On December 13 in Segovia, by the tomb of St. John of the Cross took place the solemn celebration of the Eucharist and opening of the Holy Door, visible signs of the official beginning of St. John of the Cross Centenaries. The celebration was presided by the bishop of Segovia accompanied by the bishop of Avila, the Father General of our Order, the Provincials of the Iberian, Portuguese and Navarre Provinces, representatives of the City of Segovia, and numerous religious.
On December 14, Solemnity of St. John of the Cross, also started the Jubilee Year of St. John of the Cross in the Diocese of Avila, at the parish of St. Cyprian of Fontiveros, birthplace of the saint. The Eucharist was presided by the bishop of Avila, Monsignor Jesús Rico, and started with the opening of the Jubilee Holy Door. In Avila the day started by the saint’s monument, with a prayer led by Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez, and continued with a procession to the Basilica of St. Teresa, where it was officially declared a Jubilee church.
On December 15 the Holy Door was opened in Ubeda. The celebration, presided by the bishop of Jaén, Monsignor Sebastian Chico Martínez, started in St. Paul’s Parish, and continued with a pilgrimage to St. John of the Cross oratory. There the doors were officially opened and they prayed before the tomb and relics of the saint. The Eucharist was then celebrated in the church of San Miguel, with multitudinous participation.
The following places have been established as Jubilee sites associated with these centenaries:
- Ubeda, place of his death
- Segovia, the place where his tomb is
- The Diocese of Avila, with the city of Avila and Fontiveros, place of his birth
In this way a shared journey begins which invites all to go in pilgrimage, pray and rediscover the timeless power of St. John of the Cross’ message. May this Jubilee Year help us to walk with depth, fraternity and hope.
