Pilgrims of Hope: How Jubilee 2025 Renewed Faith and Communion in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman

The Ordinary Jubilee 2025 in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, southwest India, unfolded as a lived experience of hope, communion, and renewal. Reflected through the voices of bishops, priests, religious, seminarians, and lay faithful, the Jubilee revealed how grace touched everyday faith, parish life, and personal conversion across the Archdiocese.

Leading a Jubilee of Communion and Hope

Reflecting on the Jubilee Year in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes, Convenor of the Jubilee Year Committee, described it as a journey of communion, hope, and renewal. “The Jubilee invited us to journey as a synodal Church with people from all walks of life,” he said, noting that the celebrations were shaped by an inclusive and participatory spirit.

“We wanted the Jubilee to be a concrete sign of hope,” he said, adding that outreach to the marginalised focused on bringing people together in joy while affirming their dignity. Bishop Fernandes also highlighted the Jubilee Cross as a strong symbol of unity. “Made from 198 pieces of wood representing our parishes and resident chapels, it became a visible sign of our communion as one Archdiocesan family.”

“Parishes became more inclusive and alive through diverse Jubilee celebrations,” he remarked, adding that pilgrimages fostered spiritual enrichment and that nearly 36 Jubilee initiatives helped the Church rediscover its mission of bringing hope to all, beyond barriers of caste, creed, or religion.

Deepening Faith and Embracing Hope

For Ryan Mascarenhas, a third-year theologian at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, the Jubilee Year deepened his understanding of priestly vocation as patient and concrete service. Through the Jubilee celebrations, he became more aware of the varied spiritual, social, and cultural needs within parish life. “Each celebration revealed people waiting—for presence, consolation, justice, the sacraments, and attentive listening,” he said, noting that this insight was especially strengthened during the Jubilee of Seminarians at Sanguem.

Quoting the Gospel, “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Mt 9:37–38)—Ryan said the Jubilee transformed this prayer into a personal call to ministry. He added that it inspired hope for a Church committed to ecological conversion, social solidarity, and bridge-building through integrated pastoral action.

For Joyston Fernandes, a young Catholic from the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, the Jubilee Year became a journey of discovery and interior renewal. Reflecting on his experience, he shared that the Jubilee opened his mind to explore the history of the Church and its teachings, especially the deeper meaning of pilgrimages and the grace of indulgences.

“The message I took was that of hope for forgiveness,” Joyston added, noting that praying for the souls in purgatory has become a daily commitment he hopes to live out as a young Catholic.

Living Mercy, Witnessing Faith

For Feliza Gomes, a young volunteer in the Social Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, the Jubilee Year was a journey of mercy, healing, and hope. It deepened her understanding of Christ’s mission and called her to live it more faithfully. While she previously focused on the Corporal Works of Mercy, the Jubilee inspired her to embrace the Spiritual Works through counselling, forgiveness, prayer, and guidance.

“The Jubilee reminded me that mercy is not only something we receive, but something we are called to live and share,” she said. A defining moment came during The Easter Story, a motorcycle tour organised by Fr Savio Fernandes, visiting institutions for orphans, the terminally ill, and the elderly. A visit to OPM, a Centre for Unwed Mothers, managed by Caritas-Goa,  transformed her view of unwed mothers: “We are often quick to judge without knowing what a person has endured,” she reflected, learning that compassion lies at the heart of Christ’s message.

Sr. Daisy Kunnathuparambil, JMJ, Vice President of the CRI Goa Unit, described Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” as a strong call to personal and communal renewal. Through pilgrimages, frequent reception of the sacraments, acts of mercy, and communal reflection, the Jubilee deepened trust in God’s providence amid trials. In her hospital ministry, daily service to the sick became a lived pilgrimage of hope and consecrated fidelity.

She noted that Jubilee initiatives such as medical camps, environmental efforts, and outreach to migrants highlighted religious life as a prophetic witness, called today to accompany the vulnerable, foster healing, and keep hope alive through prayerful service and compassionate presence.

Renewal, Participation, and Joyful Service

For Canon Fr Alfred Vaz, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Batim, and President of the Cathedral Chapter, Goa, the Jubilee Year infused parish life with renewed vigour and hope. “Every Jubilee celebration was accompanied by catechesis, which enlightened the faithful and added meaning both to their lives and to the celebrations,” he said.

Fr Vaz noted that the parish followed a month-wise pastoral plan highlighting specific themes that invited active participation from the people. While acknowledging that not everyone responded in the same way, he pointed to concrete signs of renewal. “There were efforts at settling disputes, working towards reconciliation of relationships, and sharing responsibilities, and these bore fruit to a great extent,” he said. According to him, the positive response offers hope that the spirit of the Jubilee can continue to shape parish life even beyond the Jubilee Year.

For Natty Araujo, a parishioner of São Matias Church, the Jubilee Year was a time of grace and joyful participation. She said it brought her “knowledge, wisdom, and light from the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ,” drawing her deeper into parish life through shared celebrations, cooking, and serving the community. Looking ahead, Natty expressed a desire to continue this spirit beyond the Jubilee. “I wish to pray more, keep my family closer to the loving Lord, and serve the parish wherever I can,” she said.

As the Jubilee concluded on December 28, 2025 in the Archdiocese, the diverse voices echoed a single message: the Jubilee transformed lives through hope, mercy, and renewed commitment.