Dear Friends,
We know that the Jubilee Year 2025 was officially inaugurated by Pope Francis by opening the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, on December 24. There are four other Holy Doors in Rome: the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the door located at the Rebibbia Prison in Rome.
Bishop James Checchio designated the following sacred places within our Diocese as places where the faithful may obtain the Jubilee Indulgence:
- Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, NJ
- Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, NJ
- National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Washington, NJ
- National Shrine of St. Lucy Filippini (inside St. Mary of Mount Virgin Church, New Brunswick, NJ.
The Bishop’s decree states (as you can see it on our website) “These sacred spaces have been carefully chosen to reflect the spiritual significance of pilgrimage and to foster deeper conversion and reconciliation among the people of God. The visit is not merely an outward action but a reflection of the soul’s pilgrimage towards God, with conversion, reconciliation, and renewal at its heart.”
Here in our parish, we inaugurate the Jubilee Year 2025 today, focusing on the meaning of this Jubilee year at all the Masses. The theme of this Jubilee Year, proposed by Pope Francis, is “Pilgrims of Hope.” As he so beautifully expressed it: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
There will be many resources coming from our Diocese as well as from the USCCB (US Conference of Catholic Bishops) that we can make use of for our spiritual enrichment. I like to mention two easily accessible resources that we can start with immediately:
1) Catholic Brain: This is a faith formation program for individuals and families, with lots of informative and fun stuff for growing in our faith. Our Parish has already a subscription and we use it for the GIFT program. But I do encourage all of us to use it for our own spiritual benefit. See page 8 in today’s bulletin for accessing it through Debbie Schurko, our Director of Religious Education.
2) Rosary In A Year Podcasts: This is for practicing one of the timeless devotional prayers of our Church – the Holy Rosary. See the blurb on page 7 in today’s bulletin about accessing these daily podcasts. You can use them at your convenience.
We will also be praying the Jubilee Prayer, penned by Pope Francis, at all our Masses. It concludes with these words: “May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever, Amen.”
Let us joyfully and prayerfully participate in this Jubilee Year 2025!
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Abraham Orapankal