Diocese of Mangalore inaugurates Jubilee 2025: A year of hope

Diocese of Mangalore inaugurates Jubilee 2025: A year of hope

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 29, 2024: The Diocese of Mangalore officially inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025, themed “A Year of Hope,” with a solemn ceremony at the Holy Rosary Cathedral, Mangalore, on Sunday. The event coincided with the Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

The global celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025, proclaimed by Pope Francis as the Year of Hope, began on Christmas Eve, with local Churches worldwide marking the occasion on December 29. Preparations for this spiritual milestone commenced in 2023.

 

The Diocese of Mangalore commenced the inaugural celebration at 7:30 a.m. at St. Anne Chapel. Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, led a solemn procession of the Holy Crucifix, accompanied by priests, religious leaders, and lay faithful. The procession entered through the Holy Doors of the Rosario Cathedral, where participants reverently honored the Holy Cross.

The bishop blessed the baptismal pond, renewed baptismal promises, and sprinkled holy water over the gathered faithful. This was followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m., the central event of the Jubilee inauguration, with multiple priests concelebrating the Mass.
Bishop’s Message of Hope

In his homily, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha reflected on the Jubilee Year’s theme, "Hope doesn’t disappoint us," emphasizing the transformative power of hope in a world often clouded by despair.

“In our daily prayers during the Act of Hope, we seek forgiveness and assurance of God’s unwavering love,” the bishop said. He urged the faithful to become “people of hope” by spreading the light of Christ.

“Hope begins with love. Only through love can we truly hope. Jesus taught us to pray for unseen blessings and gifted us the Holy Spirit, His mother as the Queen of Hope, and St. Joseph as a model of trust in God’s providence,” he added.

The bishop called on the faithful to use this Jubilee Year as an opportunity for renewal, striving to bring “heaven closer to earth” through love and compassion.

The event was attended by Rev. Msgr. Maxim Noronha, Vicar General; Rev. Fr. Naveen Pinto, Judicial Vicar; Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth, Parish Priest of Milagres and Dean of the Episcopal City Deanery; Rev. Fr. J. B. Crasta; Rev. Fr. Walter D’Souza; Rev. Fr. Anil Fernandes and other priests.

The Diocese of Mangalore begins the Jubilee Year 2025 with a call for spiritual renewal and a commitment to fostering hope and unity among the faithful.