In a world in need of forgiveness, the Missionaries of Mercy, established by Pope Francis in 2015, celebrated their Jubilee by offering confessions in numerous languages during the 24 Hours for the Lord Initiative at the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle. The Missionaries of Mercy have been assigned a special role by the Holy Father to be instruments of forgiveness and hold a special authority to absolve sins that are reserved only to the Holy See.
Fr. Jay Nuthulapati, a Missionary of Mercy from Sacred Heart Church, Whiting, Indiana, told EWTN, “Pope Francis has seen the importance of reconciliation to God and to us human beings. And he gave us this privilege. Not only the privilege, it is the spiritual responsibility that we, the Missionaries of Mercy, we are about 1200, the Missionaries of Mercy all over the world.”
Their mandate focuses on being good confessors as well as good preachers.
“When we see them, they cry tears. They simply roll from their hearts. There’s a great joy. There is a peace after giving absolution, as a priest myself, it is my greater responsibility to evangelize the importance of reconciliation,” Fr. Jay noted.
Confessions were accompanied by an hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which was accompanied by prayers and hymns.
Pilgrims from London were present.
Mr. Koposko shared, “I believe confession and adoration are very important for everyone to continue to find ways to connect with God and once you’re doing that whether it’s daily, weekly, it still gives you the opportunity to speak to God when you can.”
24 Hours for the Lord unites the Sacrament of the Eucharist with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Simply being present in a moment like this can be a powerful experience.
Another pilgrim from Valencia, Spain, Belén Ramos Rubescano shared, “I entered this time of adoration with sadness, but I was fortunate to be able to go to confession, to embrace the Lord again, and He restored my joy. Because I was created for this, and many times I realize that I am not being who I should be—because I am sad, because I am far from the Lord, because I sin. And seeing that the Lord looks upon me with mercy is such a great gift.”
The Missionaries of Mercy remind us of God’s compassion, and they continue to make a profound impact through their confessional outreach.
Adapted by Jacob Stein.
