SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canora is among the “privileged parishes” designated as a pilgrimage site for the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
“We should all take advantage of passing through a Holy Door, if not at Canora, then at St. Mary’s in Yorkton or any of the other Catholic churches which have one during this year,” said Merv Polzen of Kamsack, a long-time member of the Father Ruelle Council of the Knights of Columbus.
His comment was supported by Phyllis McKave, vice-president of the St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League at Kamsack.
It is a great honour, said Rev. Joakim Rac of Canora. Being recognized in this way virtually puts the Canora church at the same level as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome where Pope Frances opened the first Holy Door on December 8.
Pope Francis said: “The Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy, through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons and instils hope.” The official theme of the Catholic church for this year is “Merciful, Like the Father,” based on the Gospel of St. Luke 6,36.
The extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy is a Roman Catholic period of prayer held from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), 2015 to the Feast of Christ the King (November 20), 2016.
Bishop Bryan Bayda designated the Canora church as the pilgrimage site for the Holy Year, and along with Rev. Rac, he consecrated the Holy Door at the entrance to the SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canora on December 27 in the presence of a huge crowd of parishioners and guests.
It is the inside swinging doors at the entrance which have been consecrated. Two icons, copies of those painted by Sister Sophia of Saskatoon, were placed on the doors and blessed. One icon is of Jesus and the second is of Mary holding the baby Jesus.
Not everyone can visit Rome, so every Bishop designated a few places in his Eparchy (Diocese) as pilgrimage sites, said Bishop Bayda. The main services in the Canora church are held every Sunday at 11 a.m., and anyone can benefit by entering through the Holy Door and enjoying the special blessing in this Holy Year of Mercy.
Like previous jubilees, it's seen by the Church as a period for remission of sins and universal pardon, in this occasion focusing particularly on God's forgiveness and mercy, said Bayda. It is an extraordinary Jubilee because it had not been predetermined long before; usually ordinary jubilees take place every 25 years. The 2016 Jubilee was first announced by Pope Francis on March 13. It was declared by Pope Francis in his April 2015 papal bull of indiction, Misericordiae Vultus (Latin: "The Face of Mercy"). It is the 27th holy year in history, following the ordinary 2000 Jubilee during the John Paul II papacy. The opening day was also the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council.
In prior months it was stressed that the Pontiff wished the Jubilee to be celebrated not only in Rome but all around the world.
The permanent doors are not only closed between Holy Years, but sealed with a wall of brick and mortar. Within that wall, is placed a box that may contain various items, but most important of all - the key to unlock the Holy Door. In the days leading up to the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door by the Pope, workers break down the wall and remove the key box and give it to the ones assisting in the opening. The wall was broken down at St. Peter's earlier in preparation for the actual opening that took place on December 8.
“May we take full advantage of the Holy Year for our own personal renewal before God and the renewal of our parish and our whole Church,” said Bayda.
When Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in Rome, he said: “I am confident that the whole Church, which is in such need of mercy for we are sinners, will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time. Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Let us henceforth entrust this Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey: our penitential journey, our year-long journey with an open heart, to receive the indulgence of God, to receive the mercy of God.”
The church is now a place for pilgrimage, not just for all Catholics, but everyone, said Rev. Rac.
