Cardinal Anthony Poola Inaugurates Jubilee Year 2025 and Unveils Jubilee Cross in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, December 30, 2024: Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad, inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025 at Saint Joseph Cathedral, Gunfoundry, during a solemn ceremony on December 29. The event, marked by a procession from Rosary Convent, was a call for Catholics to embrace a year of spiritual renewal, reconciliation and hope. The procession, led by Cardinal Poola and accompanied by priests, religious leaders and lay faithful, entered the cathedral where the Jubilee Cross was honored.

In his homily, Cardinal Poola reflected on the Jubilee Year theme, "Hope doesn’t disappoint us," urging the congregation to embrace hope as a transformative force in their lives. He emphasized the importance of love and trust in God’s providence, drawing inspiration from Jesus, His mother, and St. Joseph. "We are called to be people of hope, spreading the light of Christ throughout the world," he said.

As part of the celebrations, the Cardinal handed over the Jubilee Pilgrim Cross to 12 deaneries in the archdiocese, including Bowenpally, Emjala, Gagillapuram and others. Additionally, five churches in the archdiocese were declared Jubilee Pilgrim Centers: St. Mary’s Basilica in Secunderabad, St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Gunfoundry, Our Lady of Good Health Shrine in Khairtabad, St. Anthony’s Shrine in Mettuguda, and Infant Jesus Shrine in Emjala.

A solemn Eucharistic celebration followed, with support from Monsignor Fr. Yeruva Bala Showry, the parish priest, and the assistant parish priest. As the Archdiocese embarks on this Holy Year, Cardinal Poola invited the faithful to deepen their commitment to the Church and actively serve their communities.

By Pujitha Nagalli

Radio Veritas Asia