CHRIST CATHEDRAL overflowed with believers from all walks of life as the Diocese of Orange kicked off its local celebration of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee
Year on a cold and foggy final Sunday of the year.
THE YEAR OF HOPE CROSS WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE DIOCESE AND CONTAINS VARIOUS SYMBOLS SPECIFIC TO ORANGE COUNTY. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The Jubilee Year is an invitation for all Catholics worldwide to rediscover the presence of God and reinvigorate trust in His promise. The Dec. 29 Mass, celebrated
by Bishop Kevin Vann, featured the Year of Hope Cross, specially designed for the Diocese and containing various symbols specific to Orange County, such as an orange tree and St. Junípero Serra (founder of Mission San Juan Capistrano).
The Church has designated this year’s theme to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“Hope, as St. Paul would say, does not disappoint us,” said Bishop Vann during his homily. “It is one of the great theological virtues. It is a sense of expectation for what is to come, and that God will be faithful to us … and we approach the New Year in hope, knowing that the Lord will be with us and show us the way.”
Every seat was filled for the Jubilee Mass on Holy Family Sunday with many families finding spots on staircases, against bannisters and along back walls.
The cathedral sanctuary was fully decorated for the season of Advent in red and white poinsettias, a Christmas tree and strands of garland and lights.
The Year of Hope Cross will serve as the focal point of the Diocese’s Jubilee Year celebration, which is recognized every 25 years in the Catholic Church.
EVERY SEAT WAS FILLED FOR THE JUBILEE MASS HELD ON HOLY FAMILY SUNDAY AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL.
Since the Church began the tradition in 1300, 2025 is the 27th ordinary Jubilee Year, save for “extraordinary” jubilees that are not part of the 25-year rotation. Parishioner Yolanda Robles’ personal goal for the New Year is similar to that of the 2025 Jubilee Year: enriching her faith.
“I would say to have a stronger faith,” Robles said, “just grow in my religion, grow closer to God.”
Julio Lopez was participating in the Mass with his wife and newly turned 2-year-old daughter. After a hiatus, the family wanted to start regularly attending church again, so they made a point to come to the last Sunday Mass of 2024.
“If you put hope into everything, it will work out,” Lopez said, reflecting on Bishop Vann’s homily and the Jubilee Year theme. “Circumstances, work, your life — it will work out.”
For the Jubilee Year, the Church will be also offering plenary indulgences for those who visit the Year of Hope Cross or another designated site, among other requirements.
In Vatican City, Pope Francis heralded the Jubilee Year on Dec. 24 with the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica. The door is normally sealed with bricks — a symbolic reminder of the barrier of sin between people and God — and is only opened during Jubilee Years, according to Our Sunday Visitor.
The worldwide Jubilee Year ends on Jan. 6, 2026.
For more information on the 2025 Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Orange, the Year of Hope Cross, pilgrimages, indulgences and more, visit www.rcbo.org/hope