The Catholic Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre formally concluded its Jubilee Year 2025 celebrations on December 28, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Family observance. The spiritually significant event marked the culmination of a year-long period dedicated to reflection and religious renewal across the island communities.
Throughout 2025, the diocese actively participated in the global Catholic Church’s “Pilgrims of Hope” initiative, emphasizing both physical and spiritual reconciliation through open doors. Community activities included organized pilgrimages, extended Eucharistic Adoration sessions, and widespread engagement with the Sacrament of Penance.
Bishop Robert Llanos presided over the closing ceremonies, addressing clergy members, religious figures, and lay congregants. In his homily, the Bishop emphasized that although the formal Jubilee period has concluded and its Holy Doors have been ceremonially closed, the essential mission of maintaining hope continues unchanged. He specifically challenged families to model their relationships after the Holy Trinity’s example and demonstrate divine sacrificial love in their daily interactions.
Bishop Llanos further articulated the need to combat spiritual indifference by carrying the jubilee’s transformative spirit into secular environments including workplaces and homes. He identified the Feast of the Holy Family as particularly symbolic for this transition, urging domestic units to become centers of hope and service amid growing secularization trends.
The Bishop’s closing remarks emphasized converting received blessings into tangible charitable actions as the diocese enters 2026. While the structured celebrations have ended, the enduring legacy of the Jubilee Year continues to inspire the community’s faith journey. The “Pilgrims of Hope” vocation remains active, encouraging believers to maintain strong spiritual foundations while engaging in proactive service. The spiritual benefits garnered throughout the year are expected to positively influence the diocese for years to come, reinforcing communal bonds among parishioners.