Other Resources Suitable for Use in the Year of Mercy

November 28, 2016

Recommendations of other useful resources for the Year of Mercy are welcome and will be added here. Messages to: Anne Walsh - Editor Mercy eNews

BOOKLETS

Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

A series of previously published articles written by Br Mark O’Connor FMS, each a reflection on one of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and followed by some reflective points for personal enrichment, has been gathered into a booklet for the Year of Mercy. Br Mark's reference points are wide-ranging: Mary Oliver, Caravaggio, Dorothy Day, Thomas Moore, Seamus Heaney...Download the booklet here (32 pps; PDF)

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Celebrating Mercy with Believers of Other Religions

The theme of mercy in 11 other religious traditions. This compendium was produced by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for the Year of Mercy

Download the booklet here (90 pps; PDF)

ARTICLES (Series)

Thinking Faith, the online journal of the Jesuits in Britain, is publishing a series of reflections by a number of writers on the Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy in the context of Laudato si’. The first four reflections are online: To instruct the ignorant ; To counsel the doubtful;To bear wrongs patiently; ToComfort the Afflicted.

VIDEO REFLECTIONS

Mercy Chant

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................

Song: Face of Your Mercy by Jo Boyce. Lyric video (04:16)

The call to "Be merciful just as your Father is merciful" {Luke 6:36} will echo long after the #YearofMercy has drawn to a close.

VIDEO PRESENTATIONS

Online presentations by Sr. Barbara Reid, OP and Fr. Steve Bevans, SVD on Mercy. Mission. Religious Life can be viewed here on the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life website.

Presentations are in 3 parts

ANIMATIONS

An explanation of the Year of Mercy for the young and young at heart (02:51). Religious Education Teachers might find this useful for explaining the Year and how to live it.

The Year of Mercy Animation series can be accessed here

VIDEOS

'The Door'
A video by Enrique and Ricardo Serrano of the poem by Holub which reflects on the idea of how an open door is an opportunity to experience something new. Watch it here (02:24)

The text of the poem can be read here

Pope Francis' invitation to all to 'Be God's mercy' (1:00)
This message by Pope Francis was released on Friday 17 June to highlight an awareness and fund-raising initiative by the Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

'And do not be afraid of mercy: mercy is God's caress.'

<br>

Mercy Has a Face - Jubilee Year of Mercy: Quotes. Video produced by the Diocese of Parramatta, Australia

What are the Corporal and Spiritual works of Mercy? (02:33)

This video by the Hispanic Ministry Resource Center of the Claretians (HMRC) illustrates the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Text is in English.

SLIDESHOWS

Corporal Works of Mercy Slideshow

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) USA has produced a number of resources for the Year of Mercy and made these freely available on their website. Among these are the Corporal Works of Mercy Slideshow, a powerpoint presentation available in English and En Español

MUSIC

Michael Herry fms, well-known in Australia as a composer of liturgical music, has composed 'Heart of Jesus, Heart of Mercy', a hymn for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Ezekiel 36:24-28. In conversation earlier this year, Br Michael offered these to us 'as a gift'. The song can now be played and downloaded (mp3) without charge from his website here. music can be downloaded here

The official song for of the 4 Jubilee Tours of Rome in this Year of Mercy (03:37) Composed by Romano Musumarra, words of Grant Black. Sung by British mezzo soprano Carly Paoli Purchase on *iTunes *Amazon (Italy)

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................

In honour of the Jubilee Year, The Sistine Chapel Choir, the world's oldest choir, has recorded an album of pieces by Palestrina that focus on mercy. The album 'Palestrina. Missa Papæ Marcelli – Motets', is the second recorded inside the Sistine Chapel. Proceeds from the CDs sold be given to the papal charities.

Purchase tracks/the album online

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................

Compassion: a song cycle in seven movements, based on a collection of ancient Hebrew and Arabic texts.

