The Year of Mercy takes place after the recent Franciscan Year of 2014Pope Francis has proclaimed an extraordinary Jubilee, through the papal bull called “Mercy Vultus” having as its fundamental axis the mercy of God. We are, therefore, before a Holy Year of Mercy. Its official beginning will be on December 8 of the current year, the day of the Immaculate Conception and will end on November 20, 2016, solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.
This Jubilee will begin with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica, in the city of Rome, and the following Sunday the rest of the Holy Doors will be opened in all the Churches of the World, including the Shrines.
The Holy Door only opens during Holy Years, remaining closed the rest of the time, so this opening, in the Year of Mercy, is of special interest to all those who plan to take a route on the Camino, ending in Santiago de Compostela; or they plan to visit the city.
During the time that the Holy Door remains open, a “path to the salvation of the faithful” is symbolically offered; and for non-believers the opportunity to cross through doors of great historical tradition.
The roots of the Jubilee start from the religion of Judaism. Thanks to the Jubilee figure all the people of Israel would be in the same conditions of equality, regardless of their current situation. It would be a new beginning.
The tradition of the Holy Year began in 1300 with Pope Boniface VIII, taking place once in each century.
On the occasion of this extraordinary opening of the Holy Door in the Cathedral of Santiago, it will be possible to obtain the Jubilee, before the Holy Year 2021, which would be the next Holy Year.
And remember Pilgrim: The important thing is not the goal, but the Way itself!
Total pilgrims who came to the Cathedral of Santiago: 278.041
El French Way with 60% of the total, it is the longest route of all the Caminos de Santiago. and within this path do the Camino de Santiago from Sarria was the majority option.
It follows an emerging path and with great appeal as is the Portuguese Way with 18%.
