As Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the evening of 24 December 2024, he inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025 of Hope. With the liturgical gesture of the Door’s opening at New Year Mass, The Diocese of Rourkela officially opened the Jubilee year 2025 calling the Priests, religious and lay faithful of the diocese in preparation and celebration of the Jubilee year meaningfully. Similarly, on the 5th of January 2025, every parish of the Diocese, including the Catholic Church in Kalunga, launched its Jubilee Year celebration, marking a significant milestone in the parish’s spiritual life. Kalunga parish, one of the 44 parishes run by the Redemptorists within the diocese, was filled with anticipation and joy as it inaugurated this momentous occasion. Despite the freezing cold early in the morning, the faithful gathered in large numbers, demonstrating their commitment and enthusiasm to participate in this special event. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Samir Kujur, CSsR, the Parish Priest of Kalunga, who was joined by numerous priests and religious from neighbouring communities and formation houses.
The Jubilee Year is a special period in the Catholic Church that encourages spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and community celebration. The inauguration of this year at Kalunga was a significant event not only for the local community but also for the larger diocese of Rourkela. As one of the oldest parishes in the diocese, Kalunga has a rich history that stretches back many decades, and this Jubilee Year marks the beginning of a new chapter for the faithful, filled with grace, prayer, and reflection.
The Ceremony and the Opening Rituals
The day began with a solemn opening prayer, led by Fr. Samir, who called the faithful to join in prayerful anticipation of the year ahead. As part of the opening rituals, the congregation witnessed the blessing of flags and water, which would be later used for sprinkling during the Mass. These symbols are rich in Christian tradition, representing purity, renewal, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The faithful were then invited to participate in a procession that was both symbolic and liturgical. Leading the procession were the Cross and the Bible, which were carried to the altar as a visual representation of the faith journey that the parish was undertaking together. This procession was a reminder to all that the parish’s pilgrimage of faith is rooted in the Word of God and the cross of Christ.
The congregation’s participation in the procession set the tone for the liturgical celebration that followed. It was a moment of unity, as the representatives of different communities walked together in faith, moving toward the altar where they celebrated the Holy Eucharist and received the grace of the Lord. The procession also emphasized the collective nature of the Jubilee Year, where every member of the parish is invited to partake in the blessings and graces of the year.
The Solemn Holy Mass
Following the opening rituals, the Holy Mass began, Fr. Samir was the main celebrant. During his homily, Fr. Samir took the congregation on a historical journey, explaining the significance of the Jubilee Year. He spoke about the origins of the Jubilee in the Church, dating back to the 1300s, and how the tradition has evolved over time. Traditionally, the Jubilee Year was celebrated every 100 years, but in modern times, the Church has adapted this to a 25-year cycle, allowing for more frequent celebrations of grace, renewal, and spiritual growth.
Fr. Samir explained that the Jubilee Year is not just a time of celebration, but also a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal of one’s relationship with God. He emphasized that the purpose of the Jubilee is to deepen one’s faith and to strengthen the bonds of community and love within the parish. The faithful were encouraged to use the Jubilee Year as an opportunity for spiritual growth, to renew their commitment to Christ, and to come together as a Church united in prayer and service.
In addition to his reflection on the historical significance of the Jubilee, Fr. Samir also took the time to explain the new logo for the Jubilee Year 2025. The logo was designed to visually represent the theme of the Jubilee, with its vibrant colors and symbolic elements. He encouraged the congregation to reflect on the meaning of the logo and to let it serve as a reminder of the graces they would receive throughout the year.
Music and Cultural Performances
The celebration was made even more joyful by the participation of the Dandiapalli choir group, which conducted the hymns during the Mass. Their harmonies filled the ground, creating an atmosphere of reverence and joy. The choir’s participation highlighted the importance of music in worship and its ability to lift the hearts of the faithful toward God. The hymns, carefully selected for the occasion, were a fitting tribute to the Jubilee Year, and their melodies resonated deeply with everyone present.
After the Mass, the Dalakudar girls performed a jubilant Jubilee song, composed by Fr. Samir himself, a cultural and festive expression of the parish’s faith and unity. The song was both a celebration of the parish’s history and a proclamation of hope for the future. The performance was met with great enthusiasm and applause, reflecting the joy and excitement of the community as they embarked on this special year together.
A Symbol of Renewal: The Jubilee Flag
The conclusion of the Jubilee Year inauguration ceremony was marked by a gesture that would carry the spirit of the Jubilee into every home. Fr. Samir encouraged the faithful to take home a Jubilee flag as a symbol of their participation in the year-long celebration. The flags were meant to serve as reminders of the spiritual renewal and grace that the Jubilee Year offers. Families were encouraged to display the flag in their homes as a sign of their commitment to the Church and to continue reflecting on the themes of the Jubilee throughout the year.
The invitation to take the flag home was not just a symbolic gesture, but also an opportunity for each family to be an active part of the Jubilee celebration. By displaying the flag, families could serve as witnesses to the hope, peace, and renewal that the Jubilee Year represents, not only within the parish but in their own lives.
A Year of Grace and Renewal
The inauguration of the Jubilee Year at the RC Church Kalunga was a momentous occasion, not just for the parish but for the entire Rourkela Diocese. It marked the beginning of a year of grace, renewal, and spiritual growth for all who are part of the Kalunga community. The celebrations and rituals were deeply meaningful, providing a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, unity, and the call to holiness that the Church offers through such a special event. The parishioners left the church that day with hearts full of hope, ready to embrace the spiritual journey ahead as they moved forward together in faith and celebration.
Fr. Erenius Ekka, CSsR.
