14 banners point the way to the Portal of Mercy in Aachen Cathedral, designed by artist Vera Sous from Aachen together with young refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea and other crisis regions. The artworks, only unveiled shortly before the opening of the Portal, show spiritual works of mercy on one side and those of the body on the other, inspiring to actively practice mercy. “God shows himself through tangible deeds for the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, for prisoners as well as for the doubters, mourners, the ignoramus and wandering, these deeds reveal the true Christian”, emphasized Bündgens.

The 14 banners will adorn the vestibule of Aachen Cathedral for one year, opening up the room to pray and reflection on one’s own life until the end of the Extraordinary Holy Year on November 22nd 2016.

The begin of the Extraordinary Holy Year for Aachen Diocese, as proclaimed by Pope Francis, was celebrated by Suffragan Bishop Dr. Johannes Bündgens on Sunday December 13th. Bishop Bündgens opened the Portal of Mercy in Aachen Cathedral with the announcement: “This is the portal to the lord: through this portal we enter to attain mercy and forgiveness.”

In his sermon the suffragan bishop stated: “In our world dominated by a perverse logic of violence and a profit-orientated brand of capitalism with contempt for mankind, mercy is a strong challenge against the mainstream” and that Pope Francis had made mercy the key word of his pontificate. He continued to say:” Pope Francis’ intentions to reform the church and to guide the church on a new course 50 years after the council are serious, all subsumed under the word mercy”.

For more information on the Extraordinary Holy Year in Aachen Diocese, go to:
www.barmherzigkeit-bistum-aachen.de