Indian Bishops Read 35 Council Notebooks # Jubilee 2025

Bengaluru, India – February 3, 2024 - In a momentous occasion at the 36th General Body Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), Indian bishops (of the Latin Church, Syro-Malabar Church, and Syro-Malankara Church) studied the 35 Council Notebooks, published by the Dicastery for Evangelization: Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World for the preparations towards the Ordinary Jubilee 2025, marking a significant milestone in the journey of the Catholic Church in India. 

His Grace Most Rev. Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of Thrissur Eparchy and the President of the CBCI, said, “The 35 Council Notebooks represent a journey of faith, reflection, and adaptation. They offer summary, background, and contextual reflections on the Second Vatican Council and the Four Constitutions. As we read these books and reflect, we also look forward to Jubilee 2025 with renewed hope and determination."

 

Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi, the National Coordinator for the Ordinary Jubilee 2025, setting the context of the study of the Council Notebooks, presented the highlights of the 35 Council Notebooks. He remarked, “The Council Notebooks are a treasure house of the Church’s reflections over the years. They showcase the depth of our engagement with the world and our commitment to living out the Gospel in diverse contexts. As we prepare for the Ordinary Jubilee 2025, the insights from these Notebooks will guide our collective discernment and inspire renewed efforts towards the Church’s mission." 

 

“The Ordinary Jubilee 2025 holds special significance as it calls the Catholic Church to a period of reflection, celebration, and renewal. The Council Notebooks will play a pivotal role in shaping the discussions and initiatives during this Jubilee year, providing a foundation for the Church's continued journey in India,” endorsed His Grace Most Rev. Dr. George Antonysamy, Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore and Vice-President of the CBCI.

 

Jubilee 2025, a momentous event on the ecclesiastical calendar, is poised to be a year of celebration, reflection, and renewal for the Catholic Church in India. The Council Notebooks will play a pivotal role in shaping the discussions and initiatives during Jubilee 2025, providing a foundation for the Church’s future endeavours.

 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) is the apex body of the Catholic Church in India, comprising of three Churches, representing the interests and concerns of the Catholic Bishops in the country. Committed to the service of the nation and humanity, CBCI plays a vital role in coordinating the activities of the Catholic Church and fostering unity among its members. 

The 36^th General Body gathered from 31 January to 7 February 2024, at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, reflects on “the Church’s response to the present socio-political realities of the country and artificial intelligence.” The occasion is marked by prayer, deliberation on current challenges, and a collective commitment to advancing the mission of the Church in the diverse and dynamic context of India.

The highlights of the 35 Council Notebooks were prepared by the National Facilitating Team of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), and the work is powered by Communio. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India along with ATC Publishers has published the English Translation of the original in Italian.

[images: Ave Studios, Archdiocese of Bangalore]

Jubilee Yātra in the Diocese of Mangalore

In a significant step towards spiritual rejuvenation and communal unity, an Ongoing Formation for the Clergy of the Diocese of Mangalore was conducted as part of the Jubilee Yātra for the Holy Year 2025 at Shanthi Kiran Pastoral Centre in Bajjodi, Mangalore.  Over two enlightening days, 17 and 18 January 2024, the clergy engaged in a prayerful journey guided by the methods of the Jubilee Yātra.

Reflecting on the significance of the Jubilee Yātra, His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, said, “The Jubilee Yātra is a preparation for the Jubilee 2025 through study and prayer. What we are reflecting here is not something new but are revising, revisiting what we had learned during formation, and lived in priestly ministry. This Yātra will lead us to celebrate Jesus, celebrate the Church, and celebrate us, our faith life."

Rev. Dr Yesu Karunanidhi, National Coordinator of the Jubilee 2025, facilitated the programme. He emphasized the transformative nature of the Jubilee Yātra, describing it as a journey of the heart that unites priests, religious, and lay faithful on a shared path of reflection, renewal, and rekindled hope.

“As part of the Jubilee Yātra, a total of 132 Dioceses of the Church in India are slated to be visited, culminating in the grand celebration of the Jubilee in November 2025,” said Rev. Dr Yesu Karunanidhi. 

The programme, aptly titled “Pilgrims of Hope on the Synodal Journey: Integrated Pathways for Pastoral Ministry,” illuminated key aspects such as the Synodal Journey, Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, Celebrating the Synod, and the Jubilee 2025. Participants delved into the study of the four Constitutions of the Vatican Council II, paving the way for enhanced Pastoral Ministry.

Guided by the methods of the Jubilee Yātra, the diocesan clergy embarked on a prayerful, reflective, and positive transformative journey. Group discussions, personal reflections, and the sharing of insights on the synodal way of living in pastoral life were integral components. The programme also explored personalised approaches to celebrating Jubilee 2025.

A gathering of around 75 priests from the Episcopal City, Mangalore City, Pezar, Surthkal, and Vittal Deaneries actively participated in the enlightening sessions. The remaining priests from Bela, Belthangady, Bantwal, Kirem, Permannur, Puttur, and Moodbidri are set to join the formation on January 18, 2023.

About Jubilee Yātra: 

The Jubilee Yātra is not a journey on foot, but a pilgrimage of heart; it is not a physical journey, but a spiritual voyage that seeks to connect believers across the Country in a shared pursuit of hope. Renewal, reflection, and consciousness are the milestones of the journey.

The objectives of the Jubilee Yātra are: (i) To disseminate the information concerning the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 integrating it with the Synod for a Synodal Church so that more people are brought to ‘synodal-consciousness’ as our Hope Father Pope Francis puts it; (ii) To introduce the Documents of the Second Vatican Council, especially the Four Constitutions, by bringing out the key themes and making them contextual to the life-realities of the people; and (iii) To familiarise the Catholic faithful with different forms and methods of prayer. All these objectives will lead to the goal of the ordinary Jubilee 2025 that we become ‘pilgrims of hope’ in the Church and the world.

[Write-up and photo courtesy: Fr. Anil Ivan Fernandes, Mangalore]