Sterling Heights — The words from Auxiliary Bishop Arturo Cepeda summed up the 19th annual Lenten Symposium hosted by Holy Trinity Apostolate on March 12 at SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Sterling Heights: “Mercy is God, and we proclaim it with joy.”

During the daylong conference, local and national speakers discussed the meaning of God’s mercy, citing Scripture and the experiences of saints and holy people.

“What is mercy for you?” Bishop Cepeda asked. “Many students are speechless when asked this question. My take, mercy is the spiritual essence of God. In order to be witnesses to His Word, the Word of God, we must show one another mercy, and likewise be willing to receive mercy.”

The conference began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Cepeda and featured Eucharistic adoration throughout the day in SS. Cyril and Methodius’ chapel.

Fr. Timothy Gallager, OMV, of Denver, spoke about the life and times of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and how his autobiography depicted his path toward mercy after years of sin and worldly pursuits.

“Anecdotes of Ignatius’ life shows he committed crimes, broke most of the commandments, even petitioned the king of Spain to always carry a sword and have guards, fearing he could be killed by a rival,” Fr. Gallager said. “This occurred until he was 30, when the French laid siege to a castle he was defending. He broke all his bones, but they weren’t properly aligned, so they had to re-break them so they could heal properly.”

Fr. Gallager detailed St. Ignatius’ spiritual transformation after he was forced to remain in bed while his leg healed.

“Dwelling for a long time, Ignatius thought about what he desired,” Fr. Gallager said. “When he thought of things of the world, he took delight, but lost heart. Then, when he thought about the spiritual, he was content at heart.”

The conference featured stories of everyday saints showing mercy to their fellow men. Sr. Yvonne Mary Loucks, RSM, of the Sisters of Mercy in Alma, related the story of three sons who asked for mercy to be shown to two young men who brutally murdered their mother.

“Each of her sons held significant positions in the community, and had the lives of these two boys in their hands,” Sr. Loucks said. “The anguish of the sons was extreme, but they realized, their mother wouldn’t want these boys tried as adults, that she’d want rehabilitation. So these three men, who lost their mother, realized that these sons also lost their mothers, and that it was their duty to exercise mercy.”

Sr. Loucks said the daily struggle to show mercy to others as God shows mercy is what we’re called to do.

“We’ve all been hurt at times. I know places where I could be compassionate, but it can be hard,” Sr. Loucks said.

The speakers’ message reinforced Pope Francis’ call to the Church to make this year a Year of Mercy, highlighting the liberation mercy can brings, particularly through the sacrament of reconciliation.

“People out there aren’t experiencing mercy, love and forgiveness, and we’re certainly not getting it from society,” said Fr. Joe Horn, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Memphis, who related the story of his first confession when he was 12, which he described as a “horrible experience” that left him in tears.

“When I was young, I was so worried about ‘doing it right,’ that I was so scared in the confessional. It was dark and wet for some reason, and I just ran out, eyes balling,” Fr. Horn said. “So I didn’t go to confession for 12 years; until I asked a priest, ‘Father, I need to confess.’ He said yes, pulled me behind a curtain and told me to start, right then and there. My eyes were horrified, but right there, face to face, I saw mercy in his eyes.

“It was just amazing, staring into his face; I had an encounter with mercy.”