The Catholic faithful in Uganda have joined the Universal Church in a momentous celebration, marking the official commencement of the Jubilee Year 2025. At the heart of the festivities was the symbolic opening of the Holy Door, a gesture rich in history and spiritual significance.
In Kampala Archdiocese, thousands of faithful gathered at Lubaga Cathedral, where the Holy Door was opened by His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, Archbishop of Kampala. Across Uganda, Bishops in all dioceses performed similar ceremonies, opening the doors of their respective Cathedrals and officially ushering in this year-long celebration of faith, renewal, and reconciliation.
<<Watch the celebrations in Lubaga here (Click here)>>
This historic event follows the launch of the Jubilee Year by Pope Francis on December 24, 2024, during a solemn ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Pope’s opening of the Holy Door on Christmas Eve began a year-long period of grace, running until January 6, 2026, inviting Catholics worldwide to embark on a spiritual pilgrimage of hope and renewal.
A Call to Hope and Renewal
In his homily, Archbishop Ssemogerere urged the faithful to embrace the Jubilee Year’s theme of “Pilgrims of Hope”. He emphasized that this celebration, which coincided with the Feast of the Holy Family, is a reminder to journey with Jesus Christ as a family of faith. Reflecting on Pope Francis’ message, he called for a year marked by fruits of justice, peace, and forgiveness.
The Archbishop echoed the Pope’s concern over global injustices, wars, and the mistreatment of vulnerable people, urging Catholics to pray and act for an end to such suffering. He highlighted the Jubilee Year as a time of reconciliation and renewal, a period to mend divisions and foster unity.
By tradition, passing through the Holy Door grants the faithful a plenary indulgence, symbolizing forgiveness of sins and spiritual renewal. This sacred act invites believers to deepen their relationship with God and one another.
What is a Jubilee Year?
A Jubilee Year, or Holy Year, is a special period in the Catholic Church focused on forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual growth. The 2025 Jubilee is particularly significant, marking the 2,025th anniversary of the birth of Christ, a milestone in the Church’s history.
The Jubilee Year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” reflects its purpose: to inspire believers to live with renewed faith, hope, and love, addressing personal and societal challenges through the lens of Christ’s teachings.
The Holy Door: A Gateway to Holiness
The Holy Door plays a central role in the Jubilee tradition. Symbolizing the passage to holiness and renewal, it invites all who pass through it to embark on a journey of transformation.
The tradition of the Holy Door dates back to Pope Martin V, who first opened it at the Lateran Basilica during the Extraordinary Jubilee of 1423. At St. Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Door was first used in the Jubilee of 1450. Over centuries, its opening has remained a deeply symbolic ritual.
In 1500, Pope Alexander VI formalized the ritual, which has been largely preserved through the ages. The most recent openings of the Holy Door were led by Pope St. John Paul II for the Jubilee Year 2000 and by Pope Francis during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016.
This year, representatives of the universal Church accompanied Pope Francis in crossing the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, setting the stage for millions of pilgrims from around the world to do the same.
A Year of Grace and Pilgrimage
The Jubilee Year offers Catholics an extraordinary opportunity to renew their faith, reconcile with God and others, and reflect on the message of Christ. It is a call to all believers to walk as pilgrims of hope, spreading the fruits of justice, peace, and love in a world in need of healing.
As the Catholic Church in Uganda embraces this Jubilee Year, the faithful are encouraged to deepen their commitment to Christ, seek forgiveness, and work toward building a more just and compassionate society.
Blessings to all as we journey together in this sacred year of grace!
