Palo, Leyte – Most Rev. John F. Du, D.D., Archbishop of Palo, officially launched the Jubilee Year 2025 on December 29, 2024, during the Feast of the Holy Family. Faithful pilgrims from across the Vicariate of Palo gathered at St. Roch Chaplaincy in Brgy. Arado for a reverent procession leading to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration to mark the beginning of the year-long observance under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Reflecting on Pope Francis’s message, which emphasized God’s boundless mercy in his recent Urbi et Orbi address, Archbishop Du urged the faithful to return to God’s embrace, stating, “The door of God’s heart is always open; let us return to Him! Let us go back to the heart that loves and forgives us! God always forgives! God forgives everything!” The Archbishop underscored the message of Christ’s birth as a symbol of eternal hope and renewal.
In his homily, Archbishop Du called on the congregation to live as “witnesses of hope,” reminding them that the Jubilee Year is an opportunity to grow in faith and spiritual renewal. His words resonated deeply with the faithful, inspiring a renewed commitment to Christ as the source of their hope.
The solemn occasion was attended by the clergy including Rev. Msgr. Gilbert Urbina, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Palo; Rev. Fr. Rodolfo Barro, Rector of the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral; and several other notable figures in the Church, including Rev. Msgr. Erwin Balagapo, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and Rev. Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, CBCP Executive Secretary. A total of 24 concelebrating priests, seminarians, deacons, and members of various religious communities also participated in the sacred liturgy.
As part of the Jubilee observance, Archbishop Du announced the eight designated pilgrim churches across the Archdiocese of Palo, where the faithful can gain plenary indulgences. These sites include:
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration (Palo, Leyte)
- Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño (Tacloban City)
- St. Francis Xavier Church (Abuyog, Leyte)
- Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church (Burauen, Leyte)
- Holy Cross Church (Carigara, Leyte)
- Sts. Peter and Paul Church (Ormoc City)
- St. Francis Xavier Church (Palompon, Leyte)
- Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel (Palo, Leyte)
Archbishop Du encouraged families to enthusiastically embrace the Jubilee Year, urging them to be “living examples of people who never lose hope in a loving and merciful God.” He concluded his homily with a blessing for all families, praying that they would build homes filled with hope, centered in Christ, the true source of hope.
As the faithful journey through the Jubilee Year, they are invited to deepen their faith and strengthen their commitment to Christ, becoming bearers of hope in a world yearning for love and reconciliation.
- Karl Palacio & Chuckie Miñoza