Pilgrims of Hope: Archdiocese of Cebu to launch Jubilee 2025 in four major Churches

On December 29, 2024, the Archdiocese of Cebu will mark the grand launch of Jubilee 2025 with simultaneous celebrations in four major churches, setting the stage for a year-long series of spiritual and pastoral activities described as “a symphony of prayer.”

During a press conference held on December 10, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, through Fr. Glenn Therese Guanzon, chairman of the archdiocesan Commission on Worship, announced the venues for the opening festivities: the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City, the Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar City, the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Danao City, and the Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Bantayan Island.

The celebrations will commence with a grand procession in each location, culminating in the opening Mass. Archbishop Jose Palma will preside over the Mass in Cebu City, with Auxiliary Bishops Ruben Labajo and Midyphil Billones leading in Carcar and Danao, respectively, and Vicar General Monsignor Vicente Rey Penagunda presiding in Bantayan.

In his opening remarks, Archbishop Palma traced the origins of the Jubilee Year back to the 13th century, drawing parallels to its biblical roots.

For the ancient Jews, the Jubilee was a year of rest, renewal, and liberation—a time for farmers to leave their fields fallow, for debts to be forgiven, and for freedom to be proclaimed among God’s people.

“It signified the status of God’s children, reminding us that no one is a slave,” Palma explained.

For the modern age, Jubilee 2025 holds similar themes of grace and renewal. “This is a year of grace and favor,” Palma said, “a time to recover and rejoice in our dignity and freedom as children of God. We call it the year of renewal because we are called to embrace God’s love, which sustains us through all our shortcomings.”

Reflecting on the Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” Palma emphasized the importance of resilience and faith in the aftermath of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and other calamities. “We should look forward to better years ahead because, as we profess, we do not walk alone. God walks with us.”

Fr. Guanzon explained the decision to host the opening celebrations in four different churches, noting the vast size of the archdiocese, which is home to over four million Catholics.

In addition to the launch, 32 Jubilee Churches across the archdiocese have been designated as special places of prayer, offering the faithful opportunities for reconciliation and plenary indulgences to deepen their faith.

The year-long celebration will also feature dedicated observances for 11 different sectors of society, with representatives from youth groups, public officials, health workers, law enforcement, educators, families, catechists, seminarians, religious communities, media, charitable organizations, and ordained ministers taking part in monthly events at the parish and diocesan levels.

Monsignor Marnell Mejia, tasked with organizing the grand procession, revealed that representatives of these sectors will alternately carry the cross during the launch, symbolizing unity and shared responsibility in the celebration of faith.

Summing up the vision for Jubilee 2025, Fr. Guanzon described it as “a symphony of prayer to deepen the faith,” urging all Catholics in the Archdiocese to participate actively in the journey of hope, renewal, and grace.