In the Bull Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis expressed the desire that many people may rediscover Divine Mercy during the Jubilee Year. Among other suggestions, he encouraged the opening in basilicas and churches of a Door of Mercy “through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons, and instils hope.”

The Door of Mercy in the prelatic church of Our Lady of Peace, where the mortal remains of Saint Josemaria and Blessed Alvaro reside, was opened on December 13.

Anyone who visits this church can obtain the plenary indulgence offered for the Jubilee of Mercy, if the conditions set forth in the Bull are fulfilled. This indulgence includes the removal of the temporal punishment for one’s own sins and can also be applied in suffrage for the souls of the faithful departed.

In accord with the usual practice for the reception of indulgences, and following the indications foreseen with respect to the Door of Mercy in various churches and shrines during the Jubilee Year, the indulgence can be obtained by all the faithful who:

1) make a visit to the prelatic church of our Lady of Peace and there, after passing through the Holy Door or Door of Mercy, take part in a liturgical celebration or, at least, remain for some minutes in prayer reflecting on God’s mercy;

2) recite the Creed and a prayer for the Pope and his intentions, in particular the Our Father. It is good to end the prayer with an invocation to the Most Merciful Heart of Jesus;

3) and fulfill the other usual conditions foreseen by the Church: sacramental confession and communion, with complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.

As for the sick and the elderly, the Holy Father says, “For them it will be of great help to live their sickness and suffering as an experience of closeness to the Lord who in the mystery of his Passion, death and Resurrection indicates the royal road which gives meaning to pain and loneliness. Living with faith and joyful hope this moment of trial, receiving communion or attending Holy Mass and community prayer, even through the various means of communication, will be for them the means of obtaining the Jubilee Indulgence.”