Opening the Jubilee Year The concept of a Jubilee Year, rooted in biblical tradition, marks the 50th year as a sacred time of renewal, hope, and grace. Referenced in Isaiah as “the year of the Lord’s favour” and proclaimed by Jesus in Luke 4:19, the Jubilee invites reflection on the past, a renewed embrace of the present, and hope for the future.
The Jubilee Year offers a unique opportunity for the faithful to renew their relationship with God, seek forgiveness, and deepen their commitment to Christian living. The theme for the Jubilee Year 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope,” highlights hope as an essential element of faith, focusing on salvation through Jesus Christ. Trusting in God’s steadfast love, the Archdiocese of Bombay inaugurated the Jubilee Year on the Feast of the Holy Family, seeking God’s blessings as they embarked on this spiritual journey.
A Threefold Celebration The Jubilee inauguration unfolded in three significant stages:
The Gathering (La Collectio): The faithful convened at the Oratory of the Holy Name School to reflect on the Jubilee theme and pledge to become ambassadors of hope. This moment of introspection set the tone for the year ahead.
The Pilgrimage: A symbolic procession from the Oratory to the Cathedral of the Holy Name emphasized the spiritual journey of hope and perseverance. The Jubilee logo, featuring the Cross of Christ as a symbol of unshakable hope, served as a poignant reminder of God’s merciful love amid life’s uncertainties.
Opening the Cathedral Doors: At the Cathedral’s principal doors, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias led the veneration of the Cross, followed by a procession to the Baptismal Font. There, he blessed the water, sprinkling the faithful as a sign of renewed baptismal promises.
A Call to Renewed Hope In his homily, Cardinal Gracias reflected on the world’s suffering but urged the faithful to remain steadfast in hope, for hope does not disappoint. Quoting Pope Francis, he reminded the congregation, “Hope is not dead; hope is alive and embraces our lives forever.” The Cardinal called for courage to confront injustice and embrace transformative action rooted in faith, love, and a vision of peace.
Blessing the Jubilee Crosses The Eucharistic celebration concluded with the blessing of four Jubilee crosses, which will journey to designated pilgrimage churches: the Cathedral of the Holy Name, the Basilica of Mount Mary in Bandra, Mother Velankanni Church in Uttan, and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Karjat.
A Year of Renewal The Jubilee Year invites the faithful to spiritual renewal and to actively work toward building a world of peace and justice. United in prayer and action, the Archdiocese envisions this holy year as a time of hope, transformation, and grace.