On Christmas Eve 2024, Pope Francis officially inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope by opening the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. The theme is Spes Non Confundit – Hope does not Disappoint (Romans 5:5) Pope Francis prayed, ‘During the Holy Year, may the light of Christian hope illumine every man and woman, as a message of God’s love addressed to all, and may the Church bear faithful witness to this message in every part of the world, to pray, to prepare ourselves throughout this year, so that this Jubilee may strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope."
On Sunday, 29 December 2024, Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, celebrated the Opening Mass for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Penang. The celebration began with the rite of opening, featuring the trumpeting of the shofar and a procession of banners from all the parishes and the Penang diocese. At the end of the mass, Bishop of Penang officially launched the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 by unfurling the Jubilee Banner and declaring the year opened accompanied by the blowing of the shofar. Today, Pope Francis, the Holy Spirit and Bishop, encourage all to begin their pilgrimage with renewal and reconciliation, journeying together with the entire Catholic Church, as one Body of Christ in a shared journey of faith. Be prepared for the Holy Spirit to surprise us on this pilgrimage!
Concelebrants for the mass included Bishop Emeritus Anthony Selvanayagam, Msgr. Henry Rajoo, Msgr. Jude Miranda, Msgr. Stephen Liew, Fr. Joachim Robert, Fr. Martin Arlando (overall Coordinator of Jubilee Year in Penang Diocese) and Deacon Andrew Loh.
In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian shared a story of Hope. As Pilgrims of Hope, we must embrace the thrill of Hope and always keep Hope alive! Be guided by the Archangel Gabriel, the Holy Spirit, and soon-to-be saint Blessed Carlo Acutis. This Divine Gift of Hope never gives up, does not despair and is always alive. Cardinal Sebastian cited the Feast of the Holy Family as a model of Hope, highlighting how the Holy Family faced earthly challenges that reflect the pilgrimage of Hope.
Cardinal Sebastian emphasized that the key to begin this pilgrimage of Hope, as stated by the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2024, is CONVERSION. Conversion is simply to repent and believe in the Gospel. How do we do it? John the Baptist says that whoever has two tunics should share with those who have none and whoever has food should do the same. Drawing on the parable of the Prodigal Son, Pope Francis, the Holy Spirit and Cardinal Sebastian invites us all to move from the mud of the pig’s farm and return home to the Father.
In this pilgrimage we will discover the connection between Faith, Hope and Charity. Pray to the Holy Spirit for the Gift of Faith, the Hope to return home and Charity that follows. Hope allows us to dream dreams and see visions about the future as it unfolds in God’s plan for Creation, Humanity, and the Church. This promise of the ultimate future fills us with Faith and Hope to fully embrace the present and be Missionary Disciples of Joy, Mercy and Hope.
Being pilgrims of Joy, Mercy and Hope involves the total immersion of oneself, encompassing body, soul and spirit. Make a pilgrimage from the HEAD (thoughts) through the ears (messages) and eyes (visuals) and move to the HEART, pondering like Mary. From the heart, continue the pilgrimage to your HANDS and FEET putting faith in action.
Addressing the youth pilgrims, Bishop of Penang conveyed an invitation from Pope Francis, the soon-to-be saint Blessed Carlo Acutis, and himself, for the young to become digital missionaries. They are encouraged to use the internet courageously to share stories of hope on social media while also participating in physical pilgrimages, sweating it out with friends, and using the ever-present smartphone as a tool for spreading the Good News!
We, Pope Francis, soon-to-be saint Blessed Carlo Acutis and I, send the children, young and elderly, healthy and sick, saints and sinners, apostles and disciples, to begin this pilgrimage today, 29th December 2024 until 28th December 2025 with the Trinitarian blessings of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. “MARANATHA!”
The designated Pilgrim Churches in the Diocese of Penang is the:
1. Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Permatang Tinggi, Penang.
2. Church of the Assumption, Georgetown, Penang and
3. Chapel of Annai Vellanganny (Our Lady of Good Health), Jelapang, Ipoh, Perak.
Christopher Kushi
