As Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica, the evening of 24 December 2024, he ushered in the widely anticipated 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
In his homily Pope Francis said, ‘Sisters and brothers, this is the Jubilee. This is the season of hope in which we are invited to rediscover the joy of meeting the Lord. The Jubilee calls us to spiritual renewal and commits us to the transformation of our world, so that this year may truly become a time of jubilation. Dear sister, dear brother, on this night the “holy door” of God’s heart lies open before you. Jesus, God-with-us, is born for you, for me, for us, for every man and woman. And remember that with him, joy flourishes; with him, life changes; with him, hope does not disappoint.’[1]
The title of the Papal Bull for the Jubilee year, “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” is derived from the Apostle Paul’s address of encouragement to the Christian community of Rome during the 1st Century.
‘Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.’[2]
In the Papal Bull Pope Francis writes, ‘Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.’ [3]
We are excited that the Diocesan Launch for the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope will take place on Sunday 2 March. We will commence the day at Foreshore Park at 8am (across the road from Nobby’s beach) with a blessing from Bishop Michael and then walk together as pilgrims on a journey to the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Mass will commence at 10am with a festival to follow. The Caritas Project Launch will occur during the festival, there will be several stalls promoting the great opportunities for the Jubilee Year, which include local and international pilgrimage and other great experiences.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year as we come together to listen, share and learn from one another as pilgrims of hope. If you would like to share a good news story of hope from your community during the Jubilee Year please contact me at rose.mcallister@mn.catholic.org.au
[1] Opening of the Holy Door and Midnight Mass, Pope Francis, 24 Dec 2024, Vatican website, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024/documents/20241224-omelia-natale.html,
[2] Romans 5:1-5, NRSVCE, Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205%3A1-5&version=NRSVCE
[3] Spes Non Confundit, Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, Pope Francis, 9 May 2024, Vatican website, https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html
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