Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday called on all faithful in the diocese to actively join in the celebration of the Feast of San Sebastian on Jan. 20 which will usher the Jubilee celebration of the diocese.

He said San Sebastian 's life and his witnessing of his faith should awaken that sense of belongingness among the people of the diocese as the church marks its 75 th Jubilee celebration.

On Jan. 19, vespers of San Sebastian 's feast day, the bishop will open the Cathedral door to declare the San Sebastian Cathedral as the pilgrimage site of the Jubilee and to announce the grant of plenary indulgences.

Bishop's secretary and Chancellor Fr. Brethen Rye Gamala said the opening of the door is a symbolic way of crossing the threshold of the Jubilee and leading the diocese and the faithful into the heart of the church and into the next jubilee.

San Sebastian Rector Fr. Felix Pasquin said various committees were created to insure that the significance of the Jubilee celebration is translated into meaningful activities.

Religious pilgrimages for every sector in the community will be held in the cathedral throughout the year, Pasquin said.

The activities hope to create an atmosphere of awareness and consciousness among the people and motivate them to practice their faith as people of the church, Navarra said.

Noting that most of the faithful have remained “nominal” in their faith, he said that revival and active participation in Basic Ecclesial Communities should be encouraged.

Navarra also expressed hope that the celebration will produce the kind of grace in the hearts of the faithful that will embolden them in defending their faith despite difficulties and persecution.

Meanwhile, as part of the celebration of the feast of San Sebastian , pilgrimage walk from the different parishes of the Central Vicariate of the diocese to the cathedral will be held on Jan. 19 at 4:30 p.m. , Fr. Chris Gonzales said.

Activities during the fiesta celebration of Jan. 20 include a concelebrated mass, medical mission and rummage sale in the morning and procession and parish night in the afternoon.*NAB

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