Small Group Guide for Meditations on Mercy

Small group sessions are a great way to explore the themes for the Jubilee of Mercy.  CNS Photo/Karen Callaway, New World Publications.This is a resource that can be used with small groups during the Jubilee of Mercy to foster a greater awareness of God's call to act with mercy in our lives. These monthly reflections are based on scripture passages and Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee of Mercy. Misericordiae Vultus is the document that accompanied the announcement of the Jubilee year and lays out aspects and themes of the year that are important. This resource contains a guide for twelve sessions, each lasting approximately one hour, throughout the Jubilee of Mercy (December 8, 2015-November 20, 2016).

Overview

  • There are twelve sessions, one per month, from December 2015-November 2016.
  • Each session is approximately one hour.
  • This guide provides a basic structure of each session, including opening and closing prayers, references to Scripture and passages in Misericordiae Vultus, reflections for each month based on various themes of mercy, discussion questions for reflection, and the opportunity to put the works of mercy in action in your local community.

For the  Facilitator - Setup and Resources

Setup

  • No particular set up is required. While it is possible to incorporate multimedia resources into these sessions, it is not necessary.

Required materials for each session

  • Copies of Misericordiae Vultus for the participants and facilitator
  • A Bible-only one Bible is necessary, but if the participants would like to, they may bring their own as well
  • Copies of the Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee of Mercy

Additional materials that might be useful resources for your group

  • The USCCB's Mercy in Motion page
  • Your diocesan website for the Jubilee of Mercy
  • The pontifical website for the Jubilee of Mercy