Appeal for generous Contribution for Flood Victims

 "If one member suffers, all suffer together" (1 Cor 12,26).

Dear Fathers/Brothers/Sisters,

SUBJECT: Appeal for solidarity and contribution to help the flood affected population in Patna, Maner, Bakhtiarpur and Bariarpur Parishes under Patna Archdioceses.

We, the Catholic Church in Bihar express our deep concern and solidarity with the flood affected people of Bihar and offer our prayers and condolences to all those who lost their lives, livestock and property.

The flood happened due to release of water from Indrapuri Barrage and other rivers merging into Ganga River. Besides, a huge volume of water has been released from Bansagar dam and it is expected that water level, which has reduced, may once again rise.

As per the news, at least 120 persons have been killed while 23.71 lakh people affected in the Bihar floods with many areas, specially the riverine belt of 12 districts badly reeling under water in the state. As per the Disaster Management Department statement, the floods caused by a spate in rivers Ganga, Sone, Punpun, Burhi Gandak, Ghaghara and Kosi have affected 23.71 lakh people in 1115 villages under 362 Panchayats in 12 districts of the state.

As the reports coming in, Patna and Munger are the worst affected districts. Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal has stated that a total of 1.55 lakh people have been evacuated so far in Patna district, and 179 relief camps were being run in the flood-hit areas, giving shelter to 1,07,000 people even as 160 medical teams were providing services. However, as the reports published in today’s newspaper, the flood situation is grim and lakhs of population are still not getting any help from Govt.

Based on initial need assessment by our church organizations besides other humanitarian agencies, there is huge need emerging and there is a huge gap in Food materials, blankets, sanitary kits, medicines to the affected population. We need to respond to the need of the suffering people by extending our support and reach out to the marooned brother and sisters in the flooded area of in Maner, Patna, Bakhtiarpur and Bariarpur Parishes.

On behalf of the Catholic Church in Bihar, I make an urgent appeal to all the members of the hierarchy and the leadership to encourage the community of faithful, institutions and people of goodwill to generously contribute to this humanitarian call and express our solidarity and support in time of need.

  Keeping in mind the urgency of the need, you may send your contribution to ‘Sewa Kendra’, A/C no. 18950100001625 (UCO bank, Digha Ghat, Patna).

May I invoke the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ on all of us.

Yours lovingly in the Service of the Lord,

†William D’ Souza S.J                                                                         Fr. Amal Raj S.

Archbishop of Patna                                                                            Director

