Nga mihi atawhai – greetings to all in Mercy! The Christian church always steals a march on the rest of the world, by beginning its year with the first Sunday of Advent, almost a month before the calendar year has ended. But Pope Francis has stolen the march on us all, by inaugurating a special Year of Mercy on December 8, the feast of Mary’s Immaculate Conception. This is the day which marks the beginning of God’s plan to save humanity through an outpouring of merciful grace, something which comes to us as pure gift, not a right we could claim.

Sisters of Mercy around the world have welcomed the pope’s initiative and seen this Year of Mercy as an invitation to deepen their own charism and their hopes for the world.

Click below to read more about upcoming celebrations locally and globally to mark the Year of Mercy.

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