By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan
The Archdiocese of Jaro has selected seven churches in Iloilo City and the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras as official pilgrimage sites for the 2025 Jubilee Year, a ‘Holy Year’ for the Roman Catholic Church.
Fr. Angelo Colada, director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communication, said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, with input from Jaro Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo, designated the following churches:
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles (Jaro Cathedral, Iloilo City)
- Holy Rosary Chapel of the Dominican Sisters (Molo, Iloilo City)
- San Nicolas de Tolentino Church (Cabatuan, Iloilo)
- Saint Thomas of Villanova Parish (Miagao, Iloilo)
- Patronage of St. Joseph Parish (Pototan, Iloilo)
- Sts. Peter and Paul the Apostles Parish (Barotac Viejo, Iloilo)
- St. Michael the Archangel Parish (Jordan, Guimaras)
“The seven churches will hold simultaneous celebrations and serve as pilgrimage sites where people can visit to receive graces, also known as ‘indulgences,’” Colada said.
He noted that the historical and geographical significance of these churches were key factors in their selection.
“These are historically significant, old churches. Beyond that, they are distributed across the diocese—Miagao in the south, Barotac Viejo in the north, Guimaras, central Iloilo in Pototan, and of course, the Jaro Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese,” he explained.
Local dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Jaro, will begin Jubilee Year celebrations on Dec. 29, during the Feast of the Holy Family.
ABOUT THE JUBILEE
The 2025 Jubilee Year is the 28th iteration of this Catholic tradition, initiated by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300.
The term “Jubilee” originates from the Hebrew word yobel, meaning “ram’s horn,” traditionally blown to signify the start of a Jubilee Year.
“In the Bible, the Jewish people celebrated Jubilee Year every 50 years, but in the Church, we observe it every 25 years,” Colada explained.
Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year, themed the “Year of Hope,” by opening the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 24, 2024.
The tradition of opening a Holy Door dates back to the 1423 Extraordinary Jubilee, when Pope Martin V initiated the custom at St. John Lateran Basilica.
“The Holy Door opening reminds us that Jesus is the door of the ‘sheep.’ It signifies forgiveness, reconciliation, renewal, and building relationships with God and each other,” Colada said.
The 2025 Jubilee is expected to draw pilgrims from across the region to these designated sites.