News Letter                 January-February-2016                                     Transfer and appointment                 From                                       To Fr. Sabu Davis                         Youth Director             For Renewal and sabbatical Fr. Asit Lakra                           Asst. Youth Director                Youth Director Archbishop’s Programme: January 2016 9-10     Shapur Parish 11        Jehanabad 12-13   Hindi Principal& Secretary Meeting     PM   KHFH 17        Holy Door at Mokama 23        Goveas Jubilee, Jahanabad 24        Muzaffarpur 30        C.J’s First Vows 31        Gaya February 3-4       Ranchi 5          FVTRS 6          Fatwa 7          Mokama Feast 10        Ash Wednesday 12        Education Council 13-14   Barbigha 17-18   Hindi Regional Bishops’ Meeting 19        Barh 20        Nawada 21        Hilsa Meeting with the Major Superiors of Patna Archdiocese: Archbishop William D’Souza SJ had a meeting with Major Superiors/ their representatives of the Religious Congregations serving the Archdiocese at 6:00 pm on 23 November 2015 at Sewa Kendra, Patna. On invitation Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara of Nagpur was also present for the meeting. Archbishop Abraham shared the developments with regard to the proposed medical college in Ranchi. Later Archbishop William shared the happening, concerns of the Archdiocese and requested their cooperation and support for the programs being planned for the coming year. He talked about the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Mokama Shrine Development, and 150th Death Anniversary of Bishop Hartmann OFM. CCI Convention at Patna:  On 24th November, 48 representatives, two lay people from every deanery of all six dioceses in Bihar along with the Regional Commission Secretaries, the Bishops of Bihar came together under the banner of Catholic Council of India. The convention began at 8:30 a.m. at Navjyoti Niketan with reading of a passage from the Bible, a short prayer and a Bhajan. Archbishop William D’Souza SJ, Bishop Sebastian (Buxar) Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara (Nagpur) Fr. Aloysius Ephrem Raju, the Secretary of CCI and the Secretaries of the different commissions of BRBC were present for the convention. Fr. Raju and Mr. Lawrence enlightened the house on the role and functions of the CCI. After the reporting session Bishop Sebastian asked the participants that we need to have a unit of CCI in our region. Names were suggested accordingly Bihar Regional Catholic Council (BRCC) was constituted with the following members:             President                                              :Most Rev. William D’Souza SJ Chairman                                             :Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura (Buxar) Secretary                                              :Mr. Paschal Peter Osta (Patna)  Joint Secretary                                     :Fr. James Shekhar (Patna) Vice Presidents                                      :Ms. Usha Marandi (Bhagalpur)                                                                         :Mr. Sammi Abraham (Bettiah) Treasurer                                             :Dr. Victor Alphonse (Patna) Bishop Sebastian suggested that we need to make our own statutes according to the nature and need of our region. Golden Jubilee of Archbishop William: The Patna Archdiocese celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Archbishop William D’souza, S.J., with joy and gladness.  The archdiocesan priests decided to celebrate the Jubilee on 26th November at 6.00 PM at St. Joseph’s Pro-cathedral.  Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Prem Prakash, the Vicar General a committee did the preparation for the celebration. The religious working in the Archdiocese were invited. The Bishops of Bihar Region Most Rev. Kurien, Most  Rev. Sebastian, Most Rev. Cajetan, Most Rev. Angelus and Very Rev. Fr. Lawrence Paschal added the extra flavor to the celebration.  The regional secretaries of different commission in Bihar Region were present for the Jubilee. The guests and the Jubiliarion were welcomed by the Band from St. Joseph’s Girls’ School, Barh. The procession for the Jubilee Mass was led by the nurses of Tripolia Hospital. Fr. Kuldeep led the choir. Fr. Jerome was in-charge of the Liturgy. Very Rev. Fr. Prem Prakash welcomed and introduced the liturgy. Very Rev. Fr. Jose Vadaserry the Provincial of Patna Province read the letter of the General. Fr. James George preached the homily and appreciated the Archbishop for his heart for the people. Fr. Devasia Mattathilani read the Papal Blessing. The band led everyone to St. Joseph's Hindi Medium for the dinner. Once again Congratulation dear Archbishop! Thank you for leading us from front as shepherd. Jubilee Year of Mercy:  During the Holy Eucharistic Celebration, on the Feast of Immaculate Conception, the Archbishop hoisted the flag and inaugurated the Jubilee year of Mercy. The Archbishop emphasized the importance of the Jubilee Year and the reasons for it. He said that Pope Francis formally announced on 11 April, 2015, the Vigil of the Sunday of Divine Mercy, “Holy Year of Mercy” to begin on 8th  December 2015. This Holy Year is to commemorate both the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th Anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, which called the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone. The Holy Year will conclude on November 20, 2016, on the Feast of Christ the King.  