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| On the left: Mons. Eugenio Luis Rugarcia, Bishop of Matamoros, On the right: Mons. Jose Luis Cerra Luna, Bishop of Nogales, Sonora |
As the global Catholic Church embarks on the Jubilee Year 2025, a sacred time of renewal and hope declared by Pope Francis, two Mexican church leaders are playing significant roles on both national and international stages.
Mons. Eugenio Lira RugarcΓa, Bishop of Matamoros, has joined clergy from around the world in Rome for the Jubilee of Bishops and Priests, one of the cornerstone events of the Holy Year. His presence underscores a deep commitment to the Church’s mission of mercy, evangelization, and inclusion. In Rome, through liturgies, moments of reflection, and shared prayer, Bishop Lira RugarcΓa stands as a sign of unity and spiritual leadership, embodying the Jubilee theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The Jubilee Year, inaugurated on Christmas Eve 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, calls all the faithful into a year-long spiritual journey. It invites Catholics to renew their faith, embrace works of mercy, and experience the liberating grace of forgiveness. Holy Doors are being opened not only in Rome’s major basilicas but also in places of suffering and marginalization, such as the Rebibbia prison—reflecting the Church’s outreach to all people.
Within this historic context, Bishop Lira RugarcΓa’s participation highlights the pastoral continuity and transformative energy that define the Jubilee. His leadership in Matamoros—marked by compassionate service and a commitment to justice—resonates deeply with the goals of this holy year, inspiring both clergy and laity to live their faith more fully in a fragmented world.
In a parallel moment of significance, Pope Leo XIV has made his first episcopal appointment in Mexico, naming Father JosΓ© Luis Cerr Luna, rector of the Co-Cathedral of Reynosa, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Nogales, Sonora. This announcement, made through the Apostolic Nunciature in Mexico, comes at a time when the Church is reimagining its pastoral mission. Bishop-designate Cerr’s new role aligns with the spirit of the Jubilee, as the Church calls its leaders to be shepherds of mercy, renewal, and hope.
Bishop Cerr, who also joins his fellow bishops in Rome during the Jubilee convocation, steps into his new ministry at a pivotal moment. His appointment reflects the Church’s ongoing investment in nurturing pastoral leadership across regions and highlights the shared vocation of service among all bishops.
Throughout 2025, the Jubilee will offer Catholics around the world opportunities for pilgrimage, plenary indulgences, and spiritual renewal through the sacraments and acts of charity. Events and resources provided by the Vatican and local dioceses aim to make this grace-filled year accessible to all; families, youth, religious, and the marginalized alike.
Rooted in the biblical Jubilee of Leviticus, this Holy Year is a celebration of freedom, justice, and reconciliation. As the Church walks forward together, leaders like Bishop Lira RugarcΓa and Bishop-designate Cerr are guiding lights, offering pastoral care not only through their words but through the witness of their lives.
Together, they invite the faithful to embrace the call of the Jubilee: to journey forward as Pilgrims of Hope, trusting in the transformative power of grace and the enduring light of faith.
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| Top left: Editor with Mons. Eugenio Lira Rugarcia, Bottom left: Jerry Danache with Mons. Eugenio Lira Rugarcia, Right: Symbols of Jubilee 2025 |
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