The Diocese of Oakland will open the 2025 Holy Year of Hope with a special Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the Light on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. Instead of a Holy Door, the emphasis will be on a Holy Cross. The Pope has directed each bishop to choose a Cross with special significance to be the focus of attention and devotion.
Thanks to the kindness of Father Anthony Huong Le, pastor of St.Joseph's Old Mission San Jose, we will be using the Foundation Cross used by the Franciscan Friars in 1797 to establish Mission San Jose. They planted the Cross, then built the Mission and the Native American Catholic Community- around this Cross. This Cross will be carried in procession in the Holy Year Opening Mass, and remain in a prominent place for veneration in the Cathedral for the duration of the Holy Year.
The Cross of Christ is the means of our salvation. Hence it is the ultimate sign of hope.
I invite all the Faithful of the diocese to join me on Sunday January 19 at 11 a.m. for this Holy Year of Hope Opening Mass. The Priests' Council and I will be meeting on January 21 to discuss additional ways to observe and celebrate the Holy Year in our diocese.
-Bishop Barber Communication 1/10/25