Catholics in Yogyakarta filled St. John the Apostle Pringwulung Parish Church on Nov. 19 for the celebration of the Eucharist for the Indulgence of the Holy Year Jubilee 2025.
The Mass, which marked the culmination of the parish’s Jubilee activities, was presided over by Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko of Semarang.
Organizers said the celebration reaffirmed the Church’s invitation for the faithful to journey as pilgrims who kindle hope in both personal and communal life.
Priests from different areas concelebrated the liturgy, including Fr. Andrianus Maradiyo. A choir from the Gunungkidul District and ushers from Pringwulung Parish and Babarsari Parish served during the celebration.
The parish community described the gathering as an atmosphere of gratitude as the Church reopened access to grace through the Porta Sancta and the Prayer Garden, which will remain open until the end of 2025.
In his homily, Archbishop Rubiyatmoko stressed the spiritual meaning of the Jubilee, saying it is “a time of grace that brings liberation,” a message reflected in the Gospel reading on Jesus’ proclamation of the year of the Lord’s favor.
He invited the faithful “to rediscover the meaning of the Jubilee in Israel’s tradition, which included the cancellation of debts and the restoration of property as signs of God’s love.”
The Church understands this today as liberation “from the power of sin and an opportunity to draw closer to Christ.”
The archbishop reminded parishioners that the 2025 Jubilee grants “a special grace in the form of a plenary indulgence, which removes temporal punishment for sins already forgiven.”
He urged Catholics “to build true conversion by abandoning ways of life that are not aligned with God’s will,” noting the strong participation of thousands from the Eastern Yogyakarta Vicariate in the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation every third week of the Jubilee period.
Local Church leaders also linked the Jubilee celebration to the implementation of the ninth Pastoral Direction (Ardas), which calls the community to become “a joyful, inspiring, and life-giving Church.”
Archbishop Rubiyatmoko encouraged Catholics “to embody God’s love through concrete actions, bringing peace and striving for the well-being of those in need.”
With this spirit, he said, the faithful are expected “to continue growing into individuals who bring blessings in their daily journey of faith.”
