Palo: The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo has urged the public to focus on their spiritual journey with Christ rather than planning vacations during this Lenten season, particularly as the Church prepares to mark 2025 as a Jubilee Year.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Jubilee Year is a significant event celebrated by the Church every 25 years, and Pope Francis has themed the 2025 celebration as "Pilgrims of Hope."

In the Catholic tradition, a Jubilee or Holy Year is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation, encouraging individuals to restore their relationship with God, one another, and the broader creation. Fr. Chris Arthur Militante, the communications director for the archdiocese, stressed that Holy Week is more than just a commemoration; it is an invitation to 'relive' the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"We encourage people to spend more time for the Lord by participating in various religious activities like masses, pilgrimages, processions, or church visitations," Militante stated during an interview with reporters. He urged the faithful to be 'spiritually present' from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, engaging in practices such as confession, fasting, and attending the 'Easter Triduum' liturgies.

Militante also highlighted the broader purpose behind fasting and abstinence, emphasizing that it should extend beyond refraining from eating meat to include limiting the use of mobile phones, social media, work, and other regular activities. For the archdiocese, a highlight of the upcoming Lenten season is the Lenten presentation known locally as 'Pamalandong', regarded as Eastern Visayas' most prominent reenactment of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.

The reenactment is scheduled to begin at noon on Good Friday, April 17, and conclude at 3 p.m., coinciding with the crucifixion of Christ. Located 12 kilometers south of Tacloban, Palo town serves as the seat of the ecclesiastical province, housing the Archdiocese and the residence of the Roman Catholic archbishop.