Procession to kick off Jubilee Year celebration in Cebu

Local

TO OPEN the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year celebration in Cebu, a large procession and simultaneous ceremonies will be held on December 29, 2024, with thousands of faithful expected to attend.

The Jubilee Year 2025 carries the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” a message of spiritual renewal and optimism proclaimed by Pope Francis.

The Holy Year, traditionally celebrated every 25 years, will officially begin with the opening of the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Christmas Eve 2024.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma emphasized the central theme of hope, saying, “To hope is to believe that there is something good in store for us as we journey through life.”

In Cebu City, the procession will start at 4 p.m. along Osmeña Boulevard and culminate with a mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 5:30 p.m.

Similar celebrations will be held at Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Danao for northern Cebu parishes, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar for southern Cebu, and St. Peter Parish in Bantayan for parishes on the island.

Throughout the Jubilee Year, the Cebu Archdiocese will host monthly events focusing on various sectors of the community.

The celebrations will begin in January, dedicated to children, students, and educators, highlighting their role in shaping the future of the Church.

In February, seminarians, consecrated individuals, ordained ministers, and the sick will take center stage, emphasizing the importance of spiritual vocations and the Church’s care for the vulnerable.

March will focus on bankers, entrepreneurs, and church workers, recognizing their contributions to society's economic and spiritual life.

Health workers and persons with disabilities will be honored in April, acknowledging their vital roles and challenges.

In May, the spotlight will be on media and communications professionals, underlining their influence in spreading the Gospel message.

June will celebrate youth, lay liturgical ministries, ecclesial movements, and new communities, reflecting the Church’s dynamic and evolving mission.

Families, married couples, grandparents, and the elderly will be celebrated in July, reinforcing the significance of family values and intergenerational connections.

August will be dedicated to pastors and catechists, recognizing their work in teaching and guiding the faithful.

In September, the Church will honor migrants, seafarers, and overseas Filipino workers, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions.

Environmentalists, government officials, security personnel, and missionaries will be highlighted in October, emphasizing their roles in protecting creation and serving the community.

November will focus on the poor, orphans, homeless, and interfaith dialogue, highlighting the Church’s mission to care for the marginalized and promote unity among different faiths.

Finally, December will be dedicated to people deprived of liberty, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to forgiveness and redemption.

To encourage wider participation, the Archdiocese will launch the Pilgrim’s Passport program. Pilgrims can collect stamps from the 32 designated Jubilee Churches across Cebu as proof of their spiritual journey.

Those who visit at least 15 churches can receive a certificate and token as a testament to their spiritual commitment.

This initiative, led by the Cebu Commission on Worship and the Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Ministry, provides a tangible way for devotees to deepen their connection to the Jubilee Year.

The 32 Jubilee Churches include prominent sites like the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, and several Archdiocesan shrines located across eight districts in Cebu.

These churches will serve as pilgrimage destinations, allowing the faithful to reflect on the Jubilee’s theme of hope and spiritual renewal.

Rev. Msgr. Marnell Mejia, head of the Procession Committee, shared high expectations for participation.

“We are expecting more...maybe 10,000 or more,” he said. Palma echoed this optimism, calling on all Cebuanos to join the events.(MyTVCebu)