“Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5)  These are the first words of the official announcement of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 entitled “Pilgrims of Hope.”  Our Holy Father Pope Francis follows the ancient tradition of announcing a Jubilee Year for the Church.  He says: “For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as ‘our hope’ (1Tim 1:1)   Pope Francis opened the Holy Year Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, 2024 and the year concludes on January 6, 2026.

“The Jubilee is called Holy Year, not only because its beginning and end is marked with solemn holy acts, but also because its purpose is o encourage holiness of life.  It is convoked to strengthen faith, encourage works of charity and brotherly communion within the Church and in society and to call Christians to be more sincere and coherent in their faith in Christ, the only Savior” (vat.va)

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.  May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven.  May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.  To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.  AMEN