By Rachel Curry and Marco Ceccarelli
With mercy enshrined in its motto and mission, the Redemptorist Monastery could not be a more fitting location for the opening of a Holy Door during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The North Perth Monastery is one of eight Archdiocese of Perth locations chosen as destinations of pilgrimage during the Holy Year commenced on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December 2015.
Pope Francis announced the Holy Year as a way to place God’s mercy at the centre of the Church’s mission, a concept which resonates particularly strongly with Redemptorists.
The Redemptorist motto comes from Psalm 139, which states “with the Lord, there is mercy and the fullness of redemption”.
A community of equality, diversity and inclusion, the Redemptorists take inspiration from St Alphonsus, who sought out the poor and most abandoned of his time to tell them the Good News.
Rector Father John Hodgson CSsR said the North Perth Monastery had been a centre of mercy since it opened its doors more than 113 years ago.
They aim to offer a sacred place for people to come and find time to be quiet, become attentive to their needs and hear the Lord speaking to them in prayer.
“Many will come anonymously to receive the grace of sacramental confession. Some will come to be nourished by the Eucharist and a thoughtful sermon; others will come and place their prayers for Mary’s intercession for their family or a special request,” Fr Hodgson said.
“Some will ring the front door and find someone from whom to ask for advice, direction, a cup of coffee and sandwiches or some help from Vinnies.”
Walking through a Holy Door is one of the conditions required to receive a plenary indulgence during the Holy Year, as stated in Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction on the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
The other conditions are: the Sacrament of Reconciliation; celebration of the Eucharist, which includes the Profession of Faith; prayers for the Holy Father; prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father; and a reflection on Mercy.
However, Fr Hodgson discouraged people from coming to the Monastery just to receive an indulgence, instead encouraging them to seek a sacred encounter with the “face of our merciful God”.
He said mercy was not unique to Redemptorists, but something which was at the heart of the Church.
“The Redemptorists are glad to have this year-long focus on something so fundamental to all of human life,” he said.
“May the face of God, who is forever kind and merciful, slow to anger and rich in compassion, be visible everywhere and open the doors of our heart to a more authentic living.”
The Monastery is located at 190 Vincent Street, North Perth.