Diocese of Ootacamund Unfurls Jubilee 2025 Flag

The Diocese of Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, celebrated an important step toward Jubilee 2025 by raising the Jubilee flag on Tuesday, 12 November 2024. This was part of the CCBI Jubilee Yātra to the diocese, with around 90 priests and religious gathered for a special day of updates on the Synod for a Synodal Church and the upcoming Jubilee.

His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. A. Amalraj, Bishop of Ootacamund, presided over the gathering, extending a warm welcome to the National Team led by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi. In his address, Bishop Amalraj spoke about the significance of the Jubilee, saying, "Jubilee 2025 is an occasion for celebrating God’s grace and mercy, a time for renewal and for deepening our faith as we journey together as a Church."

Msgr. V. Christopher Lawrence, Vicar General, in his introductory address, highlighted the harmonious vision of the CCBI in linking the Synod, Jubilee 2025, and the Pastoral Plan Mission 2033. He said, "The CCBI has beautifully connected these milestones, setting a clear path for our Church to move forward in mission and unity."

The event, coordinated by Rev. Fr. Stephen Lazer, Procurator and Rev. Fr. Felix Jayakumar, Diocesan Contact Person for Jubilee 2025, included moments of reflection, learning, and fellowship, empowering the participants to carry forward the spirit of Jubilee in their respective ministries.

During the event the outline of the Pastoral Plan 2033 was exposed to the gathering. 

The Diocese of Ootacamund’s Jubilee flag is now a symbol of faith and hope, encouraging everyone to join in this spiritual journey as we prepare for Jubilee 2025.

Photos courtesy: Fr. S. Anthony Raj

Celebrating 25 Years of Ecclesia in Asia

Today (6 November), 25 years ago (1999), Pope Saint John Paul II was in New Delhi, India, to sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia In Asia on Jesus Christ, The Saviour And His Mission Of Love And Service In Asia: "...That They May Have Life, And Have It Abundantly" (Jn 10:10).

Ecclesia in Asia highlights:

Sharing Jesus with All – Showing Jesus' love and salvation to the people of Asia in ways they understand and cherish.

Interfaith Respect – Building peaceful relationships with people of other faiths, honouring Asia’s diverse spiritual traditions.

 

Blending Faith with Culture – Bringing the Gospel to life in ways that respect and celebrate Asian cultures.

Serving Those in Need – Standing with the poor and vulnerable, being a sign of hope and love for all.

On the occasion of this Silver Jubilee, the Pontifical Mission Organizations India, Pontifical Missionary Union Rome, CCBI Desk for Synod and Jubilee, CCBI Commission for Proclamation, and CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine will be organizing a symposium on “Towards a Synodal Church in Asia: Re-Reading Ecclesia in Asia for the Jubilee Year.”

📅 Date: December 13-14, 2024

📍 Venue: St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka

As we journey towards the Jubilee Year, this gathering will explore how Ecclesia in Asia can guide us in fostering a more synodal, inclusive, and vibrant Church across Asia. Let us come together, inspired by this vision, to renew our commitment to living and sharing the Good News with love, humility, and courage!

#EcclesiaInAsia #25Years #SynodalChurch #MissionOfLove #PontificalMissionOrganizations #CCBI

Images courtesy: Getty Images

Meet Luce, the Guiding Light

On 28 October 2024, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization: Section for Fundamental Questions concerning the Evangelization in the World, "Luce" (= 'Light' in English) the official mascot symbolizing the journey towards the Jubilee 2025!

Representing hope, joy, and unity, Luce is a beacon, inviting us all to walk together in faith and witness to the Light of Christ. 

This vibrant mascot is a reminder that in a world often filled with darkness, we are all called to be lights, shining with love, compassion, and solidarity.  As we journey together towards the Jubilee, may Luce inspire us to deepen our commitment to the Gospel and radiate Christ’s love wherever we go.

Luce has blue hair and wears a yellow rain jacket, which is coloured in reference to the flag of the Vatican City as well as a symbol for "journeying through life's storms". She carries a pilgrim's staff, which represents "the pilgrimage toward eternity", and wears mud-stained boots to represent "a long and difficult journey". Her eyes have highlights in the shape of a scallop shell, a traditional symbol of Catholic pilgrimage, as shells were used in place of a chalice before they were commonplace; her shining eyes were described as "a symbol of the hope of the heart". Luce also wears a rosary around her neck.

Simone Legno, Luce's designer, said that he hoped "Luce can represent the sentiments that resonate in the hearts of the younger generations". 

Let Luce be our guide, bringing people from all walks of life closer to God’s unending grace. 

#Jubilee2025 #Luce #GuidingLight

Text inspired by Wikipedia.

Images courtesy: Forbes

Khammam Priests and Religious Prepare for Jubilee 2025

Muthangi, Hyderabad - November 4, 2024 – In preparation for the Jubilee 2025 celebrations, priests and religious from the Diocese of Khammam (Telangana) gathered at Muthangi as part of their annual retreat to discuss the spiritual and pastoral direction set for this momentous occasion. 

Led by His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. Prakash Sagili, Bishop of Khammam, the gathering marked a crucial step towards embracing the Jubilee themes of renewal, unity, and synodality.

The session provided an introduction to the Final Document of the Synod for a Synodal Church, along with Jubilee 2025 preparations and celebrations. Speaking to the diocesan assembly, Bishop Sagili noted, “Jubilee 2025 is a time for universal and local renewal.” 

This sentiment was echoed by Rev. Fr. Srikanth Marsakatla. A focal point of the retreat was a planning meeting where Msgr. Showry Thappeta expressed the diocese’s commitment, stating, “The Diocese of Khammam readily implements the proposals.” This strong support paves the way for significant initiatives as part of the Jubilee celebrations.

The CCBI Jubilee 2025 National Team, led by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi as part of Jubilee Yātra, presented an inspiring vision for the decade leading up to 2033. Key highlights included the introduction of the Pastoral Plan 2033, the launch of the Catholic Connect App, and updates on the initiatives of Pontifical Mission Organizations India and Communio. These tools and plans aim to strengthen community engagement and support missionary endeavors within the diocese and beyond.

This event was generously sponsored by Communio, and was coordinated by Rev. Fr. Joaness Gunda, Chancellor of the Diocese and the Diocesan Contact Person for Jubilee 2025. 

The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the Khammam clergy and religious underscore their readiness to journey together toward Jubilee 2025, heeding the call for a Church that is ever more united, renewed, and responsive to the needs of the faithful.

Photos courtesy: Rev. Fr. Vijay Tudum