Firm in faith, active in charity and steadfast in hope: Archdiocese of Davao opened the Jubilee Year 2025

In his Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, entitled Spes Non Confundit, Pope Francis writes, “I further decree that on Sunday, 29 December 2024, in every cathedral and co-cathedral, diocesan bishops are to celebrate Holy Mass as the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year, using the ritual indications that will be provided for that occasion.”

In response to this decree, the Archdiocese of Davao led by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., opened the Jubilee Year 2025 last December 29, Feast of the Holy Family, in San Pedro Cathedral at 6:30 in the morning. Presiding over the Holy Mass, Archbishop Valles with the whole Church of Davao showed communion with Holy Mother Church in Rome celebrating this time of grace. Priests and lay people were also invited to participate in the said opening Mass.

Having concluded recently the gift of faith, hope and love as a local Church of Davao, Archbishop Valles reminded the faithful of the hope that each one brings for the year 2025. As expected for the Jubilee Year 2025, the fruits of our Diamond Jubilee as Church of Davao will continue to cascade in our Basic Ecclesial Communities being called to become good stewards of hope.

Acting locally and thinking globally, the Archdiocese of Davao heeds the hope that the Jubilee Year offers. As Pope Francis says, “The Holy Year will also guide our steps towards yet another fundamental celebration for all Christians: 2033 will mark the two thousandth anniversary of the redemption won by the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We are about to make a pilgrimage marked by great events, in which the grace of God precedes and accompanies his people as they press forward firm in faith, active in charity and steadfast in hope (cf. 1 Thess 1:3).”