Pilgrims of Hope embark on Jubilee Journey
Catholics have been invited to embark on a journey of faith and transformation as the Jubilee Year of Hope begins around the world.
A Jubilee Year, proclaimed every 25 years, is a special year set aside to encourage pilgrimage, repentance and spiritual renewal.
The theme for this year, chosen by Pope Francis, is ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’
“Hope does not disappoint,” the Holy Father said, urging the faithful to rediscover the value of pilgrimage and uncover the signs of hope by getting involved in Works of Mercy.
“In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and outcome of good things to come.”
Archbishop Christopher Prowse said while many pilgrims would make their way to Rome and other ancient pilgrimage sites, the Pope had encouraged local pilgrimages.
The Archbishop designated four pilgrimage centres around the Archdiocese –
St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka,
Sts Peter and Paul in Goulburn,
Our Lady Star of the Sea in Eden and
St Clement’s in Galong.
Each site offers a unique pilgrimage experience.
At St Christopher’s Cathedral, pilgrims will take a self-guided tour through the ‘home of the Archdiocese.’ In Goulburn, they stand in the resplendent beauty of the Old Cathedral, lovingly restored over many years. In Eden, pilgrims can walk in the footsteps of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first Catholic Saint, and in Galong, they are invited to Mass in the picturesque grounds of St Clement’s monastery.
“These are already pilgrimage centres,” the Archbishop said.
“Now we are going to bring them into greater focus – prayers for the way we travel there either physically or just electronically, understanding what a pilgrimage might mean, and most of all, engendering hope in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.”
Pilgrims around the Archdiocese can collect a ‘Pilgrim Passport’ from any of the designated churches and add a special stamp at each of the four locations.
“Pilgrimage is a fundamental element of the Jubilee,” Fr Tony Percy explained.
“A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.”
Fr Tony Percy said the Pope had highlighted three things as signs of hope during the great year.
“Praying for peace is the first sign of hope, given our world is once again immersed in the tragedy of war,” he said.
“The second sign of hope entails having enthusiasm of life and a readiness to share it. The desire of young people to give birth to new sons and daughters as a sign of the fruitfulness of their love ensures a future for every society.
“The third sign of hope is lifting up those who experience hardships of any kind, through works of mercy.”
“We are on the move closer to Jesus in the Jubilee Year of pilgrimage, the year of Pilgrims of Hope,” Archbishop Prowse said.
“Join us, get yourself involved in your local communities, and let us open ourselves to the grace of this Jubilee Year.”