Women from Dibrugarh Parish Undertake Jubilee Pilgrimage to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh, Assam, June 3, 2025: Over 220 women from various sub-stations of Dibrugarh Parish undertook a spiritual pilgrimage to the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dibrugarh on June 1, 2025, as part of the Jubilee Year celebrations. Organised under the leadership of the parish’s Women's Commission president, Mrs. Pushpa Champia, the pilgrimage began from the Bishop’s House in Dibrugarh and included a candlelight procession, catechism session, confessions and Holy Mass. The event aimed to deepen participants’ faith and understanding of the spiritual graces of the Jubilee Year.

The day commenced with the women gathering at the threshold of the residence of the Bishop of Dibrugarh. From there, they proceeded in a solemn candlelight procession to the Marian grotto, reciting the Rosary. At the grotto, Sr. Philomena Osga, MSMHC, delivered an inspiring Marian talk that set a contemplative tone for the day’s events.

Following the procession, the women assembled inside the Sacred Heart Cathedral for a catechism session on indulgences, conducted by Mr. Deepak Ekka. “Our sins are forgiven when we make our confession, but the punishment for our sins may remain pending. However, when we undertake a pilgrimage with the intention of receiving indulgences, the temporal punishment for our forgiven sins is removed by the mercy of God,” Mr. Ekka explained.

After catechism, the pilgrims availed themselves of the opportunity for individual confessions and participated in the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

The pilgrimage concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, coinciding with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Fr. Cyril Purty, parish priest of the cathedral, presided over the Mass and delivered a homily centred on forgiveness and the call to be witnesses of the risen Lord. 

“The disciples of Jesus preached the forgiveness of sins and bore witness to Him, even to the point of laying down their lives. I urge you, dear pilgrims, to bear witness to Christ through your life of faith,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Fr. Gabriel Kujur, Judicial Vicar General of the Diocese and co-pastor of the cathedral, offered a reflection on the significance of the Jubilee Year and its spiritual value for the faithful.

The pilgrimage was a deeply enriching experience for all participants. Many expressed gratitude and spiritual renewal. 

“I am so happy that I came here for this pilgrimage. We must visit other pilgrimage centres declared in the diocese as well,” shared Mrs. Juspin Barla. Another pilgrim, Mrs. Stella Minj, remarked, “I never knew about indulgences before. Now that I understand, I want to make more pilgrimages to receive these blessings.”

The Jubilee pilgrimage not only deepened the faith of the women of Dibrugarh Parish but also strengthened their sense of community and commitment to living out the call of the Jubilee Year of Hope.

By Fr. William Horo