Jubilee opens in Dhaka: 'Hope among us all'

The celebration presided over by Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze in St Mary's Cathedral. AsiaNews reports on the expectations for the Holy Year of the faithful of the country's small Catholic community: ‘A time to rediscover the call to be better people in the service of all’.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of faithful gathered in St Mary's Cathedral in Dhaka to celebrate the beginning of the Jubilee Year 2025 ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

The event was presided over by Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze and Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario. The meeting was attended by bishops, priests and laity, all deeply inspired by the meaning of this Holy Year, which aims to instil hope and renewal among the faithful.

‘The Jubilee Year is a time to nourish hope in the midst of the challenges we face today,’ Diponkor Gomes, a participant from Tejgaon parish, told AsiaNews. ’In Bangladesh and the rest of the world, we are witnessing conflicts, wars and unrest. Many places are grappling with economic hardship and price increases that disrupt normal life. I hope and deeply believe that this Jubilee Year will be a blessing for us. As a disciple of Jesus in this special year I have a responsibility: I am called to be a better person, to embody the teachings of Jesus and to put them into practice in my daily life’.

Pallab D'Rozario, another participant and businessman, expressed gratitude and optimism. ‘It is a holy and meaningful time for us, I welcome it with joy. I hope this Holy Year will transform us and bring blessings: let everyone eliminate what is negative from their lives and embrace a path of conversion.’

In his homily, Archbishop of Dhaka Bejoy Nicephorus D'Cruze invited us to express ‘gratitude for the many blessings we have received in our lives’.

Reflecting on the challenges in society, he remarked: ‘In the streets we see bitterness and division between people. Pope Francis has called us to build friendships, to uphold dignity and to show tolerance towards one another’.

The archbishop encouraged the faithful to keep hope alive in this age of conflict, stressing that Christ has the power to transform lives. ‘Let us become people of hope,’ he concluded.

 ’Those who are hopeful can face challenges with resilience, in a mature manner and leading better lives. In this way we will realise that indeed Jesus walks with us’.