Don’t slide into spiritual laxity — Catholics told as jubilee year concludes

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On December 24, 2024, the late Pope Francis officially launched the Holy Year (Jubilee Year of Hope) with the symbolic act of opening the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Pope then directed all local Bishops to launch the Year in their respective diocese.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere of Kampala Archdiocese launched the year by opening the main door of Lubaga Cathedral on Sunday, December 29, 2024. The Holy Door, through which all the pilgrims were encouraged to go through, was symbolic of Jesus being the gateway to the Father (John 14:6).

Catholic religious Brothers and Sisters in solemn procession for the Pontifical mass of the opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope at Lubaga Cathedral on December 29, 2024.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (holding a crosier) in processission for the Pontifical mass of the opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope at Lubaga Cathedral on December 29, 2024.

The local Bishops concluded the jubilee year at their respective Cathedral on December 28, 2025. Pope Leo XIV formally closed it on January 6, 2026 (the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord) by closing the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

According to Rev. Fr Dr Ambrose Bwangatto, the reigning Pastoral Coordinator of Kampala Archdiocese, the Catholic jubilee year, observed every 25 years, is a time of spiritual renewal, reflection, repentance and grace.

“The essence of the jubilee year is renewal. During the jubilee year we have just concluded, we endeavoured to deepen our faith through various spiritual activities. We encouraged our Christians to make a pilgrimage of faith to approved religious places, including Lubaga Cathedral, Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Namugongo, Uganda Martyrs Catholic Shrine Munyonyo, Kiwamirembe Marian Sanctuary (Kajjansi Town Council), Lusinga Mitala-Maria, Mpigi district (the birth-place of St Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe), and St John the Baptist Catholic Church Mapeera-Nabulagala, in Lubaga Division, where the first Catholic mass was celebrated (June 25, 1879). We also engaged Christians in various religious activities, including study of sacred scripture, ecclesial documents and papal encyclicals, praying the Rosary, etc, all intended to help them deepen their faith. Christians were encouraged to repent their sins, follow the commandments of God and also perform acts of love and charity as a way of putting their faith in action.” 

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere (holding a crosier) shares a photo moment with the Catholic clerics who concelebrated the Pontifical mass of the closure of the Jubilee Year of Hope (2025) at Lubaga Cathedral on December 28, 2025.

St. Cecilia Lubaga Cathedral Choir in action during mass.

“The jubilee year helped us to go back to our Christian roots and ecclesial norms, and to walk better in the ways of God. It further helped us to reset our Christian life to the design of God, focusing on the Cross with the crucified Jesus who redeemed us from the yoke of sin. Christians who participated in the activities of the jubilee year had the privilege of indulgence (remission of punishment caused by sin), provided they were in a state of grace, especially after receiving the Sacrament of Penance,” he said.

Bwangatto further said the Church also encouraged/helped the Catholic faithful to make pilgrimage to international religious sites such as Lourdes (in France), Rome, Medjugorje, and the Holy Land.

Delivering his homily during the closure of the jubilee year at Rubaga Cathedral (December 28, 2025), Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere asked the Christians to continue with the spirit of the jubilee year even after its closure.

“Don’t get the temptation of sliding into spiritual laxity. Strengthen your commitment to the faith even much more than ever. Continue visiting the pilgrimage sites to deepen your faith. Continue relating well as brethren. Love one another. Be mindful of the poor, the sick, the elderly, the prisoners, and all others in need,” Ssemogerere said.

The closing ceremony of the jubilee year at Lubaga Cathedral was graced by a massive congregation of Catholics, who included the Brothers of Christian Instruction from Kisubi.

The function was indeed colourful/memorable. The Charge de Affairs at the Apostolic Nunciature (Mbuya, Uganda), Msgr. Georges Kwami Kouwonou also attended the function.

The Catholic faithful in prayer during the Pontifical mass of the closure of the Catholic Jubilee Year of Hope at Lubaga Cathedral on December 28, 2025.