2025 Is a Jubilee Year, Calling Us to Be “Pilgrims of Hope”

2025 Is a Jubilee Year, Calling Us to Be “Pilgrims of Hope”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

As we step into the Jubilee Year 2025, we are invited to embark on a journey as “Pilgrims of Hope,” the theme chosen by Pope Francis for this holy year. This is not just a title; it is a call to renewal, a time to walk together with Christ and rediscover the hope that only God can give.

 

The concept of a “jubilee year” has deep scriptural roots. In the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year was a sacred time proclaimed every 50 years in Israel (Leviticus 25). It was a year of freedom, forgiveness, and restoration. Debts were forgiven, slaves were set free, and the land was allowed to rest. It was a time to recognize that everything ultimately belongs to God and to allow His mercy and justice to renew the community.

 

In the Catholic tradition, a jubilee year is a time of special grace. As with the Jubilee of 2000, every twenty-five years we celebrate the anniversary of our salvation in Christ. It is an invitation for us to return to God with all our hearts, to be renewed by His mercy, and to rediscover the joy of living as His beloved children. Pope Francis describes it as “a time to experience the closeness of God, who holds us tenderly in His arms, forgives us, and fills us with His peace.”

 

Our two parishes are vibrant and faith-filled communities, but we can always strive for a deeper connection with God. The Jubilee Year is a sacred opportunity to journey toward the life-giving hope that flows from God’s mercy and love. While we may not have jubilee “Holy Doors” in our own country, we are invited to make our churches places of pilgrimage by intentionally entering them with prayerful hearts, seeking God’s extraordinary grace in our daily lives. Every time we approach the altar or seek His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we step closer to the heart of Christ.

 

Here in our collaborative parishes, we will reflect deeply on this theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” during our Lenten Mission. Together, we will explore how hope can illuminate the darkest corners of our lives and lead us to the peace only God can provide. If there is enough interest and plans allow, we may also organize a pilgrimage to Rome with Fr. Patrick, an opportunity to encounter the universal Church and the Holy Father.

 

Hope grows when we root ourselves in prayer and the sacraments. Take time for quiet moments with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Rediscover the healing power of Confession and Reconciliation. Allow the Eucharist to transform you, not just on Sunday but every day. As Pope Francis says, “Prayer changes us. It opens us to hope and to the light of God’s presence.”

 

As pilgrims, let us also become signs of hope to others. Open your heart to someone who is searching, bring hope to the lonely, and share your faith with the next generation. This is not just a time for individual renewal but a call to strengthen our parish family.

 

Together, as pilgrims of hope, let us set out on this holy journey. Let us seek the face of Christ in prayer, encounter His mercy in the sacraments, and bring His hope to the world. May this Jubilee Year be a time of grace and renewal for all.

 

Your fellow Pilgrim, 

Fr. Joe