The Archbishop mentioned three important aspects for the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy namely Mercy, Compassion and Love. He announced that St. Joseph's Pro-cathedral will have an adoration chapel and he encouraged the faithful to take time and to be with the Lord. The Samachar invites every visitor to Archbishop’s House to make a short visit to the Blessed Sacrament exposed for the public from sunrise to sunset, at the Adoration Chapel. Holy Door Opened: Archbishop William D’souza S.J, opened the Holy Door at St. Joseph’s Pro-cathedral on 13th December 2015, along with the universal church, as Holy Father Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at the Cathedral of Rome, St. John’s Lateran. On Sunday, the fog and biting cold could not diminish the cheers and gladness of the faithful as they gathered at St. Joseph’s ground for the spiritual celebration. The Archbishop in his introduction explained the procedure and the significance of the liturgy. Quoting from Misericordiae Vultus Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, by the Holy Father, he said that the Holy Door signified our entry into the church with the renewal and trust. Fr. Peter Ladis proclaimed the Gospel, and Bro. Dharam Kishore read the extract from Hindi Version of the Misericordiae Vultus. The Procession was led by the Archbishop, and the priests followed by the faithful. The choir sang meaningful hymns to lead the procession. On the arrival at the entrance of the Pro-cathedral, the Archbishop invoked the grace of God and to shower His Mercy to all who enter the Door. He carried the Bible, as he first entered the Church followed by others. In his homily, he exhorted the faithful to read the Bull of Indiction and practice the teaching of the Holy Father through the works of mercy. He explained the meaning of the Holy Door, in which the History of Salvation and Sacraments are depicted.  http://archdiocesepatna.blogspot.in/p/phot.html Congratulations to Deacon Dharam Kishor who received the order of Deaconate on 14th December, 2015, by Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J. at the Pro-Cathedral, Bankipur, Patna. He is appointed at Bariarpur Parish to do his deaconate ministry under the guidance of Fr. Rakesh.   Creane Memorial School, Gaya: Sixty Seventh death anniversary of Fr. James Creane, S.J., was celebrated on 28th November, 2015. The day began with prayer at Fr. Creane’s tomb. Evening programme was dedicated to parents and highlight of the evening was the “Continental Show” which had selected dances from seven continents. Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J. graced the occasion as chief guest and Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, S.P. of Gaya as the guest of honour.     St. John’s Academy, Kankarbagh: St. John Utsav was celebrated on 5th December,2015 in St. John’s Academy. Kankarbagh. The Chief Guest was Most Rev. William D’Souza,S.J., the Archbishop of Patna. Utsav began at 2.30 pm. Archbishop gave away the best student award for the academic year2005-16. He delivered an inspiring speech in which he emphasized the importance of the role of the parents in the growth of the students. St. John’s family was happy to honour Archbishop with a memento on the occasion of his golden Jubilee. St. Joseph’s Convent School, Barh:  Parents day was celebrated with happiness and excitement in the campus of St. Joseph’s Convent School, barh on 12th December, 2015. Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J., was the chief guest of the celebration. The day was marked by incredible display of the talents by the students. The charisma of the function was a skit, “Empowerment of Women” which challenged every audience present over there to contemplate about the obligation to educate the girl children. In his address to the parents the Archbishop appealed that they must spend more time with their children so that they may get proper directions from them. During the function the best students were awarded by the chief guest for their academic excellence. St. Joseph’s School, Jamalpur: On 11 December, 2015, St. Joseph’s school, Jamalpur celebrated Parent’s Day in the school campus. Fr. Joseph Raj, the Director of Education Council was the chief guest. Children presented varieties of cultural programmme on this auspicious day. Fr. Joseph Raj spoke about the responsibilities of parents concerning children. Congratulations to Fr. Nandu Kumar, the secretary of the school, Sr. Prabha, SND, the headmistress and all the teaching staff.  