Catholic Church in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Prayer of Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy 2015-2016

Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have shown us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we shall be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adultress Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repantant thief.

Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: "If you knew the gift of God!"

You are the visible face of the invisible Father, the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and merecy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified: You willed that your ministers wouls also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit anbd consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that thw Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may being good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen.