecost. If students are unfamiliar, read the following
to them:
 The Coming of the Holy Spirit: (2) When the day of Pentecost had come, they were
all together in one place. (2) And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the
rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (3)
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of
them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (John 21: Act 2).
 Ask the students to retell the story of the Pentecost in their own words.
 Explain to students that Mary had experienced the Holy Spirit before.
 Ask them to share when she had experienced the Holy Spirit.
 Tell students the disciples had not experienced the Holy Spirit before and were
waiting to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence.
 Ask the students how Mary showed mercy by being present when the Holy
Spirit came upon the disciples.
o Ask students to explain how Mary shows mercy in never committing a personal sin against
God or other people.
o Pray together – Hail, Holy Queen
 Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee
do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit
of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Skills:
 The students will be able to:
o Explain how Mary shows mercy.
o Retell the story of the Annunciation.
o Retell the story of Pentecost.
Assessments:
Students will complete the retelling the story of the Annunciation handout.
Students will complete the retelling the story of Pentecost handout.
Resources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2014.
Diocese of Lansing Religion Content Curriculum. August 2000
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).
Name:_______________
The Annunciation
Retell the story of the Annunciation.
First:
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The Annunciation
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The Annunciation
Retell the story of the Annunciation.
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Pentecost
Retell the story of Pentcost.
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Pentecost
Retell the story of Pentecost.
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Pentecost
Retell the story of Pentecost.
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