First World Day of Children at Theni, Madurai

Holy Redeemer’s Church in Theni joyously celebrated the First World Day of Children on Sunday, May 26, 2024. This landmark event was presided over by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, a distinguished Missionary of Mercy and Pontifical Delegate of Pope Francis, appointed during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The celebration saw heartfelt participation from the local community, emphasising the vital role of children in the Church.

Rev. Fr. M. S. Muthu, the Parish Priest and Vicar Forane, highlighted the significance of the day, stating, “We respond to the call of the Holy Father to celebrate the First World Day of Children. The day reminds us that the children are not the future of the Church, but the present.”

 

During his homily, Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi underscored the importance of celebrating children daily, saying, “The children must be celebrated every day; they are precious in God's eyes and our eyes. We have a spiritual responsibility to approach them with empathy and to instil in them resilience.”

 

Master Eustace John expressed gratitude on behalf of all the children saying, “We are thankful to the Holy Father Pope Francis for remembering us. He is loving grandfather!”

 

Mrs. Aurelia Dhas, a dedicated faith formation volunteer, reflected on the day’s broader implications, remarking, “The day invites us to celebrate children at the catechism classes not as passive observers, but as active partners.”

 

The event was meticulously arranged by Rev. Fr. M. S. Muthu, along with Fr. Martin and Fr. Barnabas SDM, ensuring a seamless and meaningful celebration.

 

The First World Day of Children at Holy Redeemer’s Church marked a significant moment of unity and joy, reinforcing the community’s commitment to nurturing and celebrating its youngest members. This celebration is a witness to the Church’s dedication to the spiritual and emotional well-being of children, recognizing their invaluable presence within the faith community.

The event was organised as part of the Jubilee 2025 preparations in the Archdiocese of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

BRBC Workshop Takeaways

Conference of Catholic Bishops of India

Jubilee Yātra to the Bengal Region

Bengal Regional Bishops’ Council (BRBC)

 

Convenors: 

His Grace Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza, Chairman, BRBC

His Grace Most Rev. Vincent Aind, Archbishop of Ranchi

 

Pilgrims of Hope on the Synodal Journey

Workshop on the Synodal Documents and the Constitutions of the Vatican II

 

13 – 17 May 2024, Raiganj

 

Final Statement

 

This week-long workshop from 13-17 May in the Bengal Region, at Raiganj, has been a transformative experience, reigniting the flame of Vatican II within the context of the ongoing synodal journey. We, a diverse group of representatives – bishops, priests, religious, laypeople, and youth – have come together not just to learn, but to discern.

 

By delving into the synodal documents and the documents of the Second Vatican Council, we’ve discovered a renewed emphasis on collaborative listening and discernment. This resonates deeply with the spirit of Vatican II, particularly the call for active participation by the People of God as outlined in Lumen Gentium. We are all instruments of the Holy Spirit, called to contribute our voices and perspectives for the betterment of the Church.

 

Discussions on the Four Constitutions offered valuable guidance for synodality in the Bengal context. Gaudium et Spes, with its message of engagement with the world, reminds us to listen attentively to the joys and struggles of our communities. This aligns perfectly with the synodal process, which seeks to discern God’s will for the Church considering present realities.

 

Leaving this workshop, we are ignited with a renewed zeal for synodality. We return to our dioceses equipped to share the spirit of collaborative listening and discernment. We will foster open dialogues within our parishes, reaching out to all voices, especially those on the margins. Together, as pilgrims of hope on this synodal journey, we aim to build a more inclusive, participatory, and mission-oriented Church in Bengal Region and in our Dioceses.

 

The workshop has equipped us with tools for fostering true synodality within our communities. Leaving this workshop, we are not merely participants but active agents of synodality. As trainers, we carry the responsibility to share this knowledge and ignite a spirit of listening and dialogue, and to animate the Jubilee 2025 preparations and celebrations. As pilgrims of hope, we continue this journey together, discerning the path towards a more inclusive, participatory, and mission-oriented Church in our Diocese and the Bengal Region.

 

Our calls to action are: 

 

1. Plan and Organize: Begin by forming a dedicated committee or task force responsible for planning and organizing the Jubilee 2025 celebrations, ensuring representation from all relevant stakeholders.

 

2. Set Goals and Objectives: Define clear goals and objectives for the Jubilee celebrations, outlining what you hope to achieve spiritually, socially, and communally during this special time.

 

3. Engage the Community: Involve the entire community in the planning process, seeking input and feedback to ensure that the Jubilee celebrations reflect the hopes, dreams, and needs of all members.

 

4. Develop a Program of Events: Create a diverse program of events and activities that cater to different interests and demographics within the community, including spiritual retreats, service projects, cultural performances, and educational seminars.

 

5. Promote Participation: Encourage active participation in Jubilee events and activities by providing opportunities for volunteering, leadership roles, and personal reflection.

 

6. Embrace Reconciliation and Healing: Use the Jubilee as an opportunity to promote reconciliation and healing within the community, addressing past wounds and divisions with a spirit of forgiveness and compassion.

