By Marinella Bandini
Jerusalem, Dec 30, 2024 / 13:30 pm
The 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope in the Holy Land began with the entrance of the jubilee cross into the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth on Dec. 29.
Celebrated on the feast of the Holy Family, this significant event was led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, who inaugurated the holy year in his diocese covering Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, and Cyprus.
The symbolic entrance followed the proclamation of the Gospel of John (14:1-7), emphasizing Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life.”
Accompanied by Archbishop Moussa Hage and Archbishop Youssef Matta, the patriarch carried the jubilee cross into the basilica, highlighting the unity among different Catholic rites in the region.
A procession of 11 bishops, major superiors, and around 150 priests from the diocese followed the patriarch into the basilica.
Joseph’s Church in Nazareth, so that pilgrims can receive the jubilee indulgence by visiting these sites.
During his homily, the patriarch emphasized the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, urging the faithful to seek peace in their hearts and in the world. He encouraged them to take advantage of this holy year to deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with God.
The celebration concluded with a prayer for peace in the Holy Land and the world, as the congregation joined in singing hymns of praise and thanksgiving. The jubilee year in Nazareth has officially begun, and pilgrims from around the world are invited to participate in the special events and receive the graces of the jubilee indulgence.
As we embark on this journey of faith and renewal, let us open our hearts to God’s mercy and love, seeking forgiveness and reconciliation in our lives. May this jubilee year be a time of grace and blessing for all who come to the Holy Land to experience the presence of Christ in a new and profound way.
Welcome to the blog post about the recent jubilee celebration at the Mary of Grace Church in Larnaca, Cyprus! The event was a grand affair, with a ceremony that included the distribution of small reproductions of the jubilee cross to members of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land (ACOHL), comprising bishops, exarchs, and eparchs from across the region.
The jubilee year opening ceremony was a vibrant event, with active participation from the faithful who traveled from nearby towns, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv to join in the celebration. The assembly of the faithful gathered at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth for a Eucharistic celebration, marking the beginning of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
In light of this significant event, the Catholic ordinaries of the Holy Land issued a special message to local Christians, encouraging them to embark on pilgrimages to the jubilee sites in the region. These sacred places hold deep roots in the faith and history of the Holy Land, often overlooked by local believers.
The Latin Patriarchate has stressed the importance of reviving pilgrimages to these holy sites, especially with the current decrease in international pilgrims. The initiative aims to preserve the rich traditions and spiritual heritage of the Holy Land while fostering a renewed connection among local Christians.
Parishes, associations, and faith groups are coming together to participate in this effort, ensuring that the jubilee year becomes a transformative experience for the faithful to deepen their faith and rediscover the profound significance of these holy places.
As we Christians of the Holy Land are invited to embark on a pilgrimage to three special locations to fully experience the jubilee as a time of reconciliation and indulgence, let us embrace this opportunity to strengthen our faith and connection to our sacred roots.
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