St. Mary’s School, Masaurhi: On 28th November, 2015, school sports day was celebrated in the campus of St. Mary’s School, Masaurhi. Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J., was the chief guest for the function. Archbishop appreciated the girls for taking lead in all the activities. On the same day Mr. Chandrashekar Singh, SDM inaugurated the newly constructed 17 class Rooms while the Archbishop William D’Souza, Frs. Joseph Raj and Philip soosai blessed the new class rooms. Archbishop congratulated Fr. Sebastian, the principal and Fr. Augustine Mundoli, the secretary of the school for a massive construction of 17 class rooms within a short period only with  local resources. St. Xavier’s School, Sikandra has added one more leaf of joy to the calendar of 2015 with a great success of school annual day on 2nd December, 2015. The Chief Guest was Most Rev. William D’ Souza, Archbishop of Patna. The guest of honour was Mr. Srija (District Educational Officer) and the program was witnessed by many secular and religious priests and religious sisters and friends. The students surprised the audience with their wonderful performance. It was the hard work put together by the students, the staff and the principal along with their secretary. Congratulations to all. First Holy Communion for 47 Children at Bihar Sharif Parish: The Vicar General Fr. Prem Prakash celebrated the solemn Holy Eucharist on 13th December, 2015 at Sacred Heart Church, Bihar Sharif, giving first Holy Communion to 47 children. Class IX and X girls lead the communicants with an entrance dance. The Mahila Sangh welcomed the main celebrant with mala and arti. The Crus veer children led the choir under the guidance of Sr. Jemma, SRA. There was a long offertory procession by the parents of the first communicants with fruits, flowers and rice etc. Fr. Prem in his homily inspired the communicants and the faithful to experience Jesus through the sacrament of Holy Communion and live a spiritual life fitting to be “Another Christ” in their life. Soon after the Mass Fr. Vicar General distributed certificate to the first communicants. There was agape for the parents and communicants. Congratulations to Fr. James Rosario, the Parish Priest and all SRA Sisters for preparing those children to receive Jesus in their hearts. St. Mary’s Church, A.G. Colony, Rajabazar: On 20th December, 2015 the faithful of A.G. Colony, Rajabazar celebrated Parish Day. Fr. Prem, the Vicar General was the main celebrant. Frs. Devasia Chirayil, and Jose Muthuplackal, the Priest In-Charge concelebrated. During the Eucharistic celebration 4 children received First Holy Communion.    Celebration of Opening the Holy Door of Divine Mercy and Golden Jubilee of Archbishop at Kurji Parish: December 20, 2015, Parishioners of Kurji Parish had the opportunity to celebrate the opening of the Holy Door of Divine Mercy as part of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Divine Mercy. The Parishioners twined the same with the Golden Jubilee of Archbishop William D' Souza, S. J.  The faithful gathered before the stage of Hartmann Girls' High School, before the Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist began with an introduction of both the events by Mr. Gabriel John, Secretary of Parish Council. After the opening prayer, all proceeded to the main entrance of the Church. Archbishop said the prayers and opened the Holy Door for all. In his homily the Archbishop exhorted the people to become merciful in word and action, as the Father. He pointed to the human suffering all over the world due to natural and human made calamities and urged all to respond to such situations with an open and generous heart. After the Mass everyone was given tea and refreshments. Junior Clergy Get together: The junior clergy of the Archdiocese gathered at Sewa Kendra for two days’ Group Dynamics and Group Therapy between 3rd and 4th of December 2015. Fr. Peter Ladis took some time out of his legal ministry to be with them and guided them in the Group Dynamics. All the twelve participants did have a good experience of Group Therapy guided by Sr. Monica HC. Thanks to Fr. Prem Prakash, the Vicar General for taking initiative to bring all the Junior Clergy of the Archdiocese together for such wonderful ongoing formation of the priests. National Eucharistic Congress: Six delegates from Patna Archdiocese participated in the National Eucharist Congress, held in the Pius X Seminary, Goregoan, Mumbai, from 12th to 15 November, 2015. The theme of the NEC was “The Eucharist: Nourished by Christ, to Nourish Others.” The Eucharistic Congress commemorated 50 years of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s visit to India, on 2-5 Dec. 1964, to celebrate the 38th International Eucharistic Congress in Mumbai, then Bombay.  