Inauguration of year of Mercy - Opening of the door

Pope Francis inaugurated an extraordinary Jubilee on 8th of December 2015 by opening the massive bronze Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in front of a crowd of worshippers. The ceremony officially started the Holy Year of Mercy that was sparingly announced by the pontiff in March and is to run until November 2016.

"To enter that door means discovering the depth of the Mercy of the Father who welcomes us all," Pope Francis.

To celebrate this inauguration, The Diocese of Mangalore announced the symbolic inauguration on 13th December, 2015. At the Derebail Parish, the Holy Door was inaugurated at 7 AM mass by the Parochial Administrator Rev. Fr. Vincent Menezes, who proceeded with the ceremony.

Then a symbolic inauguration was held to begin with the Jubilee of year of Mercy, by lighting of the lamp. Parochial Administrator and Asst. Parish Priest, The Vice President and Secretary of Parish Council, two senior citizens of the parish, two nuns and two kids representing all the parishioners, light the lamp.

Report by: Sheldon Alvares

Pictures: Simon Pereira