Assembly to mark the beginning of the
Year of Mercy
on the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception
December 8, 2015
Today is the Feast of the
Immaculate Conception of
Our Lady, a day when we
celebrate Mary as the girl
who was chosen to be the
Mother of God
Pope Francis has
also chosen today’s
feast as the
beginning of an
Extraordinary
Jubilee Year of
Mercy.
Letter from Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown,
to all young people at the beginning of the
Year of Mercy
From John’s Gospel (8:1-11)
‘Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you’
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
That hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,
Than when we’d first begun.
Prayers for Mercy
Conscious of the need for mercy and peace in so many
places in our world today we pray for an end to terrorist
attacks, may countries learn to respect one another and live
in peace.
Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us
We pray for mercy and healing for the people of Paris,
Russia, Syria and other nations that are struggling to cope
with loss and destruction.
Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us
We pray for mercy for refugees and all those who find
themselves displaced and threatened. Loving God help
these people find a compassionate and loving response to
their needs.
Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us
Prayers for Mercy
Lord, help us to be young people of mercy, may we be humble
enough to ask forgiveness when we do wrong and strong enough
to response to those who hurt us with love and respect.
Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us
God we thank you that Pope Francis has declared this year of
Mercy, may it be a grace filled time to grow in love and mercy
within our family, school and community.
Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us
Closing Prayer
Pope Francis reminds us that in mercy we find
proof of how God loves us.
He gives his entire self, always, freely, asking
nothing in return.
May each of us this year be aware of God’s
mercy more deeply and be renewed in
celebrating, living and sharing this mercy daily.
Our Father…