Hyderabad celebrates the Jubilee and its bicentenary in St Joseph's Cathedral

With a Mass presided over by Card. Poola, the Holy Year and the long history of the complex, whose first church dates back to 1820, were celebrated. The commitment of the PIME missionaries was remembered. New areas were inaugurated, including a parish centre and the Adoration Chapel.

Hyderabad (AsiaNews) - The Archdiocese of Hyderabad celebrated its Jubilee yesterday with a long procession that culminated in a celebration at St Joseph's Cathedral, presided over by Card Anthony Poola.

Thousands of faithful took part, carrying the Jubilee cross, a symbol of hope, through the streets of the capital of Telangana. During the rite, Archbishop Poola paid tribute to the missionaries who brought the faith to this area.

In fact, it was three PIME missionaries who, starting in 1869, designed and built the present large Catholic church in the Chaderghat area, and today we celebrate the saint to whom it is dedicated.

The jubilee event was also an opportunity to celebrate the bicentenary of the foundation: the roots of the local community in fact date back to 1820. The construction of the current structure began when Father Antonio Tagliabue purchased a large piece of land near Chaderghat, today Gunfoundry, to build a school, a church and a convent.

Father Pietro Caprotti laid the first stone on 18 March 1870, on the eve of the Solemnity of St Joseph, 155 years ago. Father Luigi Malberti took over in 1872 and completed the main building.

In addition to them, Cardinal Poola also remembered bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful whose commitment contributed to the growth of the Catholic Church in Hyderabad.

All the bishops of the Telugu Regional Council of Bishops (TCBC) were present at the celebration, as well as about three hundred priests.

In Hyderabad, the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025 - proclaimed by Pope Francis with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ - is providing a profound opportunity for spiritual growth, bringing together clergy, religious and faithful.

In his homily, Monsignor Sagili Prakash, who has been bishop of Khammam for almost a year, reflected on the theme of the Holy Year, encouraging the faithful to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ and to renew their commitment to live the Gospel in their daily lives.

He emphasised the importance of embracing the spirit of mercy, reconciliation and service, reminding us that the Jubilee is an invitation to walk closer to God and to others. He also highlighted the role of the Cathedral as the mother church of the diocese.

Cardinal Poola also blessed and inaugurated new areas of the complex: the Adoration Chapel, the Parish Pastoral Centre, and three devotional places dedicated to the Infant Jesus, St Joseph and Our Lady of Velankanni.

Cardinal Poola also expressed his deep gratitude to Monsignor Yeruva Balashowry, rector of St Joseph's Cathedral, for his tireless dedication and hard work in improving the complex. The participants left the event with their hearts filled with joy, renewed in their commitment to continue their pilgrimage of faith, hope and love.