About 5000 Catholics gathered in Labasa Town, northern Fiji, on Sunday to close the season of the Year of Mercy.
At the closing mass held at Holy Family Primary School parishioners were reminded about the importance of looking out for those in need in their communities.
Parishioners traveled from seven parishes in the North, including Taveuni and Bua.
Last Sunday, in the Western Division, Catholics gathered in Lautoka. The celebration began with a Eucharistic procession from Shirley Park to the Church.
Then there was a open-air mass in the grounds of St Thomas Primary School.
Father Veremo Doverua was the presiding celebrant. All the priests in the division concelebrated.
Members of the Lautoka parish provided a meal for those from the visiting parishes. Each each community had been allotted a different task for preparing the food.
The Year of Mercy began when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica on December 8 last year.
Holy doors where opened in Cathedrals and designated churches throughout the world.
In Fiji, Archbishop Peter Chong opened the doors of mercy of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva on the eve of the third Sunday of Advent.
Three basilicas in Rome – St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major – were closed during special Masses held Nov. 13.
The Holy Doors at churches and basilicas around the world are also closing the same day.
The year will officially end on Nov. 20, the Solemnity of Christ the King, when Pope Francis will close the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. It was opened on Dec. 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
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