The Church in India has initiated preparations for Jubilee 2025, aligning with the universal Church’s efforts, with the release of the 35 Council Notebooks.
The Council Notebooks centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” and unveiled the roadmap for the upcoming celebrations.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa-Daman, led the launching of the Council Notebooks in Bengaluru, the capital city of southern Karnataka state, on September 22.
He emphasized that as the Catholic Church moves toward the First Session of the Final Phase (Universal Phase) of the Synod for a Synodal Church 2021-2024, it is also gearing up for Jubilee 2025, marking 2025 years since Jesus’ birth.
He encouraged integrating the Jubilee 2025 celebrations with the synodal journey.
Cardinal Ferrao, who heads the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), presented the CCBI Roadmap for Jubilee 2025 preparations and celebrations.
Pope Francis, in a letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World, emphasized the importance of hope in the Christian life, particularly in the face of uncertainties and hardships brought about by the pandemic and wars.
He stated that the forthcoming Jubilee can greatly contribute to restoring a climate of hope and trust, which is why he chose ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ as its motto.
Cardinal Ferrao said the purpose of Jubilee 2025 is threefold: to celebrate Jesus, to celebrate the Church, and to celebrate their faith.
The preparations span two years: 2023 as the Year of the Council (Year of Learning) and 2024 as the Year of Prayer.
Pope Francis encourages the study of the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council to provide direction and guidance for God’s people.
The Dicastery for Evangelization has produced 35 booklets providing background information on the Second Vatican Council and the Four Constitutions addressing the Word of God, the liturgy, the Church as the people of God, and the Church in the modern world.
These Notebooks have been translated into English for the global market and are distributed by ATC Publishers India, published by the CCBI.
CCBI will integrate the preparations for the Jubilee 2025 into the Church in India’s synodal journey and strategic planning.
During the launching, other church leaders were present, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore (Vice President CCBI), Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Delhi (Secretary General CCBI), Father Stephen Alathara (Deputy Secretary General CCBI), and Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore.
The local churches in India will inaugurate the preparations for the Jubilee on November 26, 2023, the Solemnity of Christ the King.
This will involve unveiling the Jubilee Logo and encouraging people to revisit the treasures of the Second Vatican Council and revamp their prayer life.
The National Facilitating Team plans to visit all 132 Latin dioceses of India, igniting hope in every faithful individual.
Cardinal Ferrao emphasized that during Jubilee 2025, the Catholic Church invites the faithful to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ encouraging them to extend hope in places like hospitals, orphanages, homes for the destitute, prisons, refugee camps, and others.
The preparations and celebrations of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 are coordinated by Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi, in collaboration with Communio, the Commission for Proclamation, and the Commission for Theology and Doctrine.
