Hope

Between Christmas Eve and today (January 5), Pope Francis opened a series of holy doors in the Vatican and throughout Rome, signifying the start of the Jubilee Year of Hope with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”  In line with an ancient tradition, the Catholic Church proclaims a Jubilee Year every 25 years to increase opportunities to experience God’s grace.  A Jubilee Year is a time of forgiveness, reconciliation and hope and a time for the faithful to embark on their own pilgrimages of faith.

This weekend Bishop Parkes invites all in the Diocese to join in person, or via live-stream, in the launching of the Jubilee Year of Hope with the solemn Opening Mass and Procession at St. Jude Cathedral.  Children are encouraged to dress as one of the Three Magi to join the procession symbolizing the journey of hope guided by the Word of God.  The faithful will be able to receive what is known as a plenary indulgence, or the cleansing of the soul as if the person has just been baptized.  Additional Jubilee Year activities, pilgrimages and other events will be held during the year which will formally conclude in Rome on January 6, 2026

For the first ordinary jubilee since the Great Jubilee of 2000, Pope Francis has chosen the theme of hope.  The Pontiff writes in his proclamation for the Holy Year, hope is “a virtue that does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love.”

Where did the idea of a Jubilee Year spring from?  Jubilees have biblical roots.  In the Mosaic era jubilee years were to be held every 50 years for the freeing of slaves and forgiveness of debts as a manifestation of God’s mercy.  In the year 1300, Pope Boniface VIII reestablished the practice.    Opening of the Holy Door is one of the essential elements of a jubilee year. These special doors, found at St. Peter’s Basilica and Rome’s three other papal basilicas, are sealed from the inside and only opened to walk through during the holy year.  Pope Francis himself opened two of the holy doors for the 2025 Jubilee saying: “For everyone, may the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere.  Wishing for the 2025 Jubilee to be a source of hope for those in hardship, Pope Francis established, for the first time, a Holy Door in a Roman prison. At the opening on December 26, St. Stephan Day, the commander of the Penitentiary said, “This is a gift of hope that is given to all of humanity and particularly to the humanity that lives in this prison environment.”

Among the jubilee visitors to Rome, it is estimated that 2.5 million will come from the United States.   Rome’s mayor remarked that, “A Jubilee is a special occasion, because it is not traditional tourism.  But naturally, those who visit will admire the beauty of Rome.”  To help visitors find their way to the countless number of faith-filled sites in Rome — and to uncover many of the city’s hidden gems – visitors can become pilgrims as they use their phones’ GPS to navigate the ancient streets of the Eternal City while learning more about its Christian history.  Visitors will be challenged to understand that “You are in the presence of God, who loves you and never abandons you, even in the moments you are suffering, you are in doubt, or you feel yourself alone.”

Let us then be drawn to this hope!  Mindful of the exhortation of St. Paul in the letter to the Ephesians may we remember that through our witness, we are sharing the mystery given to us for others’ benefit.  May the way we live – our words and actions – say to the world, in so many words: “Hold firm, take heart and hope in the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).  May we rely on God’s word, spoken to the prophet Jeremiah: ” I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not disaster.  I give you a future full of hope.”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Happy New Year – each day, all year long!

On this day after New Year’s, and on the eve of a special feast day here at Holy Name Monastery – the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus – I am sending you greetings, asking God that 2025 be filled with love, peace, and joy. There certainly is much to be grateful for, but the unknown can bring fear and uneasiness. Let us pray together that our Lord will guide our leaders to be men and women of integrity and honesty in serving the nation they were elected to serve and help. We pray for unity among us no matter what race, or creed we profess. Blessings and goodwill to all!   AMEN

 

 

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6              Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-6

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

 

 

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