Church 2025 Jubilee Year in Mauritius: “Journey in hope” Guided by Island’s “Apostle”, Spiritan Missionary Blessed Laval

To be celebrated under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, the 2025 Jubilee Year provides the people of God across the globe an opportunity to participate in various planned jubilee events at the Vatican and in their respective Episcopal Sees and 22 Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL).

In his message, Bishop Durhône invites the people of God under his pastoral care to actively participate in the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, which the Holy Father is to officially inaugurate with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24. 

Port Louis Diocese has set Sunday, December 29 as the official launch of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations in the only Catholic Diocese of Mauritius during a Solemn Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral starting 2:30 p.m. local time.

“This year of Jubilee calls us to journey in hope, guided by the example of Blessed Laval, who brought the message of Christ’s hope to the people of Mauritius,” Bishop Durhône says in his December 20 message. 

The Mauritian Catholic Church leader goes on to reflect on the legacy of Blessed Laval, the native of France’s Normandy region, who arrived in Mauritius in 1841 and became a beacon of hope for the marginalized. 

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Church 2025 Jubilee Year in Mauritius: “Journey in hope” Guided by Island’s “Apostle”, Spiritan Missionary Blessed Laval

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Known for his efforts to minister to the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned, the Spiritan missionary Priest, who became a medical doctor before heeding to God’s call to be a Priest and a missionary transformed the lives of many in Mauritius by embodying Christ’s love and compassion.

“When Blessed Laval showed the cross, he showed it as a path of hope. For us, hope is Jesus Christ himself,” Bishop Durhône says, and adds, “Through the Word of God, Blessed Laval brought hope to former slaves, the ill, and prisoners. His mission continues to inspire the Church in Mauritius today.”

In his December 20 message, Bishop Durhône invites the people of God in his Episcopal See to make the 2025 Jubilee Year a time of celebration and renewal.

He goes on to outline various ways the 2025 Jubilee Year will be observed, including special celebrations for families, young people, the sick, musicians, athletes, and those in prison.

“The Lord’s hope is for everyone. As we journey through this Jubilee, let us carry the Word of God as a path of hope to all corners of our community,” the Local Ordinary of Port Louis Diocese since his Consecration in August 2023 says. 

He calls upon the people of God under his pastoral care to join in solidarity with Pope Francis and the Universal Church in the 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations, and adds, “Together, let us become pilgrims of hope, following the example of a great witness of faith, Blessed Laval.”

In his December 20 message, Bishop Durhône also urges the people of God to embrace the Advent Season as a time of spiritual preparation. He encourages them to reflect on the message of hope that Christmas brings and to carry this hope into the celebrations of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

“This Jubilee is an opportunity for renewal – for individuals, families, and communities,” the Mauritian Catholic Church leader says, and adds, “Let us celebrate this joy together, united in faith and inspired by the life of Blessed Laval, who continues to guide us as Pilgrims of Hope.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.