Rourkela Diocese Inaugurates Jubilee Year 2025 with Grand Ceremony

Rourkela, Odisha, February 1, 2025 – The Diocese of Rourkela inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025 on December 29, 2024, with a grand ceremony at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamirpur. The event was presided over by Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur and was attended by priests, religious sisters, altar servers, and lay faithful from the diocese. The solemn celebration featured a procession, the blessing of the Jubilee Cross, the unfurling of the Jubilee flag, and a Eucharistic celebration marking the official commencement of the Jubilee Year.

The event began with a procession from the Sacred Heart Cathedral to the open ground outside where a stage was erected for the inauguration ceremony. The procession was led by Bishop Kujur, accompanied by Fr. Bernard Lakra, Vicar General of the diocese, Fr. Petrus Barwa, Chancellor, and Cathedral Parish Priest Kumar Toppo, along with other clergy.

Fr. Pradip Kumar Kujur, coordinator of the Jubilee Committee, delivered the opening address, emphasizing the significance of the Jubilee Year. Bishop Kujur then conducted the rite of baptism where he blessed water. This Holy Water was then sprinkled over the gathering by him and other priests. Following this, the bishop formally declared the Jubilee Year open.

The Jubilee Cross was then carried in a solemn procession into the cathedral, with altar servers carrying Jubilee flags and candles and singing the Litany of Saints. The gathering entered the cathedral, where the bishop presented the Jubilee Cross to the gathering for veneration. He then displayed the Holy Book, which was adorned with incense after being venerated by the faithful. Fr. Bernard Lakra then read selected passages from the Papal Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year 2025.

As part of the inauguration, the Jubilee flag was unfurled. The celebration continued with a solemn Eucharistic Mass, presided over by Bishop Kujur. In his homily, the bishop reflected on the Feast of the Holy Family, celebrated on the same day. He urged the faithful gathered to remain hopeful amidst all the challenges of life, just like the Holy Family did.

Following the Mass, Fr. Vijay Kumar Kujur gave the vote of thanks. Bishop Kujur then released a liturgical guideline book for the Jubilee Year, specifically prepared for the Rourkela Diocese, and distributed copies to priests and religious sisters.

The event concluded with a final blessing imparted by the bishop, marking the official beginning of the Jubilee Year celebrations in the Diocese of Rourkela.

By Steve Antao