National Jubilee Celebration in Bangladesh Calls for Renewal and Hope

The Catholic Church of Bangladesh marked the Jubilee Year 2025 with a national celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Dhaka, on November 8.

Organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, the event carried the theme “Pilgrims of Hope: Joy in Communion.”

The solemn Jubilee Mass was presided over by Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI of Dhaka, with the participation of nine bishops from eight dioceses. Over 500 faithful, including priests and religious sisters, joined the celebration.

Among the distinguished guests present were Archbishop Kevin Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh; Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario of Dhaka, CSC; Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Theotonius Gomes, CSC of Dhaka.

Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI of Dhaka officially inaugurated the Jubilee celebration. After a moment of solemn prayer, the faithful entered the church through the Holy Door, symbolizing the opening of grace for this sacred year.

In his opening address, Bishop Paul Ponen Kubi, CSC, Secretary General of CBCB, greeted everyone warmly and said, “Pilgrims of Hope means journeying together as one Church, awakening hope in a society overwhelmed by despair and opening our hearts to receive God’s mercy.”

Reflecting on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope: A Festival of Joy and Communion,” Bishop Emmanuel K. Rozario of Barishal, shared, “The true spirit of Jubilee is one of complete liberation and renewal. A Jubilee Year is a time to return home, to rediscover what was lost, and to restore what is broken.”

He further added, “Throughout the past year, we have prepared for this Christ’s Nativity Jubilee through prayer, reflection, spiritual exercises, and works of mercy. With the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ we now celebrate the long-awaited Jubilee of 2025, a Holy Year, a time to receive the abundant grace of God.”

In his homily, Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka Archdiocese emphasized, “Hope guides people along their journey, cultivates a positive mindset, transforms hearts, reconciles us with God, and renews love.”

Noting that society in Bangladesh often lacks optimism, the archbishop remarked, “When we gather for discussions, we sometimes prefer to criticize others, which discourages both ourselves and those we speak about. But when we recognize and affirm one another, we nurture hope and overcome despair.”

He concluded, “Since God Himself is the source of hope, we must pray to Him to receive the power of hope.”

After the Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Kevin Randall and Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario delivered short messages. Quoting Pope Francis, Archbishop Randall said, “Hope is the central theme of the Jubilee, it calls all Christians to become Pilgrims of Hope.”

Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario added, “The hope granted to us must remain open in our hearts. In this time of endless and escalating wars, the Jubilee’s theme carries deep symbolic meaning. Hope never disappoints, for we are saved in hope.”

Participant Raphael Gomes shared his personal reflection, “Today I am truly filled with joy. After long spiritual preparation for the Jubilee, I am blessed to celebrate Christ’s Nativity Jubilee together with everyone. This Jubilee Year is a grace and blessing for my life.”

The day-long celebration included prayer services, greetings and messages, the national anthem and flag hoisting, expressions of respect and gratitude, traditional welcome dances, release of peace doves, balloon inauguration, and a documentary video presentation on the Jubilee Year.

It is noteworthy that the Jubilee of the Nativity of Christ 2025 was formally inaugurated on December 24, 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, and it will conclude on January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, with the closing of the Holy Door.