Our Holy Father Pope Francis recently appointed our brother Father Martin I. Esguerra, M.Id as a “Missionary of Mercy.” Father Martin is the English-language Official of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, the Dicastery entrusted with the promotion of the Apostolate of Mercy world-wide for the whole Church.
During the extra-ordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (2015-2016) the Holy Father nominated priests throughout the world as “missionaries of mercy” giving them the special commission to promote our trust and faith in the Father’s Mercy. He also empowered these priests granting them faculties to absolve certain sins usually reserved to the Apostolic See (meaning only the Holy Father can absolve).
Pope Francis wished to prolong this ministry for the good of the Church even after the Jubilee Year of Mercy ended. As a result, many dioceses have one or two priests nominated as “missionaries of mercy” who make themselves available for missions, and especially for the celebration of God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
While all the priests of the Dicastery are named as such, prayers are requested for Father Martin, knowing that whenever one promotes the infinite mercy of God, there are forces that try to prevent it. This new mission requires humility, perseverance and fidelity to the Holy Trinity and to the wishes of the Holy Father and your prayers will certainly sustain him.
(Martin celebrating Mass in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica)
