WelCom May 2024
Pope Francis has declared 2025 as a year of Jubilee. The theme is Pilgrims of Hope, giving voice to his desire for the year to foster a greater sense of global sisterhood and brotherhood, solidarity with the poor, and care for the environment.
Internationally, preparations for Jubilee 2025 are underway. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation has developed resources online at www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html. The Dicastery has asked local bishops’ conferences to promote these resources and to collaborate in the preparation of local opportunities.
In response, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops have created an informative, indexed webpage dedicated to Jubilee 2025. Everyone is invited to visit this webpage at catholic.org.nz/about-us/jubilee-year-2025/ to explore the contents and become familiar with what is planned for the Jubilee. The page will be updated regularly.
The bishops’ webpage contains background information, links to online resources and links to other websites for wider coverage. Included is advice and guidance for people planning to travel to Italy next year for the pilgrimage, which is part of the Jubilee 2025 year.
During 2024, the focus for the People of God is on prayer and study. In 2025 the focus shifts to the People of God making a Pilgrimage of Hope.
People in each diocese will be invited separately to identify representatives to meet with the Jubilee National Delegate, Catherine Gibbs, to develop local responses to this hope-filled event.
More details about the Jubilee Year will be available when Pope Francis publishes his special Papal Bull about it. The Papal Bull, expected this month, will be published on the NZCBC Jubilee 2025 webpage.
‘The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope.’ – Pope Francis