Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Every two years, the Missionaries of Mercy gather in Rome for further training in their ministry. This year, the meeting coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope.

In 2016, during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis commissioned over 1,000 missionaries globally and has continued commissioning others. He outlined in the Bull of Indiction the significant role these Missionaries play in instilling hope in penitents' hearts: “May they remain a source of reconciliation and an encouragement to look to the future with heartfelt hope inspired by the Father’s mercy.”

Currently, there are about 1,200 Missionaries of Mercy worldwide, and roughly 500 participated in a pilgrimage on March 29. Father Anthony Aarons, Orlando’s Missionary of Mercy, explained their mission: “Our particular mission is to help people find hope through the Mercy of God which flows freely through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” Referring to St. Paul's words in Romans 5, Aarons highlighted the hope that arises from Christ's love, emphasized by His sacrifice.

Pope Francis addressed the missionaries, saying, “Through your service, you bear witness to the paternal face of God, infinitely great in love, who calls everyone to conversion and constantly renews us with His forgiveness … Conversion and forgiveness are the two caresses with which the Lord wipes every tear from our eyes. They are the hands with which the Church embraces us sinners; they are the feet on which we walk in our earthly pilgrimage.”

Reconciliation services are available at the Basilica from Monday to Friday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.

During this Jubilee year, a Jubilee plenary indulgence is available. Visiting a Diocese of Orlando pilgrimage site, receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion, and praying for the Pope’s intention allows individuals to receive this indulgence. Only one plenary indulgence can be obtained per day, but a second can be applied to souls in purgatory. For further details, more information is available online.

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