ILOILO City – Seven churches in the Archdiocese of Jaro have been designated as pilgrimage sites for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
These include the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Jaro district here; the St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish in Cabatuan, Iloilo; St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Barangay San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras; St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Miag-ao, Iloilo; Patronage of St. Joseph Parish in Pototan, Iloilo; Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo; and the Holy Rosary Chapel of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines in Molo district here.
Archbishop Romeo O. Lazo, D.D., of the Archdiocese of Jaro selected the pilgrimage churches, according to Reverend Father Angelo Colada, director of the archdiocese’s Social Communication Office.
Key factors considered in the selection included the churches’ strategic location, historical value, and accessibility to nearby towns.
“These churches were chosen by our Archbishop so that people can visit these places during the Jubilee,” Colada told Panay News in an interview.
A Call to Renew Faith
The 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope emphasizes spiritual renewal, with pilgrims encouraged to partake in catechesis and confession during their visits. The celebration calls for the faithful to re-establish their relationship with God.
“It is very significant because it’s a call to re-establish our relationship with God,” Colada explained.
Colada also encouraged devotees to perform corporal works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, providing drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.
“We should give hope to our brothers and sisters in prisons and help improve their situation. Let us also invest in the young generation, as they are the hope of the future, society, and the Church,” Colada added.
Launch of the Jubilee
The Archdiocese of Jaro will formally launch the Jubilee Year of Hope on Dec. 29, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Family. The event will begin with a 4 p.m. procession from St. Clement Church to Jaro Cathedral, symbolizing the pilgrimage. This will be followed by the opening of the Jubilee Church at Jaro Cathedral, a Renewal of Baptism, and a Mass.
Globally, the Jubilee Year of Hope started on Dec. 24, 2024, with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The celebration will end on Jan. 6, 2026, when the Holy Door is closed.
Pilgrims of Hope
Themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Jubilee Year is a time for prayer, renewal, and strengthening faith. It encourages fostering global unity, showing solidarity with the poor, and caring for the environment.
Jubilee celebrations traditionally occur every 50 years but have been observed every 25 years in recent times due to the extended interval.
The Jubilee Year of Hope is a significant spiritual event for Catholics worldwide, offering an opportunity to reflect on faith and share the hope of Christianity with others./PN
