On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 4PM, the Archdiocese of Cebu officially opens the 500 Years of Christianity (YOC) celebrations through the Opening of the Holy Door, the Declaration of the Jubilee Year, the Unveiling and Blessing of the Jubilee Cross and the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration.
Attended by a number of concelebrating priests, deacons and lay faithful, the Rite of the Opening Holy Door marked the start of the celebration. Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma who led the celebration said, “As we launch the 500 Years of Christianity celebrations, as we celebrate this Easter mass 500 years later, we remember and we celebrate. When we celebrate, we make present the love of God, particularly today, the time of the pandemic. We know COVID brings fear. But we know deep in our hearts that the love of Christ strengthens our faith. The Risen Lord promises life.”
The opening of the Holy Door also signaled the Year of Jubilee from this year’s opening to the closing in 2022 in which all the faithful have the graced opportunity to receive plenary indulgence as long as conditions are met each time they visit and enter through the Holy Door. Simultaneous with the opening of the Holy Door at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, is also the opening of other Holy Doors in other 12 designated Pilgrim Churches in the whole Archdiocese. Also, since it was an archdiocesan event, all parishes had their own participation by simultaneously celebrating the Holy Mass, the Unveiling and Blessing of the Jubilee Cross. (The Cebu Archdiocesan Digital Communications Team)