Jubilee Year 2025 – ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Launch

Led by the RE Council, we learnt that this Jubilee Year is a landmark moment in the life of the global church. School communities are invited to join together as pilgrims of hope, pledging to work together for God’s kingdom of justice, peace and love.

Pope Francis has asked us to keep deep faith, lively hope and active charity. This means he wants each one of us to celebrate this year by trusting in God, looking forward with hope, and showing love to others through kind and caring actions.

We learnt what the Jubilee Year logo represents:

•The cross: The large cross at the centre reminds us of Jesus, and is a symbol of faith and hope.

•The people: The four figures represent all people on earth. Their arms are around each other to show solidarity and friendship, and that we should be one, united global family.

•The waves: The flowing waves symbolise our pilgrimage together and that life’s journey is not always smooth, sometimes the journey can be rough and challenging

•The anchor: The anchor is a symbol of hope. It steadies ships during storms and rough weather

We reflected on the Gospel (Luke 4: 16) and spent time in sacred silence thinking of how we can help to share the light of hope and the message of God’s love, this coming year and beyond.

Our Celebration ended with us all saying the ‘Pilgrimage of Hope prayer for schools together.

God, our loving Father,

In this Jubilee year, you remind us of our call to love creation.

Help us to work together to replant, repair, and renew.

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope.

Jesus, our light,

In this Jubilee year, you remind us of our call to love our neighbours and to set free those who suffer.

Help us to treat everyone with dignity; to be fair, forgiving and kind.

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope.

Holy Spirit, our inspiration,

In this Jubilee year, you remind us of our call to grow in faith and love.

Help us to hear you in scripture, to see Jesus in others, and to be united as God’s global family.

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope.

Amen

We have been invited to take time out to reflect on our mission as Catholic school communities, and to recommit to ensure a just and fair world for all our sisters and brothers. It is a chance for us to deepen our faith, shine the light of hope and take a pledge to build a better world together, so that everyone can live life to the full.

Every pupil in school has written their own ‘Pilgrimage Pledge’ on a print of their foot saying how they are going to live out the Pope’s mission during this year.

These are all on display in the school hall, do come and have a look!