"The Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God,
the beating heart of the gospel, which in its own way
must penetrate the heart and mind of every person."
+ Pope Francis

With these words Pope Francis invites the Church to celebrate an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, which is a pilgrimage, a journey to the mercy of God. In this book, readers follow along the events of this important year, taking inspiration from prayers, words of Sacred Scripture, the thoughts of Pope Francis, and the words of those that inspire him. Beginning December 8, 2015, with the Opening of the Holy Doors at St. Peter s Basilica, Pope Francis encourages us to reflect upon the central importance of mercy in the life and meaning of the Church today.

Crossing the threshold means leaving behind doubt and fear and allowing God s love to embrace us. This pilgrimage is spiritual not geographic; it represents the journey of our lives, a journey through our self-understanding, a journey that leads us to a complete and final trust in the love God is for us.