Dear Priests, Religious, Seminarians, Pre-Novices, and Parish Council Members,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
It is with deep joy that I address you today as we gather in the Cathedral Hall to mark the opening of the Namibian Catholic Bishop Conference Plenary and inaugurate the Jubilee Year of 2025—a sacred time to reflect, renew, and rejoice in the boundless love of God.
In this significant moment, I recall the words of Pope Francis: “The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept His offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness, and loneliness.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 1). As we embark on this Jubilee Year, let us renew our commitment to be authentic witnesses of this joy, living as a vibrant and united Church, rooted in the Gospel and led by the Spirit.
This year of grace is an invitation to deepen our faith, strengthen our mission, and journey together as a community of hope and love. As priests, religious, seminarians, pre-novices, and parish council members, you are called to be the heart and hands of Christ in your respective ministries. Your unwavering dedication and tireless service are a testimony to the living presence of Christ among His people.
Let us, as Pope Francis encourages, “go out to the peripheries,” reaching out to those on the margins of society, bringing healing, mercy, and hope. This Jubilee Year calls us to embrace the spirit of reconciliation, justice, and solidarity, building bridges of peace in our communities and fostering a culture of encounter.
May this sacred time also be a moment of renewal for each one of you. Through prayer, the Eucharist, and the Word of God, may you draw closer to the Lord and rediscover the zeal of your vocation. I urge you to encourage and accompany one another, especially the young seminarians and pre-novices among us, who are the future of the Church in Namibia. In reflecting on this special year, I recall the words of Pope Francis: “To evangelize, therefore, it is necessary to open ourselves once again to the horizon of God’s Spirit, without being afraid of what he asks us or of where he leads us”. (General Audience on May 22, 2013). Dear religious and pre-novices, you are a vital part of this mission, called to embody the Gospel with courage, humility, and joy in every aspect of your lives.
As consecrated persons and those discerning the beauty of the religious vocation, your witness is a light for the Church and the world. You remind us of the primacy of God in our lives, showing that true fulfillment is found in following Christ. The Jubilee Year challenges you to deepen your intimacy with Him, through prayer, service, and community life, so that you may continue to radiate His love to all people.
To you, dear pre-novices, this is a moment to cherish the gift of your calling. Let this Jubilee inspire you to embrace your formation journey with openness and trust in God’s providence. As Pope Francis encourages, “There is one particular way of listening to what the Lord wishes to tell us in his word and of letting ourselves be transformed by the Spirit.” (Evangelii Gaudium). Your growth and formation contribute to the Church’s strength and vitality for the future. I encourage each of you to embody the Jubilee themes of reconciliation, justice, and love. Seek to build bridges in your communities and be agents of hope and healing in a world that so desperately needs the compassion of Christ. The witness of your lives, marked by simplicity, sacrifice, and joy, will inspire countless others to encounter the living God.
As we move forward together in faith, I entrust this Jubilee Year and all its endeavors to the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the prayers of all the saints. May they guide and inspire us as we journey forward in the mission entrusted to us by Christ.
May the blessings of Almighty God accompany you, strengthen you, and grant you peace and joy in this Jubilee Year and always.
+Archbp. Henryk Jagodziński
Apostolic Nuncio to Namibia
26 January, 2025
