“Hope is also among us”

The celebration presided over by Archbishop Bejoy Nicephorus D’Cruze in St. Mary’s Cathedral. 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 at the service of all.”

Dhaka () – Hundreds of faithful gathered at the Cathedral of Saint Mary 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. Bishops, priests and lay people attended, all deeply inspired by the meaning of this Holy Year, which aims to instill hope and renewal among the faithful.

“The Jubilee Year is a time to nourish hope amid the challenges we face today,” Diponkor Gomes, a participant from the parish of Tejgaon, told . “In Bangladesh and the rest of the world, we are witnessing conflicts. , wars and riots. In many places there are economic difficulties 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 put them into practice in my daily life.

Pallab D’Rozario, another participant and businessman, expressed gratitude and optimism. «It is a holy and significant time for us, I welcome it with joy. I hope that this Holy Year transforms us and brings us blessings: that each one eliminates the negative from their lives and embraces a path of conversion.

In his homily, the Archbishop of Dhaka, Bejoy Nicephorus D’Cruze, invited people to express “gratitude for the many blessings we have received in our lives.” Reflecting on society’s challenges, he noted: “On the streets we see bitterness and division between people. “Pope Francis has called us to build friendships, to defend dignity and to show tolerance toward one another.”

The archbishop encouraged the faithful to keep hope alive in this time of conflict, emphasizing that Christ has the power to transform lives. «Let us become people of hope», he concluded, »those who have hope can face challenges with resilience, in a mature way and leading a better life. “This way we will realize that Jesus really walks with us.”