Pilgrims of Hope: The Jubilee Year and the Church’s Synodal Journey
The Church has already commenced its celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025, which began with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door on 24 December. Already, Rome is a beehive of activities as it prepares to welcome millions of pilgrims for this year-long event that brings together faith and tradition. The Jubilee calendar is packed full of events, with several groups – priests, youths, artists, and athletes – planning special Jubilee events throughout the year.
For this ordinary Jubilee, Pope Francis has chosen the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, reminding the Church that hope does not disappoint or deceive, and nothing can separate us from the love of God.
In this interview, Sr Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, reminds us of a special link between the Jubilee Year celebration and the synodal journey of the Church. She says that the synodal approach fosters hope amidst challenges, encourages dialogue across diverse backgrounds, and ultimately seeks to renew the Church through shared discernment and unity.
Sr Becquart, a French nun, is the first female undersecretary of the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops.
Evoking the image of pilgrims who will journey together to visit Rome during the Jubilee Year, she says that the Church, too, is called to journey as one as it discerns how to bear fruit and carry out its mission in the world.
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