One in Prayer: The Youth as Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis declared 2025 as a Jubilee Year with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. This marks an important celebration of repentance and mercy as well as a chance for the Youth to reconnect with the Lord.

It has been 25 years since the last Jubilee. It was headed by St. John Paul II in the year 2000. According to Leviticus 25, Jubilee is a year of atonement and mercy. It’s a time of conversion and forgiveness. It’s a period set apart for the Lord, when He extends plentiful graces to all of His people. During a Jubilee, which is an exceptional period of grace, the Catholic Church allows its followers to enjoy a plenary indulgence, or the forgiveness of sins, for themselves or their departed loved ones.

The Holy Door is opened during Jubilee years. Jubilee years are the only times this door is opened. To symbolize the Church’s open arms to her wounded yet cherished faithful, the door at St. Peter’s will be opened. Praying pilgrims receive blessings simply by entering through the door. They can also receive the Jubilee plenary indulgence by engaging in a few more devotions, confession and prayer.

This coming July 28, 2025; the Church celebrates the Jubilee of the Youth. Young people between the ages of 15 and 35 come together in Rome to rejoice and exchange blessings with our Holy Father and one another.

With this, the JMJYouth collaborates with the Vatican Dicastery of Evangelization to host events during the Jubilee of the Youth. This will take place on July 28-August 3, 2025. They will also offer their pilgrimage throughout this graceful year.

The Jubilee of Youth will feature two events, one with the relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis and the other with those of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Specifics for the event are still being finalized.

The youth are encouraged to be one in prayer as the celebration approaches. Although not everyone has the resources to attend the activities at Rome, the intention to repent is more than enough. Through constant prayer, confession, and abstinence; the youth will be able to feel the Jubilee in their daily lives and live out the will of God.

The determination to repent and believe in the hope of salvation is a core aspect of the Jubilee. Let us be fellow pilgrims in our path towards the Lord. (Leiyan Gudio | ACD Immersionist)