Mayfieldʹs Holy Door
ALPHA & OMEGA
ICHTHUS
Alpha and Omega, alpha (α or Α) and omega (ω or Ω), are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet and are an appellation of Christ or of God in the Book of Revelation. These couple of letters are used as Christian symbols, and are often combined with the Cross, Chi‐rho, or other Christian symbols.
Ichthus (ikh‐thoos) or ichthys is the Greek word simply meaning “fish”. The Greek spelling for ichthus is ‐‐ Iota, Chi, Theta, Upsilon, and Sigma. The English translation is IXOYE. The five Greek letters stand for the words meaning, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.”
CHI RHO
The Chi Rho is one of the earliest cruciform symbols used by Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two letters of the word "Christ" in Greek, chi = ch and rho = r. Although not technically a cross, the Chi Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus as well as symbolizing his status as the Christ.
TAU CROSS
Pope Francis has inaugurated this Year of Mercy in
order to highlight the vital and
essential message and mission of the Church; that the just and merciful love of God, infinitely greater than human sin, is available to all who seek it. The Holy Father wants the whole world to hear this message: “With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.”
He wants us all to experience afresh the power of forgiveness, and to learn how to show mercy with a greater generosity.
“Freely have you received, then freely give.” “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.”
The Pope has granted a special Plenary Indulgence, seeking to make that indulgence as widely available as possible:
“I wish that the Jubilee Indulgence may reach each one as a genuine experience of Godʹs mercy, which comes to meet each person in the Face of the Father who welcomes and forgives, forgetting completely the sin committed”.
In the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, a Holy Door is to be opened in every cathedral around the world, as well as in particular shrines. The chapel of Mayfield School, which is home to the tomb of the Venerable Servant of God, Cornelia Connelly, is one of four churches designated by Bishop Richard, as a special place of pilgrimage for the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. What does this mean? “The Holy Door has become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons and instils hope.”
The Old Cornelian SUMMER 2016
The ancient tradition of passing through the Holy Door is a symbolic act by pilgrims and dates back many centuries. The symbolism evokes the passage from sin to grace and reminds us that Jesus is ‘the door’. As we cross the threshold we embrace a new life of grace and hope and reconciliation.
The Door was opened at a Mass by Right Reverend Bishop Richard Moth on 22nd January this year, once the door was opened the whole school followed making their own pilgrimage.
Several events have and are taking place over the year to honour the Holy Year. Four Catholic primary schools from the Diocese have made a retreat day hosted by the Chaplaincy. On the 15th October Bishop Richard will return to host the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Door and on the 20th November the Year of Mercy will conclude with a special Mass to mark the closing of the Holy Door.
Each Holy Door around the world was to be decorated with a garland of flowers and Christological Symbols marking it with reverence. The garland was donated by current parent Mr Vereker
and the symbols made by Miss Jackson, teacher of I.T and Senior Tutor for
Year 11, our thanks go to them both.
Tau cross. After his commission at the foot of the San Damiano Cross, Saint Francis chose a more ancient symbol of redemption as his standard: the Tau cross. In commenting on the scriptures of Israel, the early Christian writers used its Greek translation, the Septuagint, in which the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the tau, was transcribed as a “T” in Greek. Prefigured in the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, then, the stylized Tau cross came to represent the means by which Christ reversed the disobedience of the old Adam and became our Saviour as the “New Adam.”
Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee
Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!”
You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.
You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.
Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.
We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. OC
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