On December 29, 2024, the Feast of the Holy Family, the Archdiocese of Cebu officially opened the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The celebrations across the Archdiocese were held simultaneously, led by designated church leaders.
The liturgical celebration started with the Collectio, which comprises an antiphon, greeting, invitation to bless and praise God, exhortation, prayer, the proclamation of a Gospel passage, and reading of some sections from Spes non confundit (the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year). The faithful then went on a Solemn Foot Procession and continued the Eucharistic Celebration at the Cathedral or Co-cathedral.
JUBILEE OPENING CELEBRATIONS AROUND CEBU
For parishes in the north of Cebu, the faithful congregated at the Boardwalk in Danao City, Cebu, for the Opening Procession, which culminated at the Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish. Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Midyphil Billones presided over the celebration.
In the South of Cebu, Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Ruben Labajo led the faithful in prayer, starting from Balay na Tisa and concluding at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar.
The faithful in Bantayan Island were led by Vicar General Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda, PC. They gathered at the Bantayan Sunset Promenade and congregated at St. Peter Parish.
JUBILEE OPENING CELEBRATION IN CEBU CITY
In Cebu City, the Pre-Jubilee Celebration Program began at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Grounds. The faithful were welcomed by musical performances by Florencio Villacorta and the San Jose Choral from St. Joseph the Worker Parish of Tabunok.
Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma presided over the liturgical celebration, beginning with the Collectio and the procession from the Cebu Provincial Capitol Grounds to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
The pilgrims, while carrying their rosaries and candles, were accompanied by reflections, prayers, and hymns while traversing the Osmeña Boulevard.
Upon reaching the Cathedral, the Archbishop showed the Cross to the faithful for veneration and led in the Rite of the Commemoration of the Baptism.
In his homily, Archbishop Palma reflected on the connection between the Feast of the Holy Family and the Jubilee Year by encouraging the faithful to reflect on the gift of their respective families.
“We do not choose our family, pero sa plano sa Diyos dapat lamang, like Jesus, we should pay respect and honor sa atong family. Unta kita tanang member [nga] sa atong family mocontribute, aron like Jesus, we grow in age, wisdom, and grace,” he said.
The good Archbishop continued the reflection by explaining the significance of the Jubilee in the lives of the faithful.
He inspired them to be instruments and bearers of hope for those who are constantly seeking this gift. Despite life’s trials and challenges, he enjoined the faithful to hope and pray for peace.
“Taliwala sa panaw sa kinabuhi, dunay mga lubak-lubak, but overall, we have reason to be grateful and to be hopeful that tomorrow will be better than today tungod kay pinangga kita ni Lord, pinangga kita ni Mama Mary,” he exhorted.
The Jubilee, which is a special year of grace, encourages the faithful to renew their personal and communal relationship with God, with one another, and with creation.
Rooted in Jewish tradition, the Jubilee involved forgiving debts, returning misappropriated land, and letting fields lie fallow. It used to be celebrated every 100 years until various pontiffs decreed for the number of years to be decreased to fifty, and eventually, 25 years.
With the Jubilee Year now officially opened in the Archdiocese of Cebu, let us become instruments of faith, hope, and love, working together to make His Kingdom reign on earth.
Special thanks to the Parish Social Communications Ministry of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria – Carcar, St. Peter Parish – Bantayan, and the Danao City Public Information Office.