Events
Platinum Jubilee of Diocese of Bellary Celebrated with Gratitude and Faith.
NOV.27-28,2024

The Diocese of Bellary celebrated its Platinum Jubilee on November 27-28. The two days of celebrations were marked by a “Concluding the Jubilee Cross Yatra”, A Civic function , a “Sarva Dharma Sangama ’’( Interfaith dialogue ) and a cultural program on Diocesan Amurth Yatre on Wednesday 27 th November at Bellary Arogya Mathe Shrine Premises.

A large number of people from Bellary, Raichur, Vijayanagara , Koppal districts and other parts of the State witnessed the historical event. The celebrations began at 4.00p.m in the premises of Bellary Arogya Mathe Shrine , Cantonment, Bellary.

The Diocesan Platinum Jubilee Cross Yathre which was launched by the Bishop on 7 th October, 2024 and the Jubilee Crosses which were taken to all parishes, sub- stations and institutions were brought from the six deaneries of the diocese to the premises by the deanery representatives and concluded with thanksgiving Eucharist adoration.

Civic Jubilee function followed the event,for which Sri Siddaramiah, H’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri KJGeorge, H’ble Minister for Energy, Sri SN Hussain, MP, Sri B. Nagendra, MLA-Ballari Rural, Sri N.Bharat Reddy,MLA-Ballari City, Sri Ganesh, MLA-Kampli, Sri Nagaraj, MLA-Siruguppa, Smt. Annapurna, MLA-Sandur, Smt.Sukum, Dy. Mayor and many more distinguished guests were present .

Shri S.Siddaramiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka & religious leaders of all mainstream religious faiths, Archbishop and Bishops of Karnataka and Bishop of Warangal who were present at the occasion gave a clarion call to shed religious prejudices and build bridges of peace and harmony in order build up the humanity.

Hon’ble Chief Minister launched the distribution of 12 new houses for the poor and Minister Sri KJ George the project of distributing house sites for poor. He also lauded the Church for promoting education, healthcare and Kannada literature. He urged everyone to abide by the constitutional values of democracy, liberty, unity, fraternity, equality and non-violence on the occasion. Later a Sarva Dharma Sangama – an inter-religious meet was held on theme: “The Role of Religions in Nation Building”.

The religious leaders – Swasti Sri Dr Charukeerti Bhattaraka Panditacharya Pattacharya Swamiji, Head - MahasansthanDigambara Jain Mutt, Sri Niranajana

Jagadguru Kotturu Basavalinga Mahaswami,Kottur Mutt, Rt Rev. Martin C. Borgai, Bishop of Karnataka Northern and Central Dioceses, Dr. Belagavi Mohammed Saad, President, Jamaat -e- Islami Hind, Karnataka, Sri Sri Kalyan Swamji, Kalyan Matt, Bellary, Justice JM D’Cunha (Ex-Judge, K-HC) and others participated. They called Bellary a Garden of religious harmony and called upon everyone to shed religious bigotry and be heralds of peace and harmony in order build a peaceful and united India. Bishop Henry D’Souza , Bishop of Bellary thanked them for their presence and inspiring messages. The programme was followed by Bellary Diocesan Amrutha Yathre – a dance-drama presented by over 150 young artistes, to the appreciation and applause of the large audience.

Jubilee 2025: Celebrations in the Local Churches. The Jubilee is a moment of grace, offering all the faithful an opportunity for deep renewal and encounter with Christ. Below are some essential guidelines and recommendations drawn from the Holy Father's Bull of Indiction and from the discussions on Jubilee 2025, held at the recent CCBI Executive Committee meeting, held on September 10-11, 2024, in Bangalore.

1. Opening of the Jubilee Year in the Universal Church: The Holy Year will officially begin with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica on December 24, 2024, followed by the opening of Holy Doors by the Holy Father in the other Major Basilicas. 2. Opening of the Jubilee Year in the Local Churches: Sunday, 29 December 2024, Feast of the Holy Family. Diocesan Bishops or Administrators are to celebrate the Inaugural Mass only in their Cathedrals as the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year. People gathered for the Mass will proceed in procession (pilgrimage), starting from a place indicated by the Local Ordinary. A specially made / decorated Jubilee Cross is to be carried during the Solemn Entry into the Cathedral. 3. Closing the Jubilee Year in the Local Churches: Sunday,December 28, 2025. The Holy Year closes in the Local Churches with a Solemn Concluding Mass at the Cathedral, with the decorated Jubilee Cross standing in a prominent place. Specially prepared Prayers of the Faithful, Presentation of the Gifts, Thanksgiving Hymn, Prayer over the People, Solemn Blessing and Dismissal are suggested. In the Universal Church, the Jubilee Year closes on 6 January 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

4. Kindly note that, for the Jubilee 2025, the Holy Doors are opened ONLY in the Papal Basilicas of Rome. No real or symbolic opening of the Holy Door is allowed in other Dioceses.