The main focus was to promote the awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.    Your Attention Please: For regular updates and news have a surfing at:     http://archdiocesepatna.blogspot.in/ Shrine Feast, Mokama: Mother of Divine Grace feast will be celebrated on 7th February, 2016, at Mokama Parish. Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J., will be the main celebrant on the occasion. Prior to that Novena will be conducted by different Parishes for the faithful. Deanery level Recollection for Priests is scheduled to be held on 13th February, 2016. It is up to each dean to fix the place, time and a Priest to guide the recollection. Annual Statistical Data: Format for the annual statistical data is circulated to each Parish. You are supposed to provide the statistical data of 2015. Make it sure that it reaches Fr. Vicar General by 31st January, 2016.   All the Principals and Secretaries of the Archdiocesan Hindi Medium Schools of the Patna Archdiocese are invited to attend the meeting on 12th January, 2015 to 13th January, 2015 at Sewa Kendra, Patna. The Annual Examination in Catechism will be held for the Catholic Students in Schools and Parishes on 20th February, 2016. The Principals and Parish Priests are requested to order the number of question papers needed to the office of the Council of Education latest by 20th January, 2016. Office Clerk mob no. 7561998903. Annual Examination for English Subject will take place from 7th March. All the principals of Hindi medium schools should compulsorily follow the questions given by the Council of Education. Hence, you are requested to order the number of question papers needed to the office of the Council of Education latest by 20th January, 2016. Secretaries of all the Archdiocesan Schools are requested to be ready with School Budget - 2016-17 after the consultation with the principals and approved by the School Managing Committee latest by 15th January, 2016. The Budget team will visit your place from 15th January, 2016. Budget Meeting for the year 2016-17 will be held on 12th February, 2016. All the members of the Patna Archdiocesan Council of Education (PACE) are requested to free youself for the whole day session. Training Ptogramme Under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana at Sewa Kenrda, Kurji Patna: A training programme, named Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana(DDUGKY) supported by ministry of Rural development, Government of India is presently going on at Sawa Kendra, Kurji, Patna under the aegis of Coffee Day Global Ltd, Patna, as implementing agency. The scheme focuses on enhancing skill of rural youth (both male and female) for wage employment. The inclusive programme is designed to cover socially disadvantaged groups (SC/ST 50 Per., Minority 15 Per., and Women 33 Per.)  Fr. Jose Mattathilani and Fr. Deepak D' Mello, S. J., were taken to Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi for treatment on December 09, 2015. Frs. Devasia Mattathilani and Johnson Kelakath, S. J. accompanied them. Fr. Jose underwent an open heart surgery for three bypasses on 11th and has been discharged from the hospital on 17th. In the meantime Fr. Deepak was asked to undergo some more tests to ascertain the condition of his heart before it could be decided what sort of treatment he might need. Besides the heart problem he was suffering from Urinary Track Infection (UTI). He was asked to wait till this problem is normalized for any further treatment of his heart. All the same Fr. Johnson was expected to meet the doctor with all the reports of Fr. Deepak on 14th and make a decision as to what needs to be done once the UTI is settled. Hence he went to stay in St. Xavier's community. That night Fr. Deepak had meals and recreation with the community and went to bed. As he developed breathing difficulty he sought the help of Fr. Johnson who in turn called Fr. Jose Philip, the rector and rushed him to Sant Paramanda Hospital. But the plan of God for Deepak was something different. He was called to his eternal reward at 11 o'clock in the night of 13th. The mortal remains of Fr. Deepak was brought to Patna and laid to rest in the cemetery at XTTI on December 16, 2015. On the same day Sr. Alphonsa, SSH (85) was also laid to rest at Kurji Parish cemetery. Both of them worked together in Barbigha. Archdiocese will always remember the great contributions made by Fr. Deepak and Sr. Alphonsa. May their souls rest in peace.

