The Diocese of Jackson has esablished ten pilgrimage sites in addition to the Holy Door at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in honor of the Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis. These sites allow the faithful to make a pilgrimage and fully immerse themselves in the contemplation of mercy.
The pope declared certain days to be jubilee days for specific groups of people – catechists, those who work in prison ministry, youth, etc. A full schedule is posted on the diocesan website, www.jacksondiocese.org. In addition, parishes are adding their own observances of the year to their calendars.
In Booneville, Carol Dickerson created a pilgrimage site map, tracing the path between the sites with little feet and including photos of each church a pilgrim should visit in each town. She included information on the jubilee and on pilgrimages in general.
In Vicksburg, St. Paul Parish is celebrating the feast of St. Paul with a pilgrimage day packed with opportunities for liturgy, prayer and fellowship.
A schedule of a couple of events follows.
CLEVELAND Our Lady of Victories Parish will have weekly small-group discussions for six weeks after the mission (Jan. 17-19) in parishioners’ homes. The focus will be “The Holy Year of Mercy” as declared by Pope Francis.
JACKSON St. Richard Parish, Benediction, every Wednesday during the Year of Mercy from 6 – 6:30 p.m. and confession from 6:30 – 7:30 in the church.
VICKSBURG St. Mary Parish has Mass at  6:30 a.m. and a Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 6 p.m. The church will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for pilgrims to visit.
St. Michael Catholic Church has Mass at 8:30 a.m. The church will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for  pilgrims.
St. Paul Catholic Church will have Mass at 7:00 a.m.; Eucharistic Adoration at 7:30 a.m.;
8:00 a.m.    Rosary: Joyful Mysteries
9:00 a.m. Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries
10:00 a.m. Rosary: Glorious Mysteries
11:00 a.m. Rosary: Luminous Mysteries
11:00 am to noon confession
11:30 am Benediction                Noon Mass
12:30 pm    Eucharistic Adoration
1:00 pm    Rosary: Joyful Mysteries
2:00 pm Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries
3:00 pm Divine Mercy Chaplet and the 3 o’clock prayers
4:00 pm Rosary: Glorious Mysteries
4:30 to 5:30 pm  confession
5:00 pm Rosary: Luminous Mysteries
5:30 pm    Benediction
7:00 pm    Peter & Paul Film in Farrell Hall
For additional information contact:   601.636.0140  or 601.831.0978.
If your parish or faith community is hosting a Jubilee Year of Mercy event or program, please let us know about it by emailing editor@mississippicatholic.com)