PORTLAND — Maine Catholics are invited to experience God’s love, mercy and forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation from Monday, Dec. 14, to Friday, Dec. 18.

“The Light is On and the Door of Mercy is Open for You” represents multiple opportunities for confession being offered by parishes throughout the diocese. During this initiative, Bishop Robert Deeley has announced that each parish will offer at least three opportunities for confessions between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. during the week.

To search by county for a church offering the program, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/lightison. To search by parish, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/light-is-on-parishes.

The purpose of the Jubilee Year of Mercy (Dec. 8, 2015, through Nov. 20, 2016) is to help all believers have a genuine experience of God’s mercy, both received and given. Receiving mercy is encountered through the Sacrament of Reconciliation in which Jesus invites believers to look at their lives, confess what needs to be confessed, and receive the gift of forgiveness, mindful of God’s abundant love for us.

People who have been away from the sacrament may worry that they no longer know how to go to confession. In that case, they should tell the priest that it has been a while since they have received the sacrament and ask for help to make a good confession. The priest will guide them through the ritual.