Pope Francis says "Lent of the Holy Year 2025: a time of conversion, penance and acceptance of God's mercy."
Message of the Holy Father to the participants in the XXXV Course on the Internal Forum organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, 03.27.2025
In a message on Thursday, 27 March, Pope Francis reflected on the privileged role of confessors, especially during the 2025 Holy Year. His words of encouragement were addressed to participants of the 35th Course on the Internal Forum, organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary. The event, held from March 24-28, provides ongoing formation for confessors in light of the importance of their sacramental ministry.
FULL TEXT Message of the Holy Father Francis to the participants in the XXXV Course on the Internal Forum organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary (March 24-28, 2025):
Message of the Holy Father
Dear brothers!
I greet all of you who are participating in the XXXV Course on the Internal Forum, organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, and I thank the Major Penitentiary, the Regent, the Prelates, the Officials and the Staff of the Penitentiary, as well as the Colleges of ordinary and extraordinary Penitentiaries of the Papal Basilicas. The course takes place during Lent of the Holy Year 2025: a time of conversion, penance and acceptance of God's mercy.
Celebrating Mercy, especially with the pilgrims of the Jubilee, is a privilege: God has made us ministers of Mercy by his grace, a gift that we welcome because we were, and are, the first object of his forgiveness.
Dear brothers, I urge you to be men of prayer, because prayer is the root of your ministerial action, with which you prolong the work of Jesus, who still and always repeats: "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (Jn 8:11).
May this liberating word of the Lord resound throughout the Church in the Jubilee Year, for the renewal of hearts, which flows from reconciliation with God and opens to new fraternal relationships. Even peace, so desired, is born from Mercy, like the hope that does not disappoint.
Thank you for your indispensable sacramental ministry! May Our Lady keep you in the love and patience of Christ. I bless you from my heart, and I ask you please to pray for me.
From the Vatican, March 27, 2025
FRANCIS
FULL TEXT Message of the Holy Father Francis to the participants in the XXXV Course on the Internal Forum organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary (March 24-28, 2025):
Message of the Holy Father
Dear brothers!
I greet all of you who are participating in the XXXV Course on the Internal Forum, organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, and I thank the Major Penitentiary, the Regent, the Prelates, the Officials and the Staff of the Penitentiary, as well as the Colleges of ordinary and extraordinary Penitentiaries of the Papal Basilicas. The course takes place during Lent of the Holy Year 2025: a time of conversion, penance and acceptance of God's mercy.
Celebrating Mercy, especially with the pilgrims of the Jubilee, is a privilege: God has made us ministers of Mercy by his grace, a gift that we welcome because we were, and are, the first object of his forgiveness.
Dear brothers, I urge you to be men of prayer, because prayer is the root of your ministerial action, with which you prolong the work of Jesus, who still and always repeats: "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (Jn 8:11).
May this liberating word of the Lord resound throughout the Church in the Jubilee Year, for the renewal of hearts, which flows from reconciliation with God and opens to new fraternal relationships. Even peace, so desired, is born from Mercy, like the hope that does not disappoint.
Thank you for your indispensable sacramental ministry! May Our Lady keep you in the love and patience of Christ. I bless you from my heart, and I ask you please to pray for me.
From the Vatican, March 27, 2025
FRANCIS
Source: Vatican.va
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