In this Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis invites us to embrace the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”  This theme serves as both a call and a reminder: we are a people journeying together, sustained by faith, moving toward the promise of new life in Christ.  It is a journey marked by challenges and uncertainties yet illuminated by the enduring light of hope.

In our journey of hope, we are reminded of the profound inter-connectedness of all humanity.  As Pope Francis frequently emphasizes, we are called to walk in solidarity, especially with the marginalized, the suffering, and the forgotten.  Hope compels us to be agents of mercy and reconciliation, building bridges where there are walls, and fostering peace in a fragmented world.  This Jubilee year challenges us to embody the hope we proclaim, transforming it into concrete acts of love and justice.

How am I living out the call to be an agent of hope and reconciliation in my family, my community, my workplace?

As pilgrims of faith, we trust that God’s plan is unfolding even when the path ahead seems unclear.  Our pilgrimage is both physical and spiritual, calling us to step outside of our comfort zones and encounter Christ in the faces of those we meet along the way.

“We must see Christ in every person, especially in the suffering and dying, and be His hands and heart to them.” Venerable Mary Potter.

As we reflect on being “Pilgrims of Hope,” we have Mary, the Mother of Hope as our example and Venerable Mary Potter our Founder, as our inspiration.  Mary’s fiat, her unwavering trust in God’s promises, and her presence at the foot of the Cross inspire us to persevere in faith. Mary teaches us to hold onto hope even in the darkest moments, trusting that God’s love and mercy will prevail. “When trials come, as they will, hold fast to this: God loves us infinitely and desires our good even when we cannot see it.” Venerable Mary Potter.

How can I imitate Mary’s courage and faith in moments of personal uncertainty?

May this Jubilee Year ignite within us a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to our shared journey. Let us walk together as pilgrims, bearing witness to the hope that comes from Christ and sharing it generously with a world in need.

What concrete steps can I take to share the hope of Christ with a world in need?

There is a Time for Hope

There is a time for hope because birth continues to happen
and because more people treasure life than despise it.

There is a time for hope because people find time to speak their values
to one another,
to love one another, to laugh with one another,
and to tell another that they have wept.

There is a time for hope because people believe in trust
and hope for a better future.

There is a time for hope because love has survived,
and the gospel has not been forgotten.

There is a time for hope because people are happier
when they heal one another than when they injure one another.

There is a time for hope because we all know that there has always been,
in human history, time for the human heart.
(Excerpts from “There is a Time for Hope” by Anthony Padovano)