Holy Year of Mercy - Meditations

Post date: Dec 31, 2015 1:30:25 PM

Dear friends,

The ICCS President and Chairman requested a special spiritual event to mark the Jubilee ‘Holy Year of Mercy’ announced by Pope Francis. This Event will be documented throughout the year on the ICCS web-site and the Facebook page. Fifteen friends of the ICCS from the four regions - Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe/Mediterranean – will give suggestions for meditation.

Scouts are all invited to send whatever they do in this Jubilee Year of Mercy to ICCS and their contributions will be posted on the ICCS web site as well. Articles with photos are welcomed. This will be a separate topic on the website under the title: Messenger of Peace/ Year of Mercy. We also suggest to post the same contribution on the WOSM Messenger of Peace site.

Please find down below the three versions (English, French and Spanish) of the first contribution prepared by the ICCS Chaplain, Fr. Jacques Gagey, already published on our web-site for the Beginning of the Holy Year on the 08th December 2015.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chers amis,

Le Présidents de la CICS ont demandé un événement spirituel spéciale pour marquer le Jubilé de l'Année Sainte de la Miséricorde »annoncé par le Pape François. Cet événement sera documenté toute l'année sur le site web et la page Facebook de la CICS. Quinze amis de la CICS provenant des quatre régions - Afrique, Amériques, Asie et Europe / Méditerranée - vont donner des suggestions pour la méditation.

S'il vous plaît trouver sous les trois versions (anglais, français et espagnol) de la première contribution préparés par l’Aumônier CICS, le P. Jacques Gagey, déjà publié sur notre site web pour le début de l'Année Sainte le 08 Décembre à 2015.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Queridos amigos,

Los Presidentes de la CICS solicitaron un evento espiritual especial para conmemorar el Jubileo 'Año Santo de la Misericordia' anunciado por el Papa Francisco. Este evento será documentado durante todo el año en la página web y en la página de Facebook de la CICS. Quince amigos de la CICSS de las cuatro regiones - África, América, Asia, y Europa / Mediterráneo - darán sugerencias para la meditación.

Por favor encuentre abajo las tres versiones (Inglés, Español y Francés) de la primera contribución preparado por el Consiliario CICS, el P. Jacques Gagey, ya publicado en nuestra página web para el comienzo del Año Santo en el 08 de diciembre 2015.

“Peace is a craft, a handwork, it is made with the hands and made with one’s life.”

Scouts, listen to these words spoken by the Pope to young people.

Both Catholics and Muslims were waiting for him when he left the cathedral in Bangui (Central African Republic) where he had just opened the Holy Door to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy which begins today, December 8th.

Afterwards he went to meet Muslims in the PK5 neighbourhood of Bangui which has been the scene of violent confrontations. He went into the mosque before visiting displaced Muslims  -and Catholics- in a surrounding refugee camp. The Imam of the mosque sat beside him in the Popemobile.

“Peace is a craft, a handiwork, it is made with the hands.” This is the essence of mercy. “It is made with one’s life.” This is almost a promise, a commitment. Working for peace is for today; it is for tomorrow; and it will continue until the day I die.

There were no signs of violence during the Pope’s visit, no gunshots heard in the city. This was impossible in any case as the people and the entire country were a fortification keeping the Pope from harm, keeping him in peace.

Today marks the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. It is Pope Francis’ initiative. It is an “extraordinary Jubilee”, a unique invitation. Scouts, seize this invitation! Set out on your journey, hand in hand with the Pope. This is what you can do: 1. Walk with your scout group through the Holy Door which opened today in your country. 2. As you walk through this Door, listen carefully to the words of mercy which you will hear. 3. Then ask a chaplain for forgiveness as you will need this to find your strength. 4. Then, renew your promise with your scout group. Repeat what the Pope said to the young people of Bangui with your friends: “Peace is a craft, a handiwork, it is made with the hands and made with one’s life”. Think about what this means to you personally. 5. Then, decide with your group what you would like to do this year to help our human family. Decide to do something this year for the human family with your fellow scouts. Go all the way, follow through your idea right to the end. All through the year and on religious holidays, you will find on the ICCS website and the ICCS Facebook page a meditation written by a chaplain to help you on your way.

Mary, Queen of the scouts, protected from sin from your birth to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, the merciful one, grant your scouts mercy.

Father Jacques Gagey

Chaplain, ICCS