The 2025 Jubilee will officially open on 24 December 2024, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father. The rite of the opening of the Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Hallam will take place on Saturday 28 December, at a special celebration at which Bishop Ralph will preside. The celebration will start at the Sheffield Anglican Cathedral at 12:30pm, from which there will be a procession to St Marie’s Cathedral for the opening Mass. All from across the Diocese are encouraged to come and celebrate the beginning of this special year, in which all are invited “to an intense experience of the love of God” and “a lively experience of grace and hope” (Francis, Spes non confundit, 6)!
Pilgrims of Hope
The theme of the Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it is a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis. The theme is an invitation to Catholics to renew their hope in Christ and to share that hope with others.
Pilgrim Passport
Every parish Church has now received copies of a Diocese of Hallam ‘Pilgrim Passport’ for distribution to parishioners. This Passport gives us all a copy of the Jubilee Prayer, describes the theme of the Jubilee Year, gives details of the designated pilgrimage places in the diocese and provides an events calendar through 2025.
Jubilee Icon
In order to celebrate and commemorate the Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, CAFOD commissioned an icon from artist Mulugeta Araya in Ethiopia, for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Diocese of Hallam will receive the national Jubilee Icon in November 2025, for the Jubilee of Volunteers at Immaculate Conception, Rotherham, on 15 November. The icon interprets Jesus’ teaching of healing and liberation in the Synagogue in Luke 4:16-21, which refers to Isaiah 61:1-2. This passage is particularly relevant to the Jubilee given its emphasis on bringing good news to those who are poor, and liberty to those who are captive or oppressed.
CAFOD Initiatives
CAFOD has produced a Jubilee 2025 Reflection Guide to help parishes, groups and individuals to prepare for the Jubilee year. It is available as an online download or a booklet to order from CAFOD’s website, the guide has reflections on different themes within Luke 4:16-21 and is suitable for individual or group use over the course of four sessions, or only one session if preferred. It can be used at any point during the Jubilee year.
Jubilee of Youth
If you have a young parishioner aged 16 to 30 whom you would like to send to the Jubilee of Youth in Rome from July 28 to August 4 with Bishop Ralph Heskett then contact Sue McDonald. Director of Youth Ministry, for details and a booking form. A wonderful experience for our young people.
Jubilee for Schools
All schools are invited to journey together, supported by a framework of inspiring resources and events created by the Catholic Education Service with CAFOD. Schools across the country will be celebrating the Jubilee year by putting faith into action and pledging to build a better world. The suite of resources available includes a witness banner for the school gates, a Jubilee explainer animation and much more. Visit Jubilee-schools.org.uk for resources and information. Tony Strike
