Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão Inaugurates Jubilee Year 2025 in Goa, Calls for Spiritual Renewal

Goa, December 30, 2024: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman during a solemn ceremony on the feast day of the Holy Family on December 29, urging Catholics to embrace the year as a time of spiritual renewal and growth. The event, marked by a Eucharistic celebration, brought together clergy, religious leaders and laity to reflect on the spiritual significance of the Jubilee.

Presiding over the Eucharist, Cardinal Ferrão emphasized the centrality of the Jubilee Cross, which symbolizes the four key levels of spiritual life. He encouraged families to strengthen their faith through prayer, scripture reading, recitation of the Rosary and active participation in the sacraments. Highlighting the importance of Small Christian Communities (SCCs), he called for greater neighborly concern and active involvement in Church life, including teaching catechism, participating in liturgy, and serving in parish councils and associations.

The Cardinal further urged the faithful to witness their faith in broader societal contexts, addressing social, economic, political, and cultural challenges. He emphasized the importance of ecological awareness, aligning the Jubilee’s spiritual mission with the call to care for creation. “By promoting genuine ecological concern, this Jubilee Year can bear lasting fruit,” he concluded.

Delivering the homily on the theme "Pilgrims of Hope, Walking Together with Christ," Bishop Simião Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman, underscored the role of families as pillars of hope, love and responsibility. Reflecting on the Holy Family, he outlined three key relationships—husband and wife, parents and children and the bond between Jesus and His parents—as models of mutual support and respect. Bishop Fernandes, also the Convenor of the Jubilee Committee, reminded the faithful of Pope Francis’ call to be “tangible signs of hope” to marginalized groups, including prisoners, the sick, and the elderly.

The inauguration also featured a Preparatory Service that included a symbolic procession carrying the Pilgrim Cross, the Jubilee logo, and placards representing various Jubilee themes such as care for creation, migrants, and youth. Archbishop Ferrão unveiled the Jubilee Mascot, "Luce" (Light), and incensed the Jubilee Cross.

Following the Mass, the Jubilee Planner Poster, Resources Booklet, and Liturgy Booklet for the Novena were released by the Archbishop, Bishop Fernandes, and Vicar General Fr. Jose Remedios Fernandes. The liturgical singing, led by Fr. Mansueto Fernandes, and the facilitation by Deron Rodrigues and Corina Fernandes, added to the solemnity of the occasion. Fr. Leo Fernandes concluded the event with a vote of thanks.

As the Archdiocese embarks on this Holy Year, the faithful are invited to embrace its spiritual and practical dimensions, fostering hope, renewal and stewardship within families, communities and society at large.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso