“Mercy opens doors to hope” | DIOCESE OF GOMA (RdC)

In this column, throughout the year, the journey of the Jubilee as told by spazio + spadoni from different parts of the world

From Sister Francine, an account of the opening of the Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Goma; the beginning of a year of hope for a people wounded by suffering

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth, for nothing can separate us from the love of Christ: hope never fails.

Pope Francis has announced a Jubilee in Rome in 2025. This tradition, proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII, dates back to 1300.

The Jubilee year took effect worldwide and also in the Diocese of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Holy Doors were opened on December 29, the Feast of the Holy Family, in St. Joseph Cathedral Parish and Blessed Anuarite Parish.

Jubilee Year as a year of hope for so many hearts wounded by suffering

The opening of the Holy Door was a source of joy for many people who have only God to turn to. The people rejoiced with great joy and gladness through the massive participation in the celebration of the Eucharist.

A good number of families living in the Diocese of Goma in two surrounding parishes have been left to their own devices for the past three years. The consequences of the armed conflict are seriously affecting their lives in every way.

The worst thing is to see children, teenagers and the elderly sometimes dying from diseases due to lack of necessary care; children are sometimes thrown out or begging daily along the city; teenagers sometimes engage in stealing, drugs and enlisting in armed groups.

But despite all these sufferings, people have their eyes fixed on Christ, from whom they expect help, because hope never deceives. The Pope invites us to be pilgrims of hope, whatever the situation we are going through.

The Pope invites us to walk with Christ, to stand firm in faith, to always hope in God’s mercy.

Hope never deceives

In God there is no lie, and he who hopes in God is never mistaken. Yes, the Lord’s grace is sufficient. By opening the Jubilee Year 2025, the Pope gives all Christians the chance to go through the holy door.
It is God’s own mercy toward people who are nothing but sinners.

The Holy Door as a source of inner healing and reconciliation with God

Man needs more than anything else to be in right relationship with God, his creator, because there is all fullness and joy in him. Man also needs to feel forgiven by God.

Man’s sinful nature always drags him down because of the weight of his pulpit. From the beginning, sin has invaded man’s nature.

From the very beginning, sin has invaded man’s nature.

Although baptism can purify man from all his sins, man continues to fall continually into his errors.

The sacrament of penance is a grace and inner renewal. However, passing through the holy door erases the indelible traces of sin and heals us of all our deep wounds.

The people of the Diocese of Goma need God more than ever.

Many Christians came to express their joy and gratitude to the Lord, who never stops helping them by freeing them from all their sins. Many families also renewed their marriage commitments, celebrating the jubilee of God’s faithfulness to them for 15 years, 25 years, 30 years, 50 years and beyond. Trusting in the Lord’s love that never deceives, they praised the Lord for every blessing.

Jubilee year 2025, good news for the Diocese of Goma

Throughout 2025, Christians are preparing with confessions, intense prayer and works of mercy, visiting war displaced people, orphans, prisoners and the sick to receive God’s mercy through the holy door.

The year 2025 is a year of grace because many people have died from various causes without passing through this door of mercy. May the Lord obtain mercy for them.

The local bishop, Willy Ngumbi Ngengele rejoices and invites all Christians to take advantage of this grace the Lord has granted us to be fully reconciled with Him.

Long live the Jubilee year full of hope, long live God’s mercy.

Source and images

• spazio + spadoni
• Sr. Francine Mave Ditsove