Invitation to the Closing Mass for the Year of the Jubilee - December 28, 2025 at 5:00PM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

May Jesus and Mary be in your hearts.

I am reaching out to you as we immerse ourselves in the Advent journey culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

As you know, we will soon reach the conclusion of the Holy Year for the Catholic Church worldwide. This tradition dates back to the year 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII announced the first Jubilee, also referred to as a “Holy Year”.

Last December, we officially launched the Year of Jubilee in our archdiocese. I also had the opportunity, along with our Auxiliary Bishops to celebrate the Jubilee through regional celebrations at parishes identified as special Jubilee pilgrimage churches. I sincerely thank these parishes for welcoming pilgrims throughout the Holy Year, serving as places of prayer, welcome, reflection, and reconciliation.

I wish to extend a warm invitation to the faithful of the archdiocese to join with me for the closing Mass for the Holy Year of Jubilee on Sunday 28 December 2025 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica at 5:00 p.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available with numerous priests present from 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. All are most welcome.

Likewise, there will be celebrations for the closure of the Holy Year locally and regionally at the designated pilgrimage parish churches.

The theme for this Jubilee Year has been “Pilgrims of Hope”. We have enjoyed a tremendous outpouring of blessings at the local and archdiocesan level during this past year. We gathered in large numbers at the Martrys’ Shrine, a holy and historic place of worship in our archdiocese while globally, more than 100 pilgrims came together for a special pilgrimage to Rome in November, entering the Holy Doors of the four basilicas, bringing with us the prayers and intentions of our archdiocesan family. I know that many parishes, schools, lay movements, clergy, and consecrated persons also organized special Jubilee Year celebrations, speakers, events and social outreach activities to bring the gift of hope to those in our midst. I have also been particularly moved by the large numbers of pilgrims celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I am eternally grateful for the fruits of our labour and pray that this Jubilee Year has stirred and nurtured the seeds of faith within each one of us and sparked a joy and love for our Lord and our faith that will continue beyond a designated year, accompanying us in our daily spiritual journey.

Hoping to see you on December 28^th and please know of my gratitude for your efforts to bring hope and the face of Jesus to all those whom you encounter each day.