Mumbai: The Roman Catholic Church inaugurated Jubilee 2025, a special year-long period for its members to renew their spiritual lives and reflect on their relationship with God.
The year, now observed once every 25 years, will also be a time to seek forgiveness for temporal sins, a term used by the church to explain punishments for sins that, if not repented for on earth, will be exacted in full in purgatory.
Churches will have spiritual programmes during the year, with shrines designated as pilgrim centres in each diocese for those who cannot travel to St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Last week, Pope Francis, the head of the 1.2 billion-strong church, announced ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ as the motto of the year. On Sunday, Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, inaugurated the year with a special mass at the Holy Name Cathedral, Colaba.
The celebration concluded with the blessing of four Jubilee crosses, which will journey to the designated pilgrimage churches in and around Mumbai: the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Colaba; the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (Mount Mary), Bandra; Mother Velankanni Church in Uttan; and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Karjat. The Mumbai archdiocese has around five lakh members.
In his homily, Cardinal Gracias reflected on the world’s suffering and 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.”
Bishop Savio Fernandes, who is in charge of the Jubilee Year in Mumbai, said in a message that the period is a time to gain indulgences aimed at remitting temporal punishment. “Thus providing all of us an opportunity for spiritual purification and holistic growth,” he added.
Every month of the year will be dedicated to a cause, with a senior member of the clergy coordinating the programmes. January will be dedicated to scriptures, February for the sick, homebound, and senior citizens. March will be dedicated to migrants and women’s issues.
In a statement, Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay and the coordinator for the month of June when the theme is ‘communication’ said the concept of a Jubilee Year is rooted in biblical tradition and the 50th such year.
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 statement said.
Church members said they are looking forward to the year. “I will get an opportunity to get more involved in church activities. It is like updating your Christian values,” said Bonny Pereira, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Malad.
