This year, we are celebrating a Church Jubilee.
A Jubilee is a special year of grace, in which the Catholic Church offers the faithful the possibility of asking for a plenary indulgence and removing punishments for sin through the merits of Jesus Christ. The Pope has named the theme of the Jubilee as “Pilgrims of Hope”. Our first sign of hope should be to desire peace in our world. Let’s all be confident and jubilant companions on a journey, moving towards a new destination.
Often we come across people who are discouraged, gloomy and desperate about the future, not knowing how to bring happiness into their lives. In the heart of each person, everyone expects good things to come. God’s word can be our guide; it helps us find reasons for that hope. Let us have meaningful signs of hope for the sick, for the elderly and for those that experience difficulties of any kind and let us pray for each other.
For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to renew our relationship with God. Jesus is our hope. We are also encouraged during this Jubilee, to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
To mark the Jubilee, a banner and an anchor are travelling throughout the Diocese of Prince Albert. In February, the anchor and banner were welcomed at the Care Home of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.
The ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ logo, symbolizes four stylized figures that represent humanity coming from the four corners of the earth. The cross is shaped like an anchor. They are all combined into one symbol which is part of the 2025 Jubilee. The anchor means to hold something in place, to be in security, it is a symbol of hope. Hope anchors our soul. Jesus is our hope. Let us radiate hope.
Saint Marie Rivier, foundress of the Sisters would say,
“Let us put all our hope in Jesus Christ to renew our love for Jesus Christ,”
We are all invited to become Pilgrims of Hope, filled with the love of Christ.
On Friday, Father Michael Averyt celebrated the mass , we first started by reciting the ‘Jubilee Prayer’ composed by Pope Francis, then following this, we sang the official Hymn the “Jubilee Song” text composed by Msgr Piereangelo Sequeri.
‘Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arises to you.
Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you.”
Some special petitions were read relating to the Jubilee and the written ones were put in the box at the foot of the anchor. To finish off, we recited special prayers for Pope Francis’ intentions. All ended with an afternoon of adoration.
May we all pray for the grace to live in hope and to keep in mind during the year to:
‘Hope in the Lord! Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord’. Psalm 27; 14
