Cote d’Ivoire: Consecrated persons begin preparations for the Jubilee Year 2025

Vatican News with Marcel Ariston Blé – Abidjan.

The opening Mass was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cote d’Ivoire, Archbishop Mauricio Rueda Beltz. The Nuncio urged the major superiors to be examples and witnesses in following Christ.

The Great Jubilee Year 2025

On 9 May, Feast of the Ascension, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, solemnly proclaims the start and end date, the forms of celebrating the Jubilee, and event to be held in the Jubilee Year 2025. The Pope proclaimed the Jubilee in a decree called “Bull of Indiction.”

According to the Bull, the Jubilee Year will open in St. Peter’s Basilica on 24 December 2024 and close on 6 January 2026.

Church tradition dictates that each Jubilee Year be proclaimed by publishing a Papal (or Pontifical) ‘Bull of Indiction’. By ‘Bull’ is meant an official document, generally written in Latin and bearing the seal of the Pope.

Remaining united to Christ

In his homily at the event with major superiors, Archbishop Beltz urged them to be united with Christ, docile to the Holy Spirit, and builders of communion.

Addressing the first point, that of being united with Christ, the Apostolic Nuncio said that this means being immersed in the person of Jesus, intimately united to Him like branches to the vine.

Weavers of relationships

The Archbishop further encouraged the religious gathered to be docile to the Holy Spirit, “for we are chosen as superiors, not to do our own will, but God’s.”

The prelate further invited major superiors to act as “the Father acts,” allowing themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.

In closing, the Nuncio called upon all major superiors of Cote d’Ivoire to be witnesses to the Risen Lord, pointing out that the originality of our Christian commitment lies in our vocation, which leads us to follow the poor, live a life of chastity and obedience.  “For you,” he said, “the commitment is greater, insofar as you must be, within your communities, builders of communion, weavers of relationships that bear witness to the Risen Christ in the unique commandment of love,” he said.