Pope’s 2016 Schedule and the Special Prayer Prepared for the Upcoming Jubilee of Mercy

By Alison Lesley --
28 Jul 2015 --

Pope Francis’ 2016 schedule: a year of celebration for the poor, the oppressed, the blind and the sick. Pope Francis also hopes to renew enthusiasm in the Catholic Church.

During his penitential service last March 13, Pope Francis officially announced December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 as the jubilee year of Mercy. It will be a year of celebration and hope especially for the poor, oppressed, the blind and sick, and also to renew enthusiasm in the Catholic Church.

There will be several events all throughout the year but the major ones are usually attended, celebrated, or presided by Pope Francis himself. The Vatican already planned a schedule for said big events, and those that involved the Pope are the following:

January 19-21, 2016 – Jubilee for pilgrimage workers

The first major event is the gathering of international pilgrimage workers which includes staff of shrines, rectors, and priest. The event will start with a Mass on January 19, conference and catechesis the following day, and a meeting with the pontiff by January 21 at the Paul VII Hall.

February 22, 2016 – Jubilee for the Roman Curia

February 22 will be the jubilee for the Vatican which includes the Roman Curia, the Governatorate, and all the institutions or offices linked to the tiny Catholic state.

March 4 and 5, 2016 – 24 Hours for the Lord and “Vigil to Dry Tears”

Aside from the main jubilee events, two days of vigil where the Pope will preside are added. The 24 Hours for the Lord on the 4th and the “Vigil to Dry Tears” on the 5th of March.

April 1-3, 2016 – Jubilee of Divine Mercy

A penitential rite will be celebrated by Roman parishes on the 1st of April, a prayer vigil headed by the Pope the next day, and the Mass for Divine Mercy shall be held on the 3rd.

April 23 and 24, 2016 – Jubilee for teenagers

April 23 will be the celebration for the youth at Rome’s Olympic Stadium. The Pope’s Mass will follow the next day.

May 27-29, 2016 – Jubilee for deacons

Deacons will gather on May 27 for a conference, followed by Adoration, Confession, and pilgrimage to the Holy Door on May 28, and a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis will follow on May 29.

June 1-3, 2016 – Jubilee for priests

This will also be the time for Adoration, confessions, and lectio divina for priests together with a two day retreat on June 2 and 3.

June 10-12, 2016 – Jubilee for sick and disabled

It will be a gathering at jubilee churches plus a pilgrimage to the Holy Door. Celebrations at Castel Sant’Angelo will happen on June 11 followed by a Mass on June 12.

September 2-4, 2016 – Jubilee for volunteers of mercy

This will be a gathering for volunteers of mercy for a catechesis and Mass with the Pope.

September 23-25, 2016 – Jubilee for catechists

Catechists will contemplate on the works of either Caravaggio or Michelangelo on the 23rd, become part of catechesis on mercy and a prayer vigil on the 24th, followed by a Papal Mass on the 25th.

October 7-9, 2015 – Jubilee for Mary

The final major event will be the Marian Jubilee on October 7-9. It will be a gathering of worldwide Marian shrine delegates, followed by a vigil, and culminates with a Mass on October 9.

Aside from the events mentioned above, the Pope also plans to expose Padre Pio’s corpse in St. Peter’s Basilica starting on Ash Wednesday of 2016.

Prayer for the Jubilee of Mercy

Additionally, the Vatican has also released the Pope’s prayer for the upcoming Jubilee year of Mercy. In his prayer, he only hopes that the year becomes a period of renewed enthusiasm, good news for the poor, liberty for the oppressed, and treatment for the sick and disabled.