Christmas 2015

The Pastoral Letter of the Archbishop

Year of Mercy Pastoral Letter

(A Pastoral Letter to be read during the Mass on 6/13^th Dec, in all the churches and chapels of the Archdiocese of Patna on the Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy)

My dear brother and sisters,

I write to you this pastoral letter with the happy news that Pope Francis formally announced on 11 April, 2015, the Vigil of the Sunday of Divine Mercy, “Holy Year of Mercy” to begin on 8th December 2015. This Holy Year is to commemorate both the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council, which called the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the world in new ways, bringing God’s mercy to everyone. The Holy Year will conclude on November 20, 2016, on the feast of Christ the King.  The message of mercy and joy has been central to Pope Francis’ pontificate, as it was to Saint John Paul II who inaugurated this Sunday after Easter as Mercy Sunday and who canonized the Polish visionary of God’s mercy, Saint Faustina.

The 28-page bull, titled “Misericordiae Vultus” or “The Face of Mercy” opens with the declaration, “Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith.” In the document, Pope Francis says the Holy Year is “dedicated to living out in our daily lives the mercy” which God “constantly extends to all of us.” The Holy Father develops three main themes.

First, Pope Francis elaborates the theological understanding of God’s mercy, explaining the role of mercy in the life of people and of the Church, who are both the beneficiaries and the witnesses to God’s mercy in the world. “The mercy of God is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality through which he reveals his love as that of a father or a mother, moved to the very depths out of love for their child,” the Pope writes. “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life,” he continues. “The Church’s very credibility is seen in how she shows merciful and compassionate love.” He recalls that the motto of the Holy Year is “Merciful like the Father.” “Wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident,” he writes. “Wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy.”

Secondly, the Pope offers practical ways to live well the Holy Year: go on pilgrimage as an “impetus to conversion”; do not judge or condemn but forgive and give, avoid gossip, envy and jealousy; have a heart open to the fringes of society and bring consolation, mercy and solidarity to people who live in precarious situations; take up the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy with joy; and observe the “24 Hours for the Lord” initiative, which encourages prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation, in every diocese during Lent. He also addresses confessors, encouraging them to be “authentic signs of the Father’s mercy.” And, during Lent of the Holy Year, the Pope says he will send out “Missionaries of Mercy”–priests to whom he will grant “the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See.” They will be “living signs of the Father’s readiness to welcome those in search of his pardon,” he writes.

Thirdly, the Pope issues particular calls for justice and conversion, and to change our lives and to embrace God’s mercy. He also notes that both Judaism and Islam “consider mercy to be one of God’s most important attributes.” And he expresses “trust that this Jubilee… will foster an encounter” with these and other religions that will “open us to even more fervent dialogue” toward greater knowledge and understanding, “eliminate every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect and drive out every form of violence and discrimination.” He also recalls the relationship between justice and mercy as “two dimensions of a single reality that…culminates in the fullness of love.”“God does not deny justice,” he continues. “He rather envelopes it and surpasses it with an even greater event (mercy) in which we experience love as the foundation of true justice.”

As we prepare for this Holy Year, it is important to remember God’s mercy is his unfailing attitude and actions towards the least deserving, and especially the spiritually poor. Mercy never abandons us in the misery of our sins by pretending sin doesn’t matter. We may easily give up on each other and believe ourselves incapable of the call to holiness; but God never ceases to call us and to offer us his grace which is “the free and undeserved help that God gives to those who respond to his call” (CCC 1996). In the Gospel we see how Christ does not give up on Saint Thomas, despite all of his refusals to accept Divine mercy (Jn 20,19-31). Likewise, Our Lord will never cease to call each of us to rise again from wherever sin has brought us down.

