Indian Diocesan Priests Join the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope in Rome

Vatican, 2nd July 2025: As part of the 2025 Great Jubilee Year, the Universal Church marked a historic gathering of priests from around the world—pilgrims of hope united in faith and mission. The CCBI Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy and Religious (VSCR), together with the Conference of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI), organized a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to Rome for diocesan priests. A total of 60 priests from 11 dioceses across India took part in this spiritually enriching experience.

The Jubilee of Priests officially began on June 23, with a series of events focused on priesthood and consecrated life. The day featured a community rosary and a musical evening at the Basilica of St. Paul, led by the choir of the Diocese of Rome, followed by a pilgrimage through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.

On June 24, Holy Masses were celebrated in various languages at churches throughout Rome, presided over by Cardinals. A key moment of the pilgrimage was the address by Pope Leo XIV on June 26 at the Auditorium of the Conciliazione, where he shared three profound reflections on priestly formation:

1. Holy Father emphasized that formation is a journey of relationships. It is not merely about developing abilities, but about deepening one's relationship with God and others. Priests, he said, must seek to know God more intimately rather than only acquiring intellectual knowledge.

2. Pope highlighted fraternity as an essential dimension of priestly life. He urged priests and seminarians to live not as isolated individuals or competitors, but as true brothers. Quoting a powerful question, the Pope asked, “If there is no genuine and heartfelt fraternity among us, how can we, as ministers, build vibrant communities?”

3. Pope also exhorted that priestly formation must mould individuals who can love, listen, pray, and serve together. Formation, he said, should not be a solitary task but a communal journey. Seminaries must engage openly with the realities and challenges facing vocations and priestly ministry today. He affirmed that many young people are still responding to God’s call with generosity and urged priests not to hesitate in offering bold and liberating guidance to help them discern their vocations.

The pilgrimage culminated with the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Peter’s Basilica, where thousands of priests concelebrated the Holy Eucharist with Pope Leo XIV—a deeply moving and unforgettable moment of global fraternity. More than 6,000 priests from across the world participated in this international gathering, making it a unique milestone in the life and mission of the priesthood.

Following the Rome celebrations, the Indian clergy extended their pilgrimage to Assisi, Padua, and other significant spiritual sites in Italy, drawing further inspiration from the lives of great saints and the heritage of the Church.

Fr. Paul Sunny (Chaplin of Indian Latin Catholic Community in Rome)