 

7. Reach Out to Marginalized Groups: Ensure that Jubilee celebrations are inclusive and welcoming to all members of the community, especially those who may feel marginalized or excluded.

 

8. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements: Take time to reflect on and celebrate the milestones and achievements of the community over the past years, acknowledging the blessings and challenges that have shaped its journey.

 

9. Share Stories and Memories: Create opportunities for community members to share their stories and memories of faith, hope, and resilience, building a sense of unity and connection across generations.

 

10. Commit to Renewal and Mission: As the Jubilee celebrations end, recommit to the mission and values that define the community, pledging to continue the journey of faith and service with renewed vigour and purpose.

 

Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza & Most Rev. Vincent Aind

Convenors

 

Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Facilitator

National Coordinator for Jubilee 2025

Communio

Event Partner

Pope Francis Proclaims Jubilee 2025

The Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee was officially proclaimed on Thursday, 9 May 2024, by Pope Francis, who presided over a formal reading of the Jubilee’s papal bull of indiction.

The papal bull, titled “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” declares that the Jubilee Year will officially begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024.

The Pope further decreed that every Catholic cathedral around the world should offer Mass on Dec. 29, 2024, as the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year for their local communities. Pope Francis encouraged dioceses to organise pilgrimages to the cathedrals for the occasion.

The 2025 Jubilee will officially conclude with the closing of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica on Jan. 6, 2026, on the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. 

“May the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (cf. Jn 10:7,9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as ‘our hope’ (1 Tim 1:1),” Pope Francis wrote in the papal bull.

A jubilee is a special holy year of grace and pilgrimage in the Catholic Church. It typically takes place once every 25 years, though the pope can call for extraordinary jubilee years more often, such as in the case of the 2016 Year of Mercy or the 2013 Year of Faith.

Tradition dictates that each jubilee is proclaimed through a papal bull of indiction, a document written in Latin that bears the seal of the pope. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 with the bull Incarnationis Mysterium, meaning “The Mystery of the Incarnation.”

“During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind,” Pope Francis wrote.

Pope Francis revealed that he would like to open a Holy Door within a prison during the 2025 Jubilee “as a sign inviting prisoners to look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence.”

The pope also encouraged governments around the world to bring hope to prisoners through forms of amnesty or pardon, as well as reintegration programs to help prisoners return to the community with a greater respect for the law.

Historically, jubilee years included the freeing of slaves and prisoners, as well as the forgiveness of debts as manifestations of God’s mercy, as called for in the Book of Leviticus in the Old Testament. Pope Boniface VIII reestablished the jubilee tradition in 1300 with a Christian focus on the forgiveness of sins. 

Holy Doors are a central part of any jubilee. These doors, found at St. Peter’s Basilica and Rome’s other major basilicas, are sealed from the inside and opened during a jubilee year.

The opening of the Holy Door symbolizes the offering of an “extraordinary path” toward salvation for Catholics during a jubilee. Pilgrims who walk through a Holy Door can receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.

During the 2025 Jubilee Year, pilgrims who visit Rome will also be able to walk through Holy Doors at the other papal basilicas in the Eternal City. Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran on Dec. 29, 2024, the Holy Door in the St. Mary Major Basilica on the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Jan. 1, 2025, and the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Jan. 5, 2025. These three Holy Doors will be closed on Dec. 28, 2025.

In the papal bull, Pope Francis urged the need for peace in the world, which he said is “immersed in the tragedy of war.”

“May the Jubilee remind us that those who are peacemakers will be called ‘children of God’ (Mt 5:9),” the pope said. “The need for peace challenges us all and demands that concrete steps be taken. May diplomacy be tireless in its commitment to seek, with courage and creativity, every opportunity to undertake negotiations aimed at a lasting peace.” 

The pope has called for 2024 to be a Year of Prayer leading up to the 2025 Jubilee.

Text and photos credit: https://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-francis-proclaims-2025-jubilee-papal-bull-hope-does-not-disappoint

BRBC at Week-long Study of Vatican II Documents

Raiganj, West Bengal – May 13, 2024 – The Bengal Regional Bishops' Council (BRBC) has embarked on a significant journey of exploration and reflection, convening a week-long study of the Four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. Hosted in Raiganj, West Bengal, the event commenced on May 13th and will continue until May 17th, 2024.

Under the auspices of Archbishop Vincent Aind of Ranchi, Secretary to the BRBC and the convenor of the meeting, participants hailing from diverse dioceses within the region have gathered with a collective purpose. Reflecting on the Biblical text of Acts 15, Archbishop Aind emphasised the dual objectives of the gathering: to delve into the profound teachings encapsulated in the Four Constitutions and to discern actionable pastoral priorities for the region.

 

In his inaugural address, Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Calcutta, Chairman of the BRBC, underscored the significance of the upcoming Jubilee 2025 as an opportune moment for revitalizing pastoral activities within the region. He urged widespread participation in both the preparatory phases and the ensuing celebrations, fostering a spirit of communal engagement and renewal.

 

Bishop Fulgence Aloysius Tigga of Raiganj, the Local Ordinary, extended a warm welcome to all participants, framing the gathering not merely as a passive learning experience but as a transformative opportunity to become catalysts for positive change within their respective dioceses. He echoed the call of Pope Francis to revisit the foundational documents of the Second Vatican Council with renewed zeal and relevance.

