World hope in Dresden: Holy Year 2025 opened!

On January 5, 2025, the Holy Year 2025 began in the cathedral in Dresden with a ceremonial opening by Bishop Timmerevers. This opening followed the solemn opening of the Holy Pforte in St. Peter's Basilica on December 24, 2024 by Pope Francis. Bishop Timmerevers encouraged the communities to put the topic of "hope" at the center of their pastoral action. Pope Francis' announcement bull "Spes Non Confundit" calls for Christian hope.

As part of the opening ceremony, a procession took place in which a replica of a crosspone from Assisi, a loan from the Dresden St. Benno-Gymnasium, was borne. This icon shows the cross, in front of which St. Francis often prayed. Pupils from the St. Benno-Gymnasium took part in joint retreats in Assisi and reported on their experiences with the icon cross-view during the service. The choir of the St. Benno-Gymnasium under the direction of Maria Poyiadji-Fink took over the musical design of the procession, while the service was designed by the Dresden Kapellknaben under the direction of Domkapellmeister Christian Bonath. In addition, the event was broadcast online on YouTube.

topic of hope

The Holy Year 2025 of the Catholic Church invites you to re -evaluate the origin of the Christian faith and sees the birth of Jesus 2025 years ago as the beginning of a significant history of hope. The official start was celebrated on Christmas Eve by Pope Francis.

As part of the worldwide opening in all Bischofskirchen, the Christmas OKTAV took place on the 1. Sunday. Another opening service in the Innsbruck Cathedral is planned for December 29, 2024 at 10 a.m. The Austrian Bishops' Conference has invited the municipalities to participate in a “novene for peace” for the opening of the Holy Year. This prayer series, which was created by Bishop Hermann Glettler and Auxiliary Bishop Anton Leichtfried, begins on December 29 and ends on January 6th, but can also be used later.

The official start in the parishes of the diocese will be carried out on February 2, 2025 (Maria Lichtmess) with solemn services. During the Holy Year, numerous offers are planned in parishes, pastor rooms and church facilities, with many small initiatives being sought that adapt to the overall topic of the year.