5. Pilgrimage and Indulgence: During the Jubilee Year, a pilgrimage becomes a sacred journey of faith and renewal. The Local Ordinary may announce the Jubilee Churches (cathedral, co- cathedral, shrine, minor basilica, pilgrim centre or chapel) in his Diocese and promote pilgrimages within the diocese. The Local Ordinary an Indulgence to the pilgrims who visit these sacred spaces. Psalms or passages from the Bull of Indiction could be read during the pilgrimage.

7. Jubilee Cross: The Cross - not the Door - is the symbol of the Jubilee 2025 in the Local Churches. The Jubilee Cross is a sign of hope and love, showing us the Sacrifice of Christ. Placed in the Cathedral, it invites everyone to remember His mercy. The Cross will be carried in procession at the Opening Mass and will be placed in the Cathedral until the Concluding Mass. The Jubilee Cross may be carried, with devotion and decorum, to other pilgrim centres / deaneries / parishes / villages during the Holy Year.

8. Sacrament of Reconciliation: The Holy Father emphasizes the importance of the Sacrament of Confession during the Jubilee. It is a time for the faithful to experience God's boundless mercy. You are encouraged to prepare priests and make this Sacrament readily available to the faithful throughout the year. Special attention should be given to the penitents, offering them spiritual guidance and a path to conversion. 9. Ecumenical and Interfaith Participation: The Jubilee Year coincides with the significant ecumenical milestone of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The Holy Father invites us to intensify our efforts toward Christian unity and collaboration with other faiths, reflecting the inclusive nature of our hope in God.

10. Focus on the Poor and the Marginalized: As emphasized by Pope Francis, the Jubilee should be an opportunity for renewed solidarity with the poor and those on the margins of society. The dioceses are asked to increase their outreach programmes, ensuring that no one is excluded from the message of hope, particularly those suffering from poverty, illness, imprisonment or displacement. The places where hope is dim - hospitals, prisons, orphanages, homes for the aged, refugee camps and others - could be visited during the Holy Year.

11. In the Parishes and Religious Institutions across the Diocese: Wherever possible, display the Jubilee 2025 Logo and Motto, recite the Jubilee 2025 Prayer and sing the Jubilee 2025 Hymn. For your recollections, reunions, retreats and feast days, take the 'Four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council,' 'prayer,' and 'hope' as the themes or subject matter. Above all, encourage everyone to be a ‘sign of hope’ in the neighbourhood. And, in accordance with the Jubilee 2025 Calendar, prescribed by Rome and adopted by the CCBI, kindly celebrate Jubilee 2025 with various groups – children, young people, women, labourers, prisoners, migrants, etc. Make the celebrations not only liturgical and spiritual, but also social, cultural and pastoral. Annual Statistics, Quarterly Accounts. & Procured Collections We hereby request all parish priests and heads of institutions to forward the duly filled in Annual Statistics forms to Bishop’s Office and give to DFO the ear- marked collections along with the accounts for three quarters of the financial year by Jan. 15. Please cooperate.

Bishop’s programmes in December Dec. 01 : Thanking giving Mass at Kinnigoli Dec. 03 : BDDS Governing Body meet

Dec. 07 : Sports Day – St. Joseph’s Boys School, Bellary
Dec. 08 : Children’s Christmas Program, Bellary
Dec. 12 : Dec. 14 : Annual Day SFS ICSE School, Koppal:

Dec. 18 : Christmas Program at Central Prison
Dec. 21 : Annual Day at St. Jos’ Girls High School, CB Bly
Dec. 24 : Christmas Mass at Cathedral
Dec. 25 : Christmas – Visit to institutions
Dec. 28 : Nuptials – St Antony’s Cathedral
Dec. 29 : Solemn Opening Jubilee 2025, at Cathedral
Dec. 31 : Adoration & Holy Mass
WISH YOU GRACE FILLED ADVENT & HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
With best wishes and prayers,
+ Henry D’Souza Bishop of Bellary