• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The Diocese of Bacolod officially opened the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025 on December 29, on the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
The celebration started with a pilgrim walk from the Sacred Heart Shrine (Lupit Church) going to the San Sebastian Cathedral, where thousands of Catholic faithful participated, coming from the different vicariates, parishes, chaplaincies, and catholic schools under the Diocese of Bacolod.
Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon led the pilgrim walk, together with about 40 priests from the Diocese, going to the cathedral where the Holy Doors were opened for the pilgrims. A Eucharistic celebration followed, presided by the bishop together with San Sebastian Cathedral rector Msgr. Ronald Quijano and Sacred Heart Shrine rector Rev. Fr. Ruel Jundos, and other priests.
In his homily, Buzon expressed his happiness to see the huge number of pilgrims especially coming from the southern and northern part of the Diocese who joined the pilgrimage walk that converged at the Cathedral for the Eucharistic celebration.
He emphasized that the fruit of this Christmas season is the Jubilee Year, which is a whole year of Grace, and that he is looking forward to a grace-filled year ahead. The bishop also mentioned the seven pilgrim churches in the diocese, namely: San Sebastian Cathedral and Queen of Peace Parish-Redemptorist in Bacolod City, Our Lady of Victory Parish in Victorias City, San Diego de Alcala Parish in Silay City, St. Mary Magdalene in Hinigaran, Our Lady of Peace Parish in La Carlota City, and St.John the Baptist Parish in Bago City, and hopes that these parishes will make the most of this great grace of God’s mercy during the Jubilee Year.
The theme for the Jubilee is Hope, the Holy Father wants us to become aware that we are pilgrims of Hope, we are just pilgrims on this earth. Despite the problems we encounter, sometimes we lose hope, but this jubilee year wants us to be filled with hope. We are not alone in this pilgrimage, we are filled with hope because God himself will walk with us, Buzon said.
A Catholic Holy Year, or Jubilee, usually happens once every 25 years, unless a Pope calls an extraordinary one to call attention to a particular issue or celebrate a momentous event. The last ordinary Holy Year was held in 2000 under Pope John Paul II, and last extraordinary Holy Year was called by Pope Francis in 2016 to emphasize his desire to present a merciful and a welcoming Church.
During this Jubilee Year, Catholics can obtain plenary indulgence through making a pilgrimage to Rome or at least visit one of the four major papal basilicas. The faithful can also gain plenary indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage to their cathedral or churches or shrine selected by the local bishop.
Practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy is also one, this Apostolic Penitentiary lists by visiting prisoners, spending time with lonely elderly people, aiding the sick or disabled, and helping those who are in need as instances to obtain an indulgence.
The Jubilee Year, which commenced on December 24, 2024, with the official opening of the Holy Door at the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Pope Francis, will run until January 6, 2026, the Feast Day of Epiphany, with the Closing of the Holy Door.*
