The Jubilee of the Missionaries of Mercy, held from March 28 to 30, 2025, in Rome, brought together over 500 priests from around the world, including two priests from the archdiocese, Monsignor Roger Landry, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), and Father Augustine Deji Dada of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Elmsford, New York. This special event, part of the larger 2025 Jubilee of Hope, highlighted the unique role of these priests, commissioned as Missionaries of Mercy, who are mandated to be visible signs of God’s mercy.

The Missionaries’ role

Pope Francis instituted the Missionaries of Mercy during the 2016 Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, granting them special faculties to absolve even sins reserved to the Holy See. Today, there are over 1,258 Missionaries of Mercy worldwide, embodying the Church’s maternal care for the faithful.

The Jubilee program

The event began on March 28 with a prayer in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall, followed by training sessions focused on “Forgiveness as a Source of Hope.” On March 29, participants embarked on a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, culminating in a prayer for the wellbeing of the Holy Father.

Pope Francis’ message

Though unable to attend due to health reasons, Pope Francis sent a written message emphasizing the importance of mercy in the Church’s mission. He reminded the Missionaries that their ministry is a beacon of hope, urging them to continue their work with compassion and dedication.

The Jubilee of the Missionaries of Mercy underscored the Church’s commitment to mercy, forgiveness, and hope, inspiring priests and laity alike to carry this message into their communities. The Missionaries of Mercy in the United States can be reached through their website at missionariesofmercyUSA.org.