 

Facilitating the Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop,  Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, the national coordinator for the Jubilee 2025, outlined the three-fold objectives of the gathering: deepening theological understanding, identifying practical applications for pastoral ministry, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility and solidarity.

 

The workshop has drawn together a diverse group of 57 participants, including bishops, priests, religious, catechists, professionals, and young people, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the Church’s mission and ministry within the region.

 

As the BRBC continues its intensive study and deliberations, the spirit of collaboration, discernment, and mission animates each session, promising to enrich both individual participants and the wider ecclesial community in Bengal.

Communio - Prayer.Solidarity.Mission, an initiative of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), was the event partner.

Photo credits: Fr. Kanauj Roy

CCBI Unveils Jubilee 2025 Souvenirs

Jubilee 2025 Souvenirs Unveiled at the 94th Executive Committee Meeting of CCBI

Bengaluru, May 7, 2024. The anticipation for Jubilee 2025 reached new heights as the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) unveiled its commemorative souvenirs for the Jubilee 2025 during the 94^th Executive Committee Meeting held in Bengaluru. 

His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, President of the CCBI, addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of these mementos in heralding the preparations and celebrations for Jubilee 2025.

 

In his felicitation address, Cardinal Ferrão remarked, “These souvenirs act as reminders for Jubilee 2025 preparations and celebrations, that together as pilgrims of hope we continue walking the synodal journey in our local churches and at the Episcopal Conference, searching for the least and the lost of the society.”

His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias of Bombay, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Poola of Hyderabad, Most Rev. George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore, Most Rev. Anil Couto of Delhi, Most Rev. Antony Pappusamy of Madurai, Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara, Director of Communio, and Rev. Fr. Vignan Das Gangula, Associate Director of Communio received the first souvenirs with enthusiasm.

 

The Jubilee 2025 souvenirs, consisting of mugs and keychains, were prepared by the National Facilitating Team for the Jubilee 2025, led by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi. The souvenirs were met with enthusiasm by the attendees, symbolizing not only the forthcoming Jubilee but also the unity and spirit of communion within the Catholic community in India.

 

Furthermore, the endeavour was made possible through the generous support of Communio, whose commitment to fostering communion and solidarity within the Catholic Church facilitated the realisation of this initiative.

 

The unveiling marks an important milestone in the lead-up to the Jubilee 2025, a significant event both for the Church Universal and the Catholic Church in India. These commemorative items serve not only as keepsakes but also as a tangible reminder of the ongoing preparations and the spirit of collaboration within the CCBI.

Dharmapuri Launches the Calendar Jubilee Preparations

Diocese of Dharmapuri Unveils Calendar for Year of Study and Prayer in Preparation for Jubilee 2025 

The Diocese of Dharmapuri proudly launches the calendar for the Year of Study and Prayer, marking a significant milestone in preparation for Jubilee 2025. The unveiling took place amidst the Jubilee Yātra undertaken by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), on Thursday, 2 May 2024, signifying a period of profound spiritual reflection and renewal.

 

His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj, the Local Ordinary, released the calendar, emphasizing the importance of Jubilee 2025 as an opportunity to review and realign pastoral ministry in accordance with the signs of the times and the path of synodality. Speaking at the Bishop’s house during the Monthly Recollection attended by 72 priests and religious, His Excellency urged all present to engage with zeal and enthusiasm in the preparations, with a particular focus on animating the lay faithful.

 

Prior to the release, Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, National Coordinator for Jubilee 2025, introduced the 35 Council Notebooks and 8 Notes on Prayer, released by the Dicastery for Evangelisation, Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World. These resources are poised to guide the faithful on their journey of study and prayer leading up to the Jubilee.

 

Under the leadership of the conveners and with the support of the resource persons, the calendar for the Year of Study and Prayer has been meticulously prepared. This comprehensive document outlines the schedule of events, activities, and initiatives aimed at fostering spiritual growth, reflection, and preparation for Jubilee 2025.

 

The calendar reflects the themes and priorities outlined by Most Rev. Dr. Lawrence Pius Dorairaj for the Year of Study and Prayer, ensuring alignment with the broader objectives of the diocese and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.

 

The event commenced with the Holy Rosary, a symbol of devotion and contemplation, and concluded with Eucharistic adoration, underscoring the centrality of the Eucharist in Catholic worship and spiritual life.

 

Rev. Fr. R. Arulraj and Rev. Fr. A. Susairaj served as the conveners for the preparations, with Rev. Fr. K. Maria Joseph, Rev. Fr. P. John Kennedy, Rev. Fr. A. Alfred Joseph, Rev. Fr. A. Arockia Savariappan, and Rev. Fr. I. Robert acting as resource persons. The meticulous efforts of Rev. Fr. F. George Jackson Louis, who prepared the calendar, have ensured seamless coordination of preparations and celebrations in the Diocese of Dharmapuri.

Communio - Prayer.Solidarity.Mission, an initiative of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), was the event partner.