PILGRIMS OF HOPE: A JOURNEY TOWARD THE SACRED

“Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God…” (Spes non confundit, 6).

I could barely contain my excitement as we arrived at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. There I stood, 2,200 miles from home gazing up at the dedicated Jubilee 2025 site for the United States. Inside, our group learned about the beautiful chapels dedicated to Mary and the meaning behind each intentional image on the ceiling and walls.

In these days I will pour out my spirit upon all mankind. (c.f. Joel 2:28, as it appears in the basilica) These words declared by the prophet Joel, fulfilled in Acts, and continued today shone above us, and a mural of the universal call to holiness was prominent on the wall above the entrance. We were in a holy place, filled with the hope and joy of the Lord experienced by the saints and commissioned to us today.

A pilgrimage is a journey to the sacred, with a desire to encounter our Lord in a new way. In many ways, a pilgrimage is entering into a visio divina of a living tapestry—an intersection of the past and the present, bridged together over time by our shared hope for what is yet to come. People travel from far distances to touch old stones, see holy doors, and feel their stories—their original vibrancy weathered over time revealing their strength and the beauty of foundations that last. Upon these old stones and towering arches, humble cottages and ancient cathedrals, the faithful continue to build the Church brick by brick with new stories of hope that they share with the saints.

For the faithful, a pilgrimage remains a beautiful practice of pausing from their daily distractions and journeying towards a destination with spiritual significance. Although this typically means physically traveling somewhere—whether that is in their own backyard or across the sea—the journey itself is one of spiritual movement and encountering God in a deeper way. Pope Francis declared 2025 a jubilee year and invited the faithful to be “pilgrims of hope.” As “pilgrims of hope,” he called the faithful to use this time of spiritual journeying to strengthen their faith and recognize the importance of hope as a guiding force as they face the challenges of the world. Jubilee years find their origins in biblical tradition and provide an intentional focus on reconciliation and renewal. This happens through intensified prayer, participation in the sacraments, deeper study of Scripture and Tradition, and visits to sacred sites on pilgrimage. Pilgrimages are not reserved for jubilee years, but it is during this time that the faithful are intentionally invited to experience one.

There are many opportunities to participate in the shared pilgrimages of our larger Church this year. Not all of us are able to pack our bags and head to Rome to visit the Holy Door. For this reason, the Church designated pilgrimage sites all over the world. For many of us, there are places close to home! These hundreds of churches and sacred locations allow the faithful to participate in the special blessings and indulgences of Jubilee 2025 through intentional prayer, reception of the sacraments, and profession of our faith. More information about the Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage sites can be found on the USCCB’s website (https://www.usccb.org/jubilee2025/pilgrimage-sites-us).

The people of God have been called on journeys throughout all of salvation history. The first step of that spiritual journey is deciding to go and choosing to set aside that time and space to walk with Jesus, desiring to grow closer to his heart. We invite you to consider how you can participate in a spirit of pilgrimage in your own walk with God—opening the doors of your heart in hope and unity as you grow in your love for God and having the courage to face the challenges of the world today.

(Check out the official website for Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html)

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