The inauguration of the Jubilee Year 2025 and the Ruby Jubilee of St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli, was a remarkable and spiritually uplifting event. The celebrations began with a vibrant procession from St. Claret PU College to the church, where flags representing both the Jubilee Year and the Ruby Jubilee (1985–2025) were proudly carried, symbolizing unity, hope, and gratitude.

The event was led by our parish priest, Msgr. Sunny Mathew CMF (James Kunnampadavil), who lit the Jubilee Year candle, marking the beginning of a sacred time for renewal and thanksgiving.

This year is especially significant as we celebrate 40 blessed years of our parish’s spiritual journey, highlighting decades of growth, devotion, and service.

A Jubilee Year, traditionally proclaimed by the Universal Church every 25 years, is a time set aside for spiritual renewal, repentance, and forgiveness. Its roots can be traced to the Hebrew tradition recorded in Leviticus, where every 50th year was celebrated by the freeing of slaves and the forgiveness of debts. The first Christian Jubilee was instituted by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. Since then, each Jubilee has been a year of grace and forgiveness, offering the faithful a chance to receive plenary indulgences.

A plenary indulgence is a complete remission of the temporal punishment due to sins that have already been forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession. It can be applied to oneself or to souls in purgatory. To receive this grace, the faithful must fulfill three key conditions:

1. Sacramental Confession and reception of the Holy Eucharist.
2. Prayers for the Pope’s intentions (including the Our Father and Hail Mary).
3. Detachment from all sin, even venial sin.

During this Jubilee Year, plenary indulgences are attached to specific acts of devotion, including pilgrimages to designated churches.

The Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” began with Pope Francis’ traditional opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24th, 2024, and will continue until its solemn closing on January 6th, 2026. Pope Francis invites every one of us to embark on a pilgrimage of hope, saying, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision.”

 

We are blessed to announce that St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli, has been designated as one of the pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Mandya for obtaining plenary indulgences. Special arrangements, including opportunities for confession, prayer spaces, and spiritual counseling, will support pilgrims on their journey of faith and hope.

This dual celebration — the Jubilee Year and our Ruby Jubilee — invites each one of us to reflect on our spiritual journey, express gratitude for God’s blessings, and look forward with hope and trust in His providence.