32 Cebu churches designated as Jubilee Churches

CEBU, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Cebu has officially designated 32 churches as "Jubilee Churches" for the celebration of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025.

These pilgrim churches will provide the faithful with a chance to reflect deeply, seek conversion, and experience God s infinite mercy during the jubilee year.

The theme Pilgrims of Hope marks this special year, which will begin on December 24, 2024, when Pope Francis opens the Holy Door at St. Peter s Basilica and leads a Mass.

Rev. Fr. Glenn Theresse Guanzon explained that since Cebu does not have a Holy Door, the chosen shrines and cathedrals will serve as places of prayer for pilgrims who cannot travel to Rome.

Wa man tay holy door and we might think only entering the holy door na makakuha tag indulgence. But indulgences can be achieved through the celebration of the sources of grace and these are the sacraments, said Fr. Guanzon.

During the press briefing, the Archdiocese disclosed that the Jubilee churches were divided into eight districts: Metro Cebu North, Metro Cebu South, Southeast Cebu, Southwest Cebu, Northwest Cebu, Far North Cebu, Mid North Cebu, and Near North Cebu.

These are the following churches for Metro Cebu North: Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Therese of Child Jesus, and Parish and National Shrine of Virgen de Regla, Lapu-Lapu City.

For Metro Cebu South, the churches are: the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Minglanilla, Cebu; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, City of Naga; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Teresa de Avila, Talisay City.

Meanwhile, southeast Cebu pilgrims can visit the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, in Carcar City; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Michael Archangel, in Argao; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria, in Boljoon; and Parish of San Guillermo de Aquitania, in Dalaguete.

Jubilee churches for southwest Cebu are: Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Anne, Barili; Parish of Saint Gregory the Great, Ginatilan; Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi, Dumanjug; and Parish of Saint Francis Xavier, Alegria.

Churches for district five or the northwest Cebu are the following: Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint John of Sahagun, Toledo City; Parish and Archdliocesan Shrine of San Antonio de Padua, Tuburan; Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi, Balamban; and Parish of Santa Lucia, Asturias.

For the far North Cebu District, the parishes would be Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of San Vicente Ferrer, Bogo City; Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, Daanbantayan; and Parish of Saint Peter, Bantayan.

Further, the Jubilee churches for midnorth and near north Cebu would be Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Santiago, Compostela; Parish of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Danao City; Parish of Saint Joseph, San Francisco, Camotes; Parish and National Shrine of Saint Joseph, Mandaue City; and the Parish and Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Mandaue City.

According to Archbishop Jose Palma, the Jubilee Year was traditionally held every 50 years since the 13th century, but it is now observed every 25 years to ensure more generations can experience this sacred celebration.

The Archbishop also explained the historical roots and significance of the Jubilee.

The term "Jubilee" originates from the Hebrew word yobhel, meaning "ram's horn" or "ram's horn trumpet." In ancient Jewish tradition, the sounding of the ram s horn signaled the start of a year-long celebration, during which fields were left to rest, debts were forgiven, and properties returned to their original owners.

Palma highlighted that in today s generation Jubilee now serves as a year of grace and favor and calls all faithful to reflect on their lives, seek renewal, and embrace God s love and mercy.

In today s language, I would just like to describe more plainly this original status of God s children: that no one is a slave, no one should work as if he is a slave. There is this freedom of joyful celebration because we are all children of God, Archbishop Palma said.

Pope Francis has announced that all Catholic cathedrals worldwide will hold a Mass on December 29, 2024, to mark the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year for local communities. — /ATO (FREEMAN)