Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD –
Goa: The Jubilee Year 2025 was inaugurated in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman on December 29, 2024, during a solemn ceremony that coincided with the feast day of the Holy Family. Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão presided over the Eucharistic celebration, emphasizing the significance of this Holy Year as a time for spiritual renewal and growth within the Catholic community.
The inauguration brought together various clergy members, including Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes, Vicar General Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes, and several other priests who concelebrated the Mass. The atmosphere was filled with reverence as Cardinal Ferrão highlighted the Jubilee Cross, which serves as a central symbol for the year. He explained that it embodies four key levels of spiritual life that the faithful should focus on throughout this Holy Year. Deacon Valfern Barbosa and 125 priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
Cardinal Ferrão urged families to create a prayerful environment at home. He encouraged practices such as:
- Regular prayer and reading of the Word of God.
- Recitation of the Rosary.
- Active participation in Sacraments.
He emphasized that strengthening faith within families is crucial for a spiritually fruitful Jubilee Year.
In addition to family prayer, he called for greater involvement in Small Christian Communities (SCCs), encouraging deeper faith and loving concern among neighbors. The Cardinal also urged active participation in various aspects of church life, such as teaching catechism and engaging in parish councils and movements. He stated, “By being involved in these areas, we can make this Holy Year more spiritually fruitful.”
Cardinal Ferrão further challenged the faithful to witness their faith in broader societal contexts, particularly addressing social, economic, political, and cultural challenges. He stated, “If we have deepened our faith, strengthened our charity, and awakened hope through these three means, then let us strive to witness faith in our society.” He also highlighted the importance of ecological awareness, urging participants to promote genuine ecological concern as part of their spiritual journey during this Jubilee Year.
Bishop Simião Fernandes delivered a homily themed “Pilgrims of Hope, Walking Together with Christ,” emphasizing the role of families in nurturing hope and love. He reflected on the Holy Family as a model for family life and highlighted three essential relationships:
Husband and Wife: Mary and Joseph exemplify mutual support.
Parents and Children: They demonstrate love and responsibility towards Jesus.
Jesus with His Parents: This relationship illustrates respect and love.
Bishop Fernandes called for Christ to be at the heart of every family, urging simple expressions like “Thanks,” “Sorry,” and “Please” to strengthen relationships.
Looking ahead to Jubilee Year 2025, Bishop Fernandes reminded attendees of Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to be “tangible signs of hope” for marginalized groups such as prisoners, the sick, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, migrants, and vulnerable youth. He concluded his homily by echoing Pope Francis’ message regarding stewardship of creation: “Creation is God’s gift to us. We are its stewards.”
Prior to the Eucharistic celebration, a Preparatory Service was held that included a procession featuring the Pilgrim Cross and placards representing various themes such as care for creation and support for marginalized groups. During this service, Archbishop Ferrão unveiled the Jubilee Mascot named “Luce,” symbolizing light.
After Mass, various resources were released including a Jubilee Planner Poster and a Liturgy Booklet for Novena preparations. The liturgical singing was led by Fr. Mansueto Fernandes while facilitators Deron Rodrigues and Corina Fernandes contributed to the ceremony’s smooth execution.
As the Archdiocese embarks on this significant Holy Year, Cardinal Ferrão’s message resonates deeply within the community: this Jubilee is not only a time for personal spiritual renewal but also an opportunity for collective action towards fostering hope and stewardship within families and society at large. The faithful are invited to embrace both spiritual and practical dimensions of this year-long celebration, ensuring that their faith translates into meaningful action in their communities.