So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
The faithful of Lugazi Diocese, united with the Universal Church, joyfully gathered on Sunday, December 29, 2024, to mark the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year 2025. Following the guidance of His Holiness Pope Francis, the diocese embraced the Jubilee’s central theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” with a spirit of renewal, faith, and trust in God.
A Symbolic Opening Rite
A Symbolic Opening Rite
The celebration commenced at the Grotto outside Lugazi Cathedral, where priests, religious, and lay faithful assembled for the Opening Rite. This prayerful moment included the proclamation of the Gospel and readings from the Papal Bull announcing the Jubilee Year. In this historic document, Pope Francis calls on all Christians to live with hope, declaring, “Where there is hope, there is no despair.”
Led by the Cross, the congregation embarked on a symbolic pilgrimage to the Cathedral entrance. There, Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza, the Bishop of Lugazi Diocese, blessed the faithful with the Cross and sprinkled them with Holy Water, a gesture of purification and renewal as they prepared to embark on this spiritual journey.
Mass of the Holy Family
During the Eucharistic celebration marking the Feast of the Holy Family, Bishop Kakooza emphasized the significance of the Jubilee theme. He reminded the congregation that Pope Francis officially opened the Holy Year in Rome on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, encouraging all Christians to remain hopeful pilgrims amid life’s challenges.
Incorporating the papal theme into the diocesan context, Bishop Kakooza introduced Lugazi Diocese’s Jubilee motto:
“Ayi Mukama, Mpa Okulaba Nate, Nze Omulamazi wo Ow’Essuubi,”
translated as “Oh Lord, Let Me See Again, Your Pilgrim of Hope.”
The Bishop reflected on the enduring message of hope, calling upon Christians to place their trust in God and to remain steadfast in faith as they navigate the challenges of the modern world.
Call for Support and Unity
We must choose to obtain, and learn more information about our church. Visit the Jubilee Website for more information
Embracing the Pilgrimage of Hope
The Jubilee Year 2025 invites all Catholics to reflect on their journey of faith, renew their relationship with God, and inspire hope in their communities. As Lugazi Diocese embarks on this sacred pilgrimage, the faithful are encouraged to embrace the spirit of hope, trusting that God will illuminate their path, even in times of trial.
The diocese extends its gratitude to all who participated in this monumental celebration and invites everyone to join in the year-long journey of grace and renewal. Together, as pilgrims of hope, the faithful of Lugazi Diocese march forward, united in faith and inspired by the promise of a brighter future.
During the pilgrimage psalms can be sung.
Taking into account the time it may take to reach the Holy Door, some decades of the Rosary may also be recited.
When the Holy Door is reached the following psalm is recited:
PSALM 23 (24) The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.
He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.
After entering the Basilica, the following prayers are recited for the intentions of the Holy Father:
Our Father 3
Hail Marys
Glory be to the Father
On arrival at the Tomb of the Apostle Peter, the Profession of Faith is made:
I believe in one God If the one presiding is an ordained minister, the pilgrimage concludes with a blessing.
If the person presiding is a layperson, the following is said:
Let us bless the Lord All answer: Thanks be to God.
Lugazi Diocese Opens the Jubilee year 2025
The faithful of Lugazi Diocese, united with the Universal Church, joyfully gathered on Sunday, December 29, 2024, to mark the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year 2025. Following the guidance of His Holiness Pope Francis, the diocese embraced the Jubilee’s central theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” with a spirit of renewal, faith, and trust in God.
PSALM 122 (121)
The Litany of the Saints is recited or sung.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they prosper who love you! Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!”
For my brethren and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good
What is the Jubilee?
“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram’s horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13).
Even though it wasn’t easy to organise, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.
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