The traveling Jubilee cross was transported by Father William “Pila” Tulua from Holy Rosary Church in Pahala, left, to Sacred Heart Church in Naalehu, in Hawaii island’s remote Kau district. (Photos courtesy Father William “Pila” Tulua)
By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Since the start of the Jubilee Year, the Diocese of Honolulu has provided Catholics across the state with a unique way to feel spiritually connected to Rome as well as to each other.
In addition to the official Jubilee cross that resides at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu, Bishop Larry Silva commissioned a smaller version that could be transported across the island chain — allowing parishioners who might not be able to travel to Oahu a chance to see the Jubilee cross.
Visiting and venerating the Jubilee cross also enables people to obtain a Jubilee Year indulgence as long as the “ordinary conditions” are met, according to a fact sheet provided by the diocese — “namely, detachment from sin, sacramental confession, reception of holy Communion, and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, with one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.”
The so-called traveling Jubilee cross has racked up the miles since January, appearing in more than half of the state’s nine vicariates. Vicariates that span more than one island, such as Maui-Lanai and Central Oahu-Molokai, have been split up, with the smaller islands experiencing the cross first.
Lanai’s lone parish, Sacred Hearts Church in Lanai City, hosted the traveling Jubilee cross in late April and early May.
“We felt really blessed to have the Jubilee cross visit our community,” said parish administrator Father Marcialito Maglana. “Its presence filled our hearts with joy and inspired us to reflect on our faith.”
“Living on an isolated island, we sometimes feel disconnected from the wider Catholic community,” Father Maglana continued. “But the Jubilee cross reminded us that we’re part of a bigger family, united in celebrating God’s mercy.”
Before it alighted on Lanai, the traveling Jubilee cross was taken to the East Honolulu Vicariate in its first official tour of the year.
Holy Trinity Church in Kuliouou was among the parishes to host the cross in February.
Franciscan Father Mike Dalton, pastor of Holy Trinity, said the cross was “well received and appreciated by the many lay faithful who will not have the opportunity to travel to Rome and experience going through the Holy Doors firsthand.”
(Not only is passing through the Holy Doors a profound Jubilee Year experience for Catholics, it is also another way to obtain a Jubilee Year indulgence.)
Father Dalton added that the descriptions of the cross provided by the diocese were helpful for all in understanding its various components.
“This experience offered a connection between what is taking place in Rome and linking it with our home parish setting,” he said. “Rome came to us since many of us can’t go to Rome!”
Between East Honolulu and Lanai, the traveling Jubilee cross was taken to Hawaii island where it spent six weeks at parishes in the West Hawaii and East Hawaii vicariates.
Its journey included stops at some of the most far-flung parishes in the diocese — Holy Rosary Church in Pahala and Sacred Heart Church in Naalehu.
Father William “Pila” Tulua is pastor of both churches and said the cross “was met with wonderful enthusiasm,” even though its itinerary meant some parishioners missed the cross when it was moved from one church to another.
Overall, though, many were happy to see the cross and were “amazed at how beautiful it was,” Father Tulua said. Parishioners were “thankful (that) the diocese thought about us in Kau (the remote Hawaii island district where Holy Rosary and Sacred Heart are located).”
In his recollection of the traveling Jubilee cross’ visit to Lanai, Father Maglana offered a comment that could be shared among parishes both small and large: “Its visit was a beautiful reminder that no matter where we are or what challenges we face, God’s love and mercy are always with us.”
The traveling Jubilee cross is now on Kauai until the middle of next month. To learn more about the cross, including descriptions of its components and where it will be in the future, go to www.catholichawaii.org/jubilee2025.
