By Emmanuel Nigel
Piemonte House
Date: Friday, December 20th, 2024
The Jubilee of 2025 is a Jubilee that will be celebrated in the year 2025. It was announced by Pope John Paul II at the end of the Great Jubilee. This Jubilee was preceded by the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy of 2015 – 2016. The theme for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope,” where His Holiness Pope Francis invites the Church to rediscover the theme of hope, and the Jubilee 2025 will see many Pilgrims in Rome. The Jubilee 2025 is a special Holy Year in Rome and Vatican City, Italy, starting at Christmas Eve 2024 and ending at Epiphany 2026 [Tuesday, January 6th, 2026]. A celebration that will see millions of Pilgrims visiting Rome seeking spiritual renewal and a stronger connection to the faith with the opening and the indication of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica and the other three Papal Basilicas, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul.
It will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing consequences of Coronavirus, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis. The year 2025 will be dedicated to celebration, forgiveness, and renewal.
On Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, I applied to be a Jubilee 2025 Volunteer with Dicastery for Evangelization, Vatican City, Rome and my application was accepted on Friday, August 30th, 2024 to serve as a Jubilee 2025 Volunteer at St. Peter's Basilica for the weekly slot [Saturday, January 18th, 2025 to Saturday, January 25th, 2025] has been accepted by Jubilee 2025 and Dicastery for Evangelization, Vatican City with the other three weekly slots; Saturday, January 25th, 2025, to Saturday, February 1st, 2025, Saturday, February 1st, 2025, to Saturday, February 8th, 2025, and Saturday, February 8th, 2025, to Saturday, February 15th, 2025.
On Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, I met the Apostolic Nuncio in Uganda, His Excellency Luigi Bianco, at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See [Vatican City] in Kampala at 10:00 AM and presented my documents as I look forward to becoming a Jubilee 2025 Volunteer.
On Thursday, January 2nd, 2025, I will meet the Italian Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency Mauro Massoni, and the Visa Section, at the Embassy of Italy in Kampala, Uganda, at 9:00 AM to see the plausibility of the issuance of the Visa.
Fascinating! "Meeting the Papal Nuncio in Uganda and the Italian Ambassador: The Avidity to Become a Jubilee 2025 Volunteer and a Pilgrim of Hope in St. Peter's Basilica." I will be delighted to participate in the Jubilee 2025 and serve as a Jubilee 2025 Volunteer, pondering the mystery of hope and being there in Rome as a Pilgrim of Hope.
A Jubilee 2025 Volunteer will be asked to offer his/her service for the Jubilee 2025 and will be committed to the success of the event, but more importantly will be a witness as to what the Holy Year represents. The Volunteer will be involved in welcoming the pilgrims at the different meeting points, providing them with information on all the available services; accompanying them along the routes specially reserved to access the Papal Basilicas, accompanying them through the Holy Doors, and pause in prayer with pilgrims with appropriate reverence, without distractions according to the times and circumstances.
The Jubilee 2025 Volunteer will provide assistance for any other services that may be required in the various circumstances. He/she offers this service willingly and free of charge. He/she undertakes to carry out the tasks assigned by the Jubilee Organizational Secretariat, based on the logistical and operational needs of the Jubilee Program.
"It would be a moment of ebullience to be at St. Peter's Basilica Rome to join with fellow Pilgrims celebrating the Jubilee 2025. Praying to the Lord God for the gift of Love, Mercy, and Peace."
Oh, Rome! Mother of Cities, most noble and bright, very spectacular, the throne of great Peter, the first Vicar of Christ, a man of Great Faith, and Head of the Apostles. Will I feel and experience the ardor of Rome? Thursday, January 16th, 2025, would be another beautiful day if I get to the Mother of Cities.
With the gains of new skills and valuable work experience, better physical and mental health and well-being, giving something back in terms of service, improving the confidence and sense of connection to others in the Community, improving how things work for the better, showing the commitment, and also making new friends - Jubilee 2025 will be an amazing occasion with Pilgrims uniting as one family focusing on hope and reminded to be hopeful.
I am grateful to the Dicastery for Evangelization Vatican City for accepting my application.
I am grateful to Msgr. Christopher Komakech, the Parish Priest of Christ the King Parish Kitgum for having recommended me to the Dicastery for Evangelization, Vatican City, for signing the Support Letter for Requesting the Issuance of Schengen “Tourism – Jubilee” Visas that should be given to the Italian Ambassador in Uganda His Excellency Mauro Massoni, and for recommending me to His Excellency Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda. I am grateful to His Grace Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese for recommending me to His Excellency Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda.
I thank my Cousin Brother Seminarian Denis Odiya for sharing the cellphone number of Fr. James Jjumba, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Africa Parish, Mbuya; I thank Fr. James Jjumba for the hospitality that was shown to me on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 at the Parish.
I’m grateful to Fr. Mathew Maria Otika who is working to support my round-trip flight. I am also grateful to Madam Lucy Achola, Madam Juilet Oringa, Dr. Michael Oyat, and my Uncle Robert Omony for their kind assistance.
I wish you all the best!
I look forward to serving as a Jubilee 2025 Volunteer and as a Pilgrim of Hope.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2025!
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