Encomiums, as the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye, on Sunday December 29, 2024 declared that the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti has set aside Holy Family Catholic Church, Basiri, Ado-Ekiti as the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Bishop Felix Ajakaye made this declaration at St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti during the Inauguration of the Jubilee Year, which signifies the official opening of a Year Long Celebrations earlier declared by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, with the theme: Pilgrims of Hope”. It is a year during which Catholics will seek what is known as plenary indulgence, or the cleansing of the soul as if the person has just been baptised.

The Inauguration ceremony started with the Introductory Rites where the message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis was read to the Pilgrims. According to the Holy Father, in the Jubilee year, “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighed vision”. The Introductory Rite was followed by the Procession of Pilgrims, led by the Bishop into the Cathedral for the blessing of the baptismal font and the Inaugural Mass.

Addressing the Pilgrims at the Cathedral, Bishop Felix Ajakaye congratulated the Bishop Emeritus of Ekiti, Most Rev. Michael Olatunji Fagun, Priests, Religious and the Lay Faithful in Ekiti Diocese, for witnessing the 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrimage of Hope”. He began his reflection on the note of gratitude. He thanked God for the mercies received. He commended the Pilgrims for their turnout and their active participation at the Inauguration of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Bishop Ajakaye explained the necessity of the Holy Cross that will be on the Sanctuary, close to the Altar throughout the celebrations of the Jubilee year. He encouraged the Pilgrims to carry their crosses with faith, charged them to be hopeful in God, committed to the Catholic Faith and Love one another as the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti declared the year 2025 as “Year of Love and Commitment”.

The Bishop maintained that dedicating Holy Family Catholic Church, Ado-Ekiti as the Pilgrimage Centre for the Diocese makes it an extension of the Holy Land for those that may not be able to travel on Pilgrimage to Rome during the Jubilee Year. He therefore encouraged the Pilgrims to visit the Pilgrimage Centre with a Renewed Hope, Faith and Love.

The Mass for the closing of the 2025 Jubilee Year in the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, according to Bishop Ajakaye, by the grace of God, will take place on Sunday, 28 December, 2025, also at St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti.