At the opening mass of the Jubilee of Hope on December 29, 2024 presided over by Don Virgilio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva SBD, attended by Fr. Paulus Maya Parish of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Dili with the participation of priests, religious men and women and lay Christians, Don Virgilio Cardeal invited everyone to aa special pilgrimage in the Jubilee Year of Hope. It is a blessed opportunity to strengthen our faith and experience God’s grace through visiting the designated Shrines and being indulged.. The five shrines for pilgrims of Hope to obtain plenary indulgence are:
1. Se’ Cathedral of Dili – The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, Timor-Leste, is the main church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dili. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Southeast Asia and an important landmark in Dili. The cathedral was consecrated in 1988.
2. Fatubessi Sanctuary – is a significant religious site located in Ermera district. It is known for its beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima and is a place of pilgrimage and prayer for all Catholics.
3. Ramelau Shrine – also known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima of Ramelau, is a Catholic pilgrimage site located at the top of Mount Ramelau, the highest mountain in Timor-Leste. It features a statue of the Virgin Mary, and the challenging ascent to the shrine is considered a spiritual act of devotion. The sanctuary offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and is a significant religious and cultural landmark in Timor-Leste.
4. Atauro Parish – generally called the Church of Our Lady of the Conception (Our Lady of the Conception) in Vila, the main city of the island.
5. Oecusse Parish, Old Church – While there may be the oldest church in the Oecusse region, the most well-known and historically significant church is the Church
By visiting the Shrines, we will have the opportunity to contemplate the themes of hope, mercy, and reconciliation, central to this Jubilee Year. The opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence offers a unique opportunity for spiritual cleansing and renewal. Opportunity for prayer, reflection, confession and Mass.
We truly believe that this pilgrimage will be a truly enriching experience, offering an opportunity to strengthen our faith and draw closer to God Let us encourage one another to join this journey of hope and spiritual growth.
Friends on the Journey of Hope,
From December 29, 2024 to March 01, 2025 we have walked a mile….
in our pilgrimage through this Jubilee Year, some of us may feel weary, our steps heavy, and our spirits a little weak. The path to spiritual renewal, while beautiful, can sometimes be challenging. It’s okay to feel tired; it’s part of the human experience. But let’s remember why we embarked on this sacred journey in the first place.
This Jubilee year is a time of grace, a time of hope, and a time of deep connection with God. Shrines
This Jubilee year is a time of grace, a time of hope, and a time of deep connection with God. The shrines we visited were not just places of stone and mortar; they are portals of grace, places where heaven touches earth. They are a light of hope, reminding us of God’s unfailing love and mercy.
If you’re feeling tired, discouraged, or your faith is burning, I encourage you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the purpose of your pilgrimage. These shrines, designated for Plenary Indulgence, offer us a unique opportunity for spiritual refreshment. Think of them as oases in our journey, where we can drink deeply from the wellspring of God’s grace.
Visiting these sacred spaces is not just to fulfill a demand; it’s about allowing God to renew our strength, to rekindle the fire of our faith, and to rekindle the fire of hope within us. It is an opportunity to lay down our burdens, to seek forgiveness, and to receive the abundance of grace that God freely offers.
Remember the words of scripture: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Let us take a closer look at that invitation. Let us embrace the opportunity for renewal that these Sanctuaries provide.
Let us visit these Shrines with an open heart, ready to receive God’s grace and to find strength for the journey ahead. Let us be refreshed, renewed, and with our hope strengthened, ready to complete this pilgrimage with fervor and joy.
The journey may be long, but the destination – a deeper connection with God and the fullness of His grace – is worth every step. Let us continue with renewed hope, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
By Sr. Sonia Sangel, FdCC
