Anybody entering or leaving Abingdon from the Vineyard will have seen a banner outside Our Lady and St Edmund Church, for the Year of Mercy.

Yesterday a man was adding new flowers to the floral arch over the door. He told me that the church had been selected as a place of pilgrimage for the year of Mercy.

Pope Francis opened a similar door at the Vatican at the start of the Holy Year in December 2015. And said a similar door may be opened at any shrine frequented by large groups of pilgrims.

Accordingly, the Bishop or Portsmouth opened a Door of Mercy at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth. A Door of Mercy was also opened at Our Lady & St Edmund of Abingdon Church. Throughout the year, the faithful are encouraged to go on pilgrimage to either or both churches.