Opening of Jubilee Door marks the beginning of the celebratory phase of the Diocesan Diamond Jubilee for Legazpi

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi officially launched the celebratory phase of their Diocesan Diamond Jubilee on June 29, feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, by opening the Jubilee Door at the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral. Those who faithfully visit the Cathedral during the celebratory phase, which ends on December 31, and fulfill the necessary conditions may receive the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence.

Themed “Biniyayaan, Inaantabayanan, Sinusugo”, Baylon called the clergy and lay faithful to heed the challenge of this Jubilee celebration: to journey towards being a Church that cares. "This is a concrete expression of love," he said, "to listen to the cries of the poor, of those experiencing injustices; and to walk with those who are in darkness."

Simbag sa Pag-asenso and TADA are two of the Diocesan programs highlighted by Baylon in his homily. These programs were created to help the poor. The former aids micro-entrepreneurial families to grow socio-economically and spiritually, while the latter is a charity initiative of the Diocese to support feeding and other programs for the poor.

Baylon also emphasized responsible stewardship of God’s creation. He urged caring for the environment, the only habitat one can pass on to the next generation; and to always uphold life and the dignity of a person, regardless of social status.

He underscored the importance of taking care of the gifts entrusted to the Church, whether it be financial, volunteer work or staff service. He also encouraged participation in social transformation, supporting reforms that help solve two of society’s biggest problems: poverty and injustice.

Closing his homily, Baylon reminded everyone to put Christ at the center of their lives and ministries, to listen to the Word of God and to celebrate the life of Christ in the Eucharist, recognizing that the Eucharist is the summit and fount of Christian life.

The mass that opened the celebratory phase of the Diocesan Diamond Jubilee also became an opportunity for the deaf community to join Diocesan-wide celebrations. This bears witness to the local Church of Legazpi journeying towards a synodal Church, a Church that listens to the signs of the times while walking towards the Kingdom of God, as the Bishop said.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is set to preside over the mass commemorating the canonical erection of the Diocese on October 28.

The Diocese of Legazpi formally opened the celebratory phase of its Diamond Jubilee on June 29 at the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral. A mass was celebrated by Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi, who also opened the Jubilee Door before the mass. Those who faithfully visit the Cathedral during the celebratory phase, which ends on December 31, and fulfill the necessary conditions may receive the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence. The said event gathered the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese. (Photos by Natalie Hazel Quimlat)