2025 is a Year of Jubilee! In the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year was a time of renewal and celebration. Debts were cancelled, people could rest, and because crops weren’t planted even the land was able to rest. It was also a time of freedom: prisoners and slaves were freed, and land was given to those who didn’t have any. It was known as the year of the Lord’s favour. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Jesus makes it clear that his mission is to bring the justice and freedom of the Jubilee and we are called to share in his mission. At CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, this mission of Jesus is at the heart of what we do. This Jubilee year starts when billions of people across the world live in poverty, in war and suffering injustice. We need to take to heart this message of the Jubilee. It has to be a special, holy year of forgiveness and mercy, a time to reset, to renew our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
Pope Francis has called this Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. It is an invitation to renew our hope, a hope which comes from knowing that God loves each one of us, whoever we are. Pope Francis asks us to be signs of hope for others through caring for our common home and supporting our sisterand brothers who are experiencing war, hunger or poverty. We know that the world is facing many of these challenges… but you are one of millions of people who are joining together in the Jubilee Year to bring the light of hope and the message of God’s love to every part of the world.
How can we be Pilgrims of Hope this year? Here are our top five suggestions:
Join us for an upbeat and lively Introduction to the Jubilee Year on Saturday, 18 January, 10:30am-12:00pm online. With Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission for the Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Christine Allen, our Director, and Kayode Akintola, our Head of Africa. Join us for prayer and reflection, with music from Catholic band Ooberfuse, and so much more, as we explore how to celebrate Jubilee and be a sign of hope in this holy year. Register now for free at cafod.org.uk/jubilee
Use our reflection guide to explore the biblical background to the Jubilee Year, be encouraged by stories of change from our global family and reflect on God’s call for you in this special year. Use it in groups, as a church or individually.
As we begin the Jubilee Year 2025, we face the most acute global debt crisis in history. Jubilee years in the Church have traditionally been a time for addressing inequality and restoring equality, and of cancelling debts. Pope Francis has called for action on the debt crisis in the Jubilee Year, saying, “More than a question of generosity, this is matter of justice.” Sign the global petition calling for action at cafod.org.uk/campaign
You can make a huge difference to people living in poverty this Jubilee Year by giving a regular gift to CAFOD. Support us and our partners across the world, working wherever the need is greatest. cafod.org.uk/give
Lend a hand. The Jubilee is a great time to lend us a hand with our work in your parish, your local schools, your networks or in a variety of other ways. Your help can bring communities together, raise awareness of our global sisters and brothers and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. cafod.org.uk/volunteer
Celebrate the Jubilee in Schools. Children and young people in Catholic schools will celebrate the Jubilee year, journeying together as pilgrims of hope and agents of change. Join the Jubilee for Schools Launch Day on 24 January 2025 and find our framework of events and resources at: jubilee-schools.org.uk
All our Jubilee resources for the Jubilee can be found at cafod.org.uk/jubilee We wish you a joyful and hope-filled Jubilee! Angela Powell