Our Christian life begins with an act of mercy, an act of rescue in Baptism. And this work of rescue becomes the pattern of our life in Christ. Since our Christian lives are always lived at a crossroads, the Catechism describes: “There are two ways: the one of life, the other of death”’ (CCC 1696).  The Church always puts before us the distinction between the way of Christ leading to life and the false path which leads to death. However, God’s mercy does not abandon us even if we follow the lure of the false path. His mercy goes before us; it also follows us, as Saint Augustine taught. This call is compared in the Catechism to ‘Jesus’ look of infinite mercy’ that ‘drew tears of repentance from Peter’. It is this gaze of love that leads each of us through a process of ‘uninterrupted’ conversion as God makes our hearts new (CCC 1428-1432). The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation entrusted to the Church is the merciful means by which we continue to choose life and bring all of our unruly thoughts, words and actions into conformity with Christ. The Father of Mercies continues to rescue us and helps us in our thoughts, our words and our actions to the life of his Son, since it is only in this Divine life that we can ultimately find happiness.

 At the same time the Church teaches us how the gift of the Holy Spirit sets before us a well-established path so we may unite ourselves to Christ and follow this way of mercy: the path is called the ‘works of mercy.’ The works of mercy help us respond to the generous mercy of God. Many of us will have been taught them from our earliest years and we will return to them in the Holy Year ahead. The seven corporal works of mercy are: 1. Feed the hungry. 2. Give drink to the thirsty. 3. Clothe the naked. 4. Shelter the homeless. 5. Visit the sick. 6. Visit the imprisoned. 7. Bury the dead. And the seven spiritual works of mercy are: 1. Counsel the doubtful. 2. Instruct the ignorant.
 3.Admonish sinners.
 4. Comfort the afflicted. 5. Forgive offences. 6. Bear wrongs patiently.
7. Pray for the living and the dead. These works mark-out the path by which we must each seek to be merciful ‘as our Father is merciful’ (Lk 6,36).

The Holy Father requested that every diocese in the world open a “Door of Mercy” to mark the Year of Mercy. A Holy Door (porta sancta in Latin) has been used since the 15^th Century as a ritual expression of conversion. The Pilgrims pass through it as a gestures of leaving the past behind and crossing the threshold from sin, from slavery to freedom, and from darkness to light. In the words of Pope Francis, “There is only one way that opens wide the entrance into the life of communion with God: this is Jesus, the one and absolute way to salvation”. During Jubilee year, when pilgrims enter through those doors to gain the plenary indulgence connected with the Jubilee. I will open the Holy Door at St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral (13^th Dec), the Church of the Queen of the Apostles at Kurji (20^th Dec), The Church of the Visitation of BVM, at Patna City and the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Grace at Mokama.

·         I encourage during the Year 2016, every parish to organize pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Grace at Mokama for Krus Veer, Youth, Parish Council, Mahila Sangh, Village groups, etc. Encourage them to take part in the Shrine feast in the beginning of February 2016.

·         Pilgrimages aloes could be undertaken to the parishes with the Holy Doors for special indulgences.

·         Please consider the possibility of an Adoration Chapel in the parish for the Adoration of the Eucharistic Lord. The Priests, Religious, and the Laity can spend time before the Lord.

·         4^th March, 2016 will be a day of “24 Hours Adoration” in the parishes in the Archdiocese along with the Universal Church.

·         Reciting the Divine Rosary in the parishes either before or after the Holy Mass and in the family during the evening prayers.

·         Pope’s message on the Year of Mercy and the Pictures of Divine Mercy will be made available to the families.

·         I encourage all the parishes to organize parish retreat during the year 2016, with emphasis on God’ Mercy.

In this Jubilee Year, let us remember that God is slow to anger abundant in Mercy and Love (Ex 34,6). At times we may easily give up on each other and believe ourselves incapable of the call to holiness; but God never ceases to call us and to offer us his grace which is ‘the free and undeserved help that God gives to those who respond to his call. Let us echo the word of God that resounds strong and clear as a message and a sign of pardon, strength, aid, and love. May we never tire of extending mercy, and be ever patient in offering compassion and comfort. May we become the voice of every man and woman, and repeat confidently without end: “Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old” (Ps 25,6).

Yours in the Service of the Lord,

+William D’souza, S.J.

Archbishop of Patna