Originally published at Orange County Catholic
CHRIST CATHEDRAL overflowed with believers from all walks of life as the Diocese of Orange kicked off its local celebration of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee
Year on a cold and foggy final Sunday of the year.
THE YEAR OF HOPE CROSS WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THE DIOCESE AND CONTAINS VARIOUS SYMBOLS SPECIFIC TO ORANGE COUNTY. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The Jubilee Year is an invitation for all Catholics worldwide to rediscover the presence of God and reinvigorate trust in His promise. The Dec. 29 Mass, celebrated
by Bishop Kevin Vann, featured the Year of Hope Cross, specially designed for the Diocese and containing various symbols specific to Orange County, such as an orange tree and St. Junípero Serra (founder of Mission San Juan Capistrano).
The Church has designated this year’s theme to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“Hope, as St. Paul would say, does not disappoint us,” said Bishop Vann during his homily. “It is one of the great theological virtues. It is a sense of expectation for what is to come, and that God will be faithful to us … and we approach the New Year in hope, knowing that the Lord will be with us and show us
