CSN Media

The Catholic Church in Nigeria is set to host thousands of devotees for the highly anticipated Jubilee of Hope celebration, a significant event that brings together Catholics and Christians from across the country. This is scheduled to take place from Friday 19 September to Sunday 21 September 2025, at the Sanctuary of Jesus the Saviour in Elele, Rivers State. This national celebration promises to be a time of spiritual reassessment, forgiveness, and mercy.

 

According to the Director of Pastoral Affairs at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Rev. Fr. Augustine Fasiku, the Jubilee Year is a celebration of hope, forgiveness, and mercy, focusing on the themes of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and mercy. “The Jubilee Year provides an opportunity for Catholics to deepen their faith, seek forgiveness for sins, and engage in acts of charity and kindness,” he emphasized.

 

The Jubilee Year will feature pilgrimages to designated sites, such as Cathedrals and Shrines, where participants will journey to sacred sites to deepen their faith. Also, special doors in basilicas and cathedrals will be opened, symbolizing the path to salvation. The event will also provide opportunities for prayer, adoration, and meditation, as well as encouragement to perform acts of charity and kindness.

 

During this Jubilee Year, people are encouraged to participate in pilgrimages, obtain indulgences, practice mercy, prayer and reflection. By participating in these activities, Catholics can receive special graces for forgiveness of sins and deepen their relationship with God.

 

The national celebration in Nigeria is part of a universal event celebrated by the entire Catholic Church. Each Diocese will have its own celebrations, pilgrimages and activities, promoting unity and solidarity among Catholics worldwide.

 

In preparation for the event, each Diocese will coordinate its own celebrations under the leadership of their Bishops. They will designate pilgrimage sites, organize events such as Masses and processions, and promote participation among Catholics.

 

As the Jubilee of Hope approaches, Catholics and Christians alike are invited to prepare themselves spiritually, embracing the themes of hope, forgiveness, and mercy that define this extraordinary event. With thousands expected to attend the national celebration at the Sanctuary of Jesus the Saviour, this experience will be a momentous occasion for spiritual growth and communal worship.