By Stephen Enatu
The Soroti Catholic Diocese, under the guidance of the Right Reverend Dr. Joseph Echiru Oliach, is set to launch the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year with a solemn and spiritually enriching Holy Mass on Sunday, December 29, 2024. This sacred event will mark the beginning of a year-long journey of faith, hope, and renewal for Christians worldwide, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The celebration will begin with a grand procession from Soroti Sports Grounds, led by Bishop Echiru, clergy, and lay faithful, culminating at Father Hilder’s Grounds. At the heart of the ceremony will be the opening of the symbolic Holy Door by the Bishop, replicating the act performed by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica. As per tradition, walking through the Holy Door symbolizes a step toward spiritual renewal, offering believers a “plenary indulgence” — a profound expression of God’s forgiveness.
Fr. Simon Ebyietu Echelu, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, emphasized the significance of the day, describing it as a moment for unity and reconciliation. “We are inviting all Christians from the Soroti Diocese and beyond to be part of this historic occasion. It is an opportunity for each of us to renew our relationship with God, strengthen our faith, and embrace hope amid the challenges we face as a world.”
The event is expected to draw over 10,000 faithful, including all parish priests, with activities extending beyond the Mass. During the Jubilee Year, the Diocese will focus on charity, visits to the elderly and sick, and inspiring hope among the youth. Pilgrimages to holy sites like Namugongo and Ngora declared a sacred site by Bishop Echiru in 2020 will also be encouraged, offering believers opportunities for prayer and spiritual growth.
A Jubilee Year, celebrated every 25 years, is a profound tradition in the Catholic Church, fostering themes of forgiveness, spiritual renewal, and reconciliation. This year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” is a timely reminder to remain steadfast in faith despite the trials of our time, including war, climate crises, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Holy Year, or Jubilee, is a special occasion in the Catholic Church focused on themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal. These events encourage the faithful to restore their relationship with God, one another, and all of creation. The 2025 Jubilee Year will be celebrated under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” reflecting the need for hope in a world deeply affected by war, the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing climate crisis.
Traditionally the jubilee is observed every 25 years. This practice has been in place since 1470 when Pope Paul II reduced the interval from 50 years. The most recent Jubilee Year was celebrated in 2000. However, the Pope can also declare an Extraordinary Jubilee, as was the case in 2015 when Pope Francis inaugurated the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy upon foreseeing the need to exercise forgiveness in the world.