The Catholic Diocese of Polokwane was among some of the dioceses of the world to launch the Jubilee Year 2025. The Jubilee year was officially inaugurated at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Polokwane on March 01st. The event marked a significant moment for the Diocese, fostering a spirit of optimism amidst challenging circumstances.
Jubilee Year launch started with a procession from outside the door of the first building of the Sacred Heart Cathedral leading to the main church doors. Bishop Jeremiah Masela and Altar servers carried the cross during the Procession symbolising the official inauguration of Jubilee Year 2025, he then blessed the church doors before the procession entered the church.
Representatives of the 15 parishes of the archdiocese, including the clergy, the religious and the faithful of the diocese heeded the call from Bishop Masela to be a part of this historic event that takes place every 25 years in the Catholic Church.
During his homily Bishop Masela stated that the Jubilee is a unique occasion for renewal, restoration and reconciliation, he encouraged congregants to improve their relationship with God and with each other.
“Pilgrim is a journey, the journey of life, the journey of faith and the journey of hope. Hope helps us to hold it together; life is uncertain, but God is always there. As human beings we come across all kinds of challenges on this journey of life. God is saying to us do not give up, God is holding us every step of the way, even when we fall, He will be there to lift us up”.
Bishop Masela called on everyone to get something that will enable them to remember the Lord, he emphasised that Jesus should always be at the centre of each one’s life.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon us because we have been anointed, as Christians we are filled with the Holy Spirit. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit in us that we are able to confront difficult situations and become aware of that spirit. The Holy Spirit that was given to us, the Holy Spirit that is in us, helps us to deal with situations that are described as impossible by human beings”.
“It is important to get something that will remind us of His presence in our daily lives and through all our tribulations. Hope is an assurance from God, when circumstances are uncertain.
Therefore, now is the time to realize that everything else around us has been embraced by God, we should remain strong despite all kinds of oppressions, cultivations and blindness, at the end we are able say, hope does not disappoint”.
“We are called to hold onto our hope as pilgrims on the path of faith, despite the obstacles we face both personally and externally”.
The chairperson of the Senate Rev. Father Godfrey Sekhaolelo elucidated the mission of the Jubilee Year and its significance for the universal Church in this millennium followed by his Secretary Rev. Father John Legodi dissecting all the symbols / aspects on the Jubilee year logo.
After those meaningful explanations, Bishop Masela blessed and lit the Jubilee candles for the fifteen parishes of the diocese then handed them over to representatives of the parishes assisted by the Diocesan Youth chaplain Rev. Father Welcome Maluleka.
With the Jubilee Year 2025 officially launched in the Diocese of Polokwane Bishop Masela invited all the congregants to join him on this unique journey of hope despite the difficulties they encounter and to reignite the courage that comes from our faith in Jesus.
“Hope does not disappoint us for the Love of Christ has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” – Romans 5:5
