Pilgrims of Hope: Archdiocese of Bombay Opens the Jubilee Year 2025

Bombay, December 31, 2024: On December 29, 2024, the Archdiocese of Bombay inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025 with a solemn ceremony marking the start of a year-long spiritual journey centered on hope, renewal, and grace. The Jubilee Year, deeply rooted in biblical tradition, commemorates the 50th year as a sacred time of reflection and transformation. This year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” focuses on salvation through Jesus Christ and highlights hope as an essential element of faith. The Archdiocese opened the year with a service on the Feast of the Holy Family, invoking God’s blessings as they embarked on this pilgrimage of faith.

The opening ceremony was structured in three key stages. The first, La Collectio, gathered the faithful at the Oratory of the Holy Name School for reflection and a collective pledge to be ambassadors of hope. Following this, a symbolic pilgrimage took place, with a procession from the Oratory to the Cathedral of the Holy Name, emphasizing the spiritual journey of perseverance and faith. At the Cathedral, His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias led the veneration of the Cross, before blessing the water at the Baptismal Font, renewing the baptismal promises of the faithful.

In his homily, Cardinal Gracias spoke of the world’s suffering but urged the congregation to remain steadfast in hope, quoting Pope Francis, “Hope is not dead; hope is alive and embraces our lives forever.” He called for a renewed commitment to faith, love, and peace, urging the faithful to confront injustice with transformative action. The Eucharistic celebration concluded with the blessing of four Jubilee crosses, which will be sent to pilgrimage churches across the Archdiocese, including the Cathedral of the Holy Name, the Basilica of Mount Mary, Mother Velankanni Church, and Our Lady of Fatima Church.

The Jubilee Year 2025 invites the faithful to embrace a time of renewal, spiritual reflection, and active commitment to building a world of peace and justice. With this launch, the Archdiocese of Bombay sets the tone for a year of hope, transformation, and grace.

By Fr. Nigel Barrett