Part 1: Watch/listen here (17:03)

Part 2: Watch/listen here (09:37)

Part 3: Watch/listen here (13:52)

Program notes can be accessed here (29 pps; PDF)

Purchase from *iTunes; *Amazon

BOOKS

'Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self'
Author:Joyce Rupp (2008)
The book is structured as a daily prayer guide for everyday use over six weeks, each day offers a thematic reflection, a guided meditation, an original prayer, a thoughtful question, and a related scripture quote.

The table of contents can be read here
A sample of the contents provided by the Publisher can be read here (19pps; PDF)
Available in paperbook or kindle format from Amazon

....................................................................................................................................................................................................

'The Church of Mercy'
Author: Pope Francis (2014)
Collected from Pope Francis’s speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy, The Church of Mercy is the first Vatican-authorized book detailing the vision of Pope Francis for the Catholic Church.
Available in paperback or kindle format from Amazon

....................................................................................................................................................................................................

'The Holy Year of Mercy: A Faith-Sharing Guide With Reflections by Pope Francis'
Author: Pope Francis (2015)
Each of the eight sessions features a Gospel passage followed by a homily on that passage given by Pope Francis. Questions for reflection and discussion focus on both the Scripture text and the homily. Related Scripture passages are included, as well as an action step that can be used to grow in the practice and understanding of God s mercy.
Available in paperback or kindle format from Amazon

The Name of God is Mercy
Authors: Pope Francis, Andrea Tornielli (2016)

In his first book published as Pope, and in conjunction with the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis here invites all humanity to an intimate and personal dialogue on the subject closest to his heart—mercy—which has long been the cornerstone of his faith and is now the central teaching of his papacy.

In this conversation with Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli, Francis explains—through memories from his youth and moving anecdotes from his experiences as a pastor—why “mercy is the first attribute of God.” God “does not want anyone to be lost. His mercy is infinitely greater than our sins,” he writes. As well, the Church cannot close the door on anyone, Francis asserts—on the contrary, its duty is to go out into the world to find its way into the consciousness of people so that they can assume responsibility for, and move away from, the bad things they have done.

Available in paperback, hardback, audible, audio CD, kindle from Amazon

......................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Way of Mercy edited by Christine M. Bochen features essays and meditations on this gospel theme, beginning with the text of Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy, as well as reflections on mercy by theologians such as Walter Kasper, Jon Sobrino, and Leonardo Boff, and beloved spiritual writers including Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, Jim Forest, Joan Chittister, and Joyce Rupp, as well as poems by Jessica Powers and R.S. Thomas.

We've quoted from this publication in 2016 and believe it's a book to take into 2017!

Purchase online from Amazon

MAGAZINES

A special issue of Scarboro Missions magazine for the Year of Mercy (24pps; PDF). Amongst the articles can be found the following:
-'The quality of mercy in Judaism' -Rabbi Miriam Margles (p10)
-'A Christian understanding of mercy' -Murray Watson (p12)
-'The concept of mercy in Islam' - Dr. Hamid Slim (p14)

The issue also includes Sr Mary Wickham's poem 'Mercy is' (p22)

Access the magazine here

Spirituality of Mercy', 'Being Merciful to Yourself', 'Rembrandt, Mercy and Justice' and 'Spiritual exercises and the corporal works of mercy' are the titles of 4 short articles in Connections, Volume 3, No. 2, Summer 2016, an online and print newsletter with practical tips for healthy life and ministry offered by St Luke's Institute.

The PDF is linked to this item.

BLESSINGS

Each month in this Year of Mercy, Ann Gilroy rsj, Editor of the award-winning Tui Motu Interislands Magazine, has composed a blessing. There are 11 online. Says Sr Ann: 'Whenever you need a moment of inspiration, a pause in the day, a prayer for a group - try a blessing'.

Read the blessings here

Articles (long-form writing) by Mercy Authors Quotations about Mercy published in Mercy eNews