By Evelyn Jock
Rt. Rev. Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom launched the opening of the Jubilee Year at 6:00 pm on 29 December 2024 at the St. Mary’s Cathedral. Referencing the Rites of the Jubilee Year 2025, the inauguration started at the Parish Hall followed with the solemn pilgrimage procession to the Cathedral. The prelate led the procession with the parish priests from the various parishes of the Diocese of Sandakan, seminarians, altar servers and readers with the Choir chanting ‘Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and always. To him honour and glory forever’. After hailing the cross as the Cross of Christ, our only Hope, he opened the main door and led the people to enter through the doors and thereafter the celebration of the liturgy of the mass. The opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 was celebrated in conjunction with the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a blessed day full of grace. The prelate asked to reflect on the Feast of the Holy Family, a family who encountered crisis and difficulties that shattered their peace; the virginal conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary, the fled to Egypt, the anguish of searching for the missing child Jesus and the death of Joseph, leaving Mary a widow.
Bishop Julius expressed his pleasure in the presence of all the priests, religious, seminarians, and representatives from all the parishes of the Diocese of Sandakan. He proclaimed that St. Mary’s Cathedral will be the centre for the pilgrimage in the Jubilee Year 2025 and that the Marian Rosary Corridor and organised activities awaits the pilgrims with the promise of indulgences. He instructed all the parish priests throughout the Sandakan Diocese to carry out catechesis and to encourage their parishioners to undertake the pilgrimage in order to renew their commitment, faith and conviction that the Lord is our Hope, irregardless of what we are facing in our lives. He encouraged families to follow the example of the Holy Family to have the courage to sow the seed of hope within our families and in others. He reminded of Pope Francis’ statement that forgiveness is the basis of a happy family life, for lack of this, love and care is impossible. However, we can only do all this with the spirit of God, for with God, live changes, joy flourishes and hope does not disappoint. Throughout the Jubilee Year, may we receive the hope of the Gospel, love and